MJNA’s Investments Support Development of New Cannabis-Based Medications and Delivery Methods; Developments Further the Reintroduction of Cannabis Medications Globally
SAN DIEGO, CA — April 20, 2016 — Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA) is pleased to announce that the “Company of Firsts” investments are actively fostering cannabis-based drug development and creation of new, innovative medicine delivery methods. These results are intended to expedite the historic reintroduction of cannabis-based medications into U.S. and global healthcare systems.
Medical Marijuana, Inc. is placing its investment resources toward research and development of drugs derived from cannabis for distribution as pharmaceutical products. The collective results have the potential to impact hundreds of millions of lives around the world. One groundbreaking cannabis- derived medical product to enter clinical trials conducted by investment portfolio company AXIM® may be on the market as soon as 2017, according to a recent report by Reuters.
MJNA’s Investment in Kannalife Helps Advance Research in Cannabinoid Based Therapeutics Kannalife™, an MJNA investment company, currently holds two licenses with National Institutes of Health for U.S. Patent 6,630,507 “Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants.” These licenses are currently in use by Kannalife™ to develop novel therapeutic drugs to treat chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and hepatic encephalopathy (HE).
Kannalife’s scientific team has researched the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on non-differentiated native neuronal cells and has determined cannabidiol’s potential as a target drug candidate to treat oxidative stress-related disorders, CBD’s therapeutic index, and CBD’s limitations in pharmaceutical target drug design.
In tandem with its findings on CBD, Kannalife™ has developed a new cannabidiol-like molecule called KLS-13019 that, through pre-clinical testing and pharmacokinetic (PK) studies, indicates improvement over CBD’s role as a neuroprotectant through increased potency, as well as potential for greater safety through reduced toxicity. Side-by-side comparisons between CBD and KLS-13019 have also shown that KLS-13019 has marked improvements over CBD in oral bioavailability, CNS penetration, blood-plasma concentrations, and cognitive improvement in murine behavioral models.
The abstract, as well as the purchase of the full version of the publication on the Discovery of KLS- 13019 is available online at: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.6b00009.
Medical Marijuana, Inc. provided $1.5 million in Series A funding to Kannalife Sciences, Inc. in March of 2013. In addition, MJNA owns 16.4 percent of Kannalife Sciences, Inc.
MJNA Funds New Medicine Delivery Methods
In May 2015, MJNA’s joint venture, CanChew® Biotechnologies, LLC (CanChew®) was issued the world’s first patent on cannabinoid controlled-release chewing gum. The exclusive agreement to bring a new medical product, MedChew RX™, to market is held by AXIM® Biotechnologies, Inc. (OTC: AXIM), an MJNA investment. AXIM® holds additional intellectual property (IP) that will innovate the way that cannabis-based medicines are manufactured from seed to product and taken by patients worldwide.
MedChew RX™ is on schedule to begin clinical trials in The Netherlands for pain and spasticity for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). According to a global news report by Reuters, AXIM® may be able to bring MedChew RX™ to market as both a ground-breaking new cannabinoid (THC/CBD) controlled-release chewing gum and new patented medicine delivery method as early as 2017.
The mission of AXIM® is to develop solutions for conditions that have no known cure; presently there are 15 conditions identified including: MS, spasticity, pain, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease/dementia, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), psychosis, PTSD, autism, RLS (restless leg syndrome), glaucoma, IBD, IBS, and Crohn’s disease.
AXIM® Biotech is a significant investment company for Medical Marijuana, Inc.. MJNA Investment Holdings, LLC holds 14,943,650 shares of common stock and 500,000 shares of preferred stock in the cutting-edge biotechnology innovator.
MJNA Empowers Global Cannabis Healthcare Reform
While cannabis remains illegal in Brazil and hemp not legal to grow, a landmark decision by a Federal Judge in 2014 approved the import of MJNA’s CBD hemp oil product, RSHO™, for a Brazilian child, Anny Fischer, deeming it “inhumane” to keep it from her. Afterward, the Brazilian government expanded its approval to include any individual with a medical recommendation and authorization to import under the indication of Refractory Epilepsy. The program has gone so well, that ANVISA then authorized two additional indications: Parkinson’s disease, and chronic pain, including migraine headache. Additional indications are expected in the months ahead.
The Brazilian government is now waiving import taxes, subsidizing the cost of RSHO™, and covering the product under health insurance. With more than 248 million residents, Brazil represents the 7th largest economy in the world and is providing a blueprint for success when it comes to cannabis law reform.
At UNGASS 2016, Mexico’s President made the historic announcement that the country is moving toward legalizing medical marijuana. Details are expected later this week.
Earlier this year, in February, Mexico’s government’s health agency COFEPRIS issued the nation’s first permits to individuals to access CBD hemp oil. In the press release issued by COFEPRIS, MJNA’s CBD hemp oil product, RSHO-X™, was specified. These permits open the door for any of Mexico’s 120 million residents wishing to access RSHO-X™ to do so with a doctor’s prescription and an import permit from COFEPRIS. HempMeds® Mexico took place in all of the country’s public debates on medical marijuana law reform.
MJNA Investments – Catalysts to Affordable Healthcare
The diagnosis and economic burden of the health indications previously described, in order of least to most impacted in the U.S., are:
Parkinson’s disease –
Approximately 1 million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease
Estimated seven to 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s disease
Combined direct and indirect cost of Parkinson’s, including treatment, social security payments and lost income from inability to work, is estimated to be nearly $25 billion per year in the United States alone
Medication costs for an individual person with PD average $2,500 a year, and therapeutic surgery can cost up to $100,000 dollars per patient
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
1.7 million people in the U.S. sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually
$60 billion annually in the United States
Epilepsy –
For general epilepsy, US direct healthcare costs per person ranged from $10,192 to
$47,862
5.1 million people in the United States have had a diagnosis of epilepsy or a seizure disorder
Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE)
U.S. hospitalizations for hepatic encephalopathy range from $1-7 billion per year
Hepatic encephalopathy is most often associated with cirrhosis, which is estimated to affect 5.5 million people in the United States
Chronic pain –
Pain is a significant public health problem that costs society at least $560-$635 billion annually
100 million Americans and 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from chronic pain
Pain in just MS patients – $4.8 billion market in USA
Note: Medical Marijuana, Inc. does not make any claims about its products or brands.
Cannabis has a robust history in healthcare dating back to 2737 BC. After succumbing to negative marketing propaganda, it was removed from the U.S. Pharmacopoeia in 1936. Research has shown that cannabinoids (THC, THCV, CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC) have an impact on health and wellness.
Currently research is ongoing on various indications and conditions including:
• Protects against cancer
• Reduces nausea
• Pain reliever
• Causes drowsiness
• Increases appetite
• Decreases appetite
• Relieves spasms
• Decreases seizures
• Reduces anxiety
• Muscle relaxant
• Antimicrobial
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Protects nervous system
• Anti-diabetic
• Improves blood circulation
• Lowers blood pressure
• Relieves psoriasis
• Relieves Crohn’s disease
• Anti-inflammatory
• Bone stimulant
• Relieves rheumatoid arthritis
• Antioxidant
Dr. Stuart Titus, CEO of Medical Marijuana, Inc. states, “We are extremely proud of our investments that will spearhead the reintroduction of cannabis-based options in global healthcare. Our vision of affordable healthcare is starting with less costly, commercially produced retail cannabis-based products. Then, if necessary, progressing to allopathic solutions that will soon include cannabis- derived pharmaceuticals. The goal of these new advances in cannabis-based medicine – and the reintroduction of cannabis in healthcare – is to leave an indelible mark on the healthcare industry.”
Titus concludes, “April 20th is a day that the U.S. recognizes cannabis and simply refers to it as ‘420.’ It is extremely important to note that the United States has reached the ‘tipping point’ in cannabis acceptance with 42 states, district or territories with some form of cannabis law. In terms of U.S. population, 51.26% have access to medical marijuana. As world cannabis (marijuana and hemp) legalization efforts continue, may we reflect on how far we have come and continue to work toward the common goal of global cannabis access.”
Medical Marijuana, Inc. looks forward to updating the public and shareholders in the days ahead. For more information on Medical Marijuana, Inc. and the portfolio company brands that it promotes, visit the Company website.
About Medical Marijuana Inc.
The mission of Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA) is to be the premier hemp industry innovator, leveraging our team of professionals to source, evaluate and purchase value-added companies and products, while allowing them to keep their integrity and entrepreneurial spirit. We strive to create awareness within our industry, develop environmentally-friendly, economically sustainable businesses, while increasing shareholder value.
For more information, please visit the company’s website at: www.MedicalMarijuanaInc.com.
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) DISCLOSURE
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Medical Marijuana, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein.
LEGAL DISCLOSURE
Medical Marijuana Inc. and HempMeds® do not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US.CSA). These companies do grow, sell, and distribute hemp-based products and are involved with the federally legal distribution of medical marijuana-based products within certain international markets. Cannabidiol is a natural constituent of hemp oil.
For further information, please contact: Public Relations contact:
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Investor Relations: Nicholas R. Massalas
Director of Business Development Medical Marijuana Inc.
OTC Symbol: MJNA
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Email: [email protected]
