SAN DIEGO, Dec. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Marijuana Inc. (OTC: MJNA) is the first publicly held company vested in the medical marijuana and industrial hemp industries. The company is comprised of a diversified portfolio of hemp and cannabis based businesses. These businesses range from hydroponic stores, to pharmaceutical compounds derived legally from the hemp plant. The company has gone through many changes over the course of the past few years, some expected and some unexpected due to the nature of rapidly changing legal and political environments that surround marijuana and hemp in the United States. This ability to change has been one of the corner stones of MJNA's success in laying a much stronger foundation from which the industry can prosper.
At MJNA's inception, its focus was on providing educational seminars on medical marijuana and supporting the industry through technology, with its patent pending tax remittance card and compliance tracking software. Today the company has made significant advancements within a challenging industry. In the beginning MJNA's market was made up of mom and pop dispensaries, collectives and trade shows, which were seen as the "hot gold rushes". Like many rapidly emerging industries, it seemed as if every ancillary business was a good investment opportunity. Today however, MJNA has honed its focus on several aspects of the medicinal and industrial markets and has laid a solid foundation for its growth worldwide.
To understand the future of industrial hemp and medical cannabis, we must first look to the past. Hemp has been cultivated for thousands of years and has over fifty five thousand known uses, such as a building material, food, fuel, and medicine. The plant can be grown without the use of harmful and costly pesticides, herbicides and uses less nutrients and water than crops grown for similar purpose. Hemp can be grown sustainably, economically and will even play a key role in the future carbon credit markets, being that it can be grown and processed into products using carbon negative processes.
To understand those uses in more depth please visit the following:
Hemp Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp
Cannabis Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis
Hemp Commodity:
http://www.agmrc.org/commodities__products/fiber/industrial_hemp.cfm
State Legalization Efforts:
Over the course of 2011, the marijuana industry has had many significant positive changes, though it may seem hard to find those positives among the flurry of negative articles written about marijuana dispensaries being raided and the disagreements over city zoning issues. This year however has set a very positive foundation for the future development of this rapidly emerging borderless medical industry, which we believe is leading the way in revolutionary medical treatments and innovation. There were too many positives to list worldwide so we decided to put some of the critical ones in this address.
The most significant change in the marijuana industry truly has come from the general public's perception and acceptance on the medical use and legalization of marijuana. This positive change in view shows how time has been on our side and shall continue to be. Time has benefited the industry and should continue to do well with the patient investor.
Gallup Poll Shows 70% approval rating for medical marijuana use
http://www.gallup.com/poll/150149/Record-High-Americans-Favor-Legalizing-Marijuana.aspx
Federal Bill introduced to reschedule marijuana
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-2306
United States Governors ban together to ask Federal Government to reclassify Marijuana to Schedule II
Israel Approves Medical Marijuana
http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2011/aug/07/israel_cabinet_approves_medical
Global Commission on Drug Policy recommends legalizing Marijuana
Attorney General Eric Holder confirms Federal Government will not target state legal medical marijuana providers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DCNutE9nUVk
Federal Governments Comments on medical benefits of marijuana, and the following US Department of Health. Marking it impossible for Federal Government to deny medical benefits
United States Industrial Hemp and Medical Marijuana Information
-LEGAL STATES FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA
16 States, along with Washington D.C., have enacted laws to legalize Medical Marijuana.
Chronological Order of States Passing Medical Marijuana Legislation
California – 1996
Alaska – 1998
Oregon – 1998
Washington – 1998
Maine – 1999
Colorado – 2000
Hawaii – 2000
Nevada – 2000
Montana – 2004
Vermont – 2004
Rhode Island – 2006
New Mexico – 2007
Michigan – 2008
Arizona – 2010
Washington DC – 2010
New Jersey – 2010
Delaware – 2011
-STATES WITH PENDING LEGISLATION FOR LEGALIZING MEDICAL MARIJUANA
There are 6 States that have pending legislation for the legalization of Medical Marijuana during 2011.
Illinois
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
To acquire and read this information, you can find it at http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002481
-STATES THAT PASSED 2011 LEGISLATION REGARDING MEDICAL MARIJUANA
2 States passed legislation regarding Medical Marijuana in 2011.
Delaware – The purpose of this act is to protect patients with debilitating medical conditions, as well as their physicians and providers, from arrest and prosecution, criminal and other penalties, and property forfeiture if such patients engage in the medical use of marijuana.
Maryland – This bill established an affirmative defense for people arrested on possession of no more than one ounce of marijuana who have a "debilitating medical condition" that is "severe and resistant to conventional medicine". The bill also created a Work Group to develop recommendations for a ''model program to facilitate patients access to marijuana for medical purposes".
To acquire and read this information, you can find it at http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002481
-HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BILL 2306
On June 23, 2011, U.S. Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass) and Ron Paul (R-Texas) introduced a bill to Congress in order to end the prohibition of marijuana. Ultimately, the goal of this bill was not to legalize marijuana across the country, but more so along the lines of removing marijuana from the list of federally controlled substances while allowing states to determine how they would regulate it. This would end the confusion of the patients, caregivers, and dispensary owners whom have been prosecuted, arrested, or harassed by the federal government although they may have been abiding by the laws and regulations of states that have legalized the use of medicinal marijuana.
To acquire and read this information, you can find it at
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-2306
-STATES THAT HAVE PRO HEMP LAWS
17 States that have Pro Hemp Laws
Chronological Order of States Passing Hemp Cultivation Laws
Vermont – 1996
North Dakota – 1997
Arkansas – 1999
California – 1999
Illinois – 1999
Minnesota – 1999
North Dakota – 1999
Virginia – 1999
Maryland – 2000
Hawaii – 2001
Kentucky – 2001
Montana – 2001
West Virginia – 2002
Maine – 2003
North Carolina – 2006
New Mexico – 2007
Vermont – 2008
Maine – 2009
Oregon – 2009
Colorado – 2010
Marijuana Medical Research
Over the course of the past few years we have found many exciting medical benefits from cannabis. Here are a few studies we have compiled in this area. Please keep in mind that MJNA does not make any medical claims of use as a treatment, preventative or as a cure for any disease. We simply provide products that can be used in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and supplements.
CANCER |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2806496/ |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20053780 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16728591* |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21566064 |
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http://www.ukcia.org/research/AntineoplasticActivityOfCannabinoids/index.php |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18833429 |
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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1038/sj.bjp.0706134/full |
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ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15030397 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18833429 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21350020 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2190031/ |
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PARKINSON'S DISEASE |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18801821 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3793381 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18833429 |
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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006322306010663 |
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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2003.02327.x/full |
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DIABETES |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2925907/ |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2228254/ |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2270485/ |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18035205 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2955420/ |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18035205 |
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ARTHRITIS |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18833429 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC16904/ |
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MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS |
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http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/ww_en_db_study_show.php?s_id=36 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18035205 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21449980 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793241/ |
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LEUKEMIA |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16754784 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14692532 |
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SCHIZOPHRENIA |
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http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/ww_en_db_study_show.php?s_id=171 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16612464 |
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RETINAL DAMAGE |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2592995/ |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18035205 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16988594 |
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CROHM'S DISEASE (IBS) |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2451037/ |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19690824 |
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ANTI-DEPRESSANT |
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DEPRESSION |
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OVERCOMING HEROIN |
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19940171 |
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ADDICTION |
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2829756/ |
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ANTIOXIDANT |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC20965/ |
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ANTI-INFLAMMATORY |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2189767/ |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3034694/ |
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REDUCES NEGATIVE EFFECT OF CHEMO |
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NAUSEA AND PAIN |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18833429 |
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ANTI-ANXIETY |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19124693 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20829306 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19133999 |
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OBESITY |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21172406 |
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LIVER DISORDERS |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21182490 |
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PREVENTS STROKE |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15845890 |
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TUMORS |
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18035205 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14617682 |
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NEUROPROTECTANT |
Also includes Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Epilepsy studies |
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http://intramural.nimh.nih.gov/lcmr/smn/pdf/15878999.pdf |
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http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=21203 |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21182490 |
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DYSTONIA |
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http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/ww_en_db_study_show.php?s_id=14 |
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EARLY MORNING DISORDER |
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http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/ww_en_db_study_show.php?s_id=223 |
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EPILEPSY |
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http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/ww_en_db_study_show.php?s_id=173 |
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CENTRAL NERVOUS |
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SYSTEM DISORDER |
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18844286 |
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CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE |
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2697769/ |
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Cannabidiol (CBD Overview) |
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http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1516-44462008000300015&script=sci_arttext |
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http://search.usa.gov/search?v:project=firstgov-web&query=cannabidiol |
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Marijuana and Cannabidiol (CBD) Video
Listed are several videos that are of interest. Notice how fragmented this market is, there is not a single source for studies, research, videos and literature. MJNA will seek to utilize the opportunity in that fragmentation.
GW Pharmaceuticals |
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Breast Cancer |
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNerRVJklsg&feature=player_embedded |
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Cannabinoids |
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Endocannabinoids |
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Cannabinoid Science |
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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xhwt3w_medical-marijuana-the-science_tech |
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Anti-tumor properties of Cannabinoids |
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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xhwt65_anti-tumor-properties-of-cannabinoids_tech |
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Cannabinoids as Neuroprotectant |
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Cannabinoids in Alzheimer's |
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According to research, various extracts have shown to have positive effects on ailments. The following are potential cannabis and hemp based pharmaceutical opportunities that can be partially captured by MJNA. Please keep in mind the below illustrates the potential medical aspects of cannabis and hemp, it does not include the industrial applications.
Aids |
$12.6 |
$12.6 Billion in 2010 within the US market alone. |
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Alzheimer's |
$8.3 |
The global Alzheimer's disease treatment market was valued at $8.3 billion in 2010 $9.0 billion by 2016. |
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Anti - Aging |
$50.0 |
Currently topping out around $50 billion a year. Global Anti-Aging Products Market to Reach $291.9 Billion by 2015. |
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Asthma |
$25.0 |
Overall sales in the asthma and COPD drugs market were worth $25 billion in 2008, and increased to an estimated $26 billion in 2009. |
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Arthritis |
$35.0 |
The global market for arthritis drugs was worth $35 billion in 2008. |
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Autism |
$22.0 |
Antipsychotics are among the biggest selling and most profitable of all drugs, generating $22 billion in global sales in 2008. |
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Cancer |
$75.0 |
Global sales of cancer drugs will grow at a compounded annual rate of 12 to 15 percent, reaching $75 to $80 billion by 2012. |
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Chronic Pain Management |
$22.0 |
The global pain market recorded sales of $22.0 billion in 2010. |
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Diabetes |
$25.0 |
In 2009, the diabetes treatment market generated worldwide sales of over $25 billion. |
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Digestive Diseases |
$6.0 |
The global market for medical enzymes is estimated at $6 billion in 2010. |
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Glaucoma |
$14.0 |
Over $14 billion in 2009 The global glaucoma pharmaceuticals market. |
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High Blood Pressure |
$25.0 |
The Prescription drug market for the treatment of Hypertension is to continue to rise in value from the $25 billion market. |
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Influenza |
$28.0 |
In 2009, the global market for antiviral drugs surpassed $28 billion. |
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Multiple Sclerosis |
$8.0 |
The multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments market is one of the largest for CNS disorders, with total pharmaceutical revenues of over $8 billion in 2009. |
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PTSD |
$72.0 |
$72 billion from top ten drug sales. |
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MJNA has a strategic unparalleled advantage to capitalize on this market in the form of its partnership with CannaBANK ("CB"), a global hemp investment firm specializing in the capitalization, development and acquisition of hemp based businesses. These companies have a broad, diverse and significant shareholder base. CB's parent company is Hemp Deposit and Distribution Corporation which is a major shareholder of MJNA. Strategically this is advantageous to the company because CB locates, capitalizes and covers the majority of the expense in sourcing and developing these companies from due diligence through acquisition. Once developed, the asset is then transferred to the MJNA portfolio. To date CB has one of the most extensive databases of national and international marijuana and hemp laws, bands, moratoriums, approval processes, licensing requirements and the history within each country, state, county and city. The company actively tracks more than one hundred and fifty public and private companies who have expressed interest in, have invested in or are developing hemp based products. Its database also includes over five thousand hydroponic stores, three thousand dispensaries, collectives and delivery services as well as other supporting businesses such as online sales sites.
MJNA currently has the following divisions and subsidiaries;
The Hemp Network ("THN") is a division of MJNA that sells hemp products directly to thousands of hemp network distributors. The company, since a change in management had occurred, has been upgrading its website, sales tools, communication managers and product array for the re-launch of The Hemp Network 2.0 in the first quarter of 2012. THN has five proprietary products and is currently in negotiations to acquire several other online hemp sales and community sites, these sites, products and members will be integrated into THN portfolio, enabling THN to expand its product and distributor base significantly. Membership benefits include an affiliate option, a multi-level marketing option where members can earn an income from buying and selling products. THN also serve as a platform from which other products from other companies can be launched.
HEMP Compounds ("HC") is a division of MJNA focused on the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical and nutraceutical raw materials market. The division is actively sourcing specific hemp genetic profiles. These profiles include hemp strains with low or no Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) properties, to strains with high levels of Cannabidiol (CBD). HC is currently negotiating the purchase of several proprietary genetically altered varieties as well as the agricultural production facilities. The HC materials can then be added to existing products sold to or through THN, or directly to pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies. In conjunction with CB, HC is in the final stages of negotiations for the purchase of additional suppliers of genetics and the raw base material for additional production it the hemp based compounds such as Cannabidiol (CBD).
MMI Technology ("MMIT") is seeking investment opportunities in cloud based information technology solutions, sales sites and feeder sites specifically in for the cannabis and hemp industry. Leveraging CB's in depth database on all subjects related to hemp and cannabis. MMIT is working with strategic partners to develop the most comprehensive information source ranging from hemp and cannabis strain usage, crop cost, crop cycles, history of genetics, origins of genetics, efficacy, strain stability, climate and yields. MMIT is currently in negotiations for the acquisition and roll up of several technology solutions that are serving the needs of the medical and industrial hemp markets. In addition to the cloud base information solutions MMIT is also negotiating the purchase of several online sales sites that service the equipment, product, and hydroponic markets.
MMI Biotechnology ("MMIB") seeks acquisition opportunities in biotechnology and equipment that service the needs of the hemp agricultural and medicinal technology industry. This includes hemp extraction methods, processes techniques, technology as well as equipment. In conjunction with CB, MMIB currently has an equipment development and manufacturing company it is underwriting for a possible purchase.
Wellness Managed Services ("WMS") is a wholly owned subsidiary of MJNA that acquires management services contracts for medical clinics and is currently under contract to purchase several hydroponic stores. The sellers of the stores have a few options: one option is to stay on as a store partner-operator, the second option is to sell the store completely and be hired on as a manager and the last is to simply sell the store to WMS without any long term management requirements. Once acquired WMS will control its supply, technology, accounting, marketing, advertising and most important its purchasing power. WMS stores will have a significant advantage over non WMS stores, because WMS stores will have a single source for purchasing products and will receive a larger discount price from a single or small franchise chain, WMS will be able to offer a wider selection of products. The stores will have joint inventory management systems, joint online sales site and as MMIT acquires additional online sales sites and feeder sites, those sales, products and services will eventually be funneled to the WMS online sales site which jointly handles inventory, financing and shipping. WMS currently has two medical management contracts, the first has nearly seven thousand patients, and the second has nearly twelve hundred patients. WMS is actively negotiating additional agreements.
CannaFuel is currently underwriting several hemp bio-fuel and alternative to coal burning bio-mass opportunities. It is important to note that as we develop our other businesses, such as HEMP compounds or products developed for THN, the waste produced is a high-value bio-mass, which yields when converted to bio-fuel nearly three times as much per acre as conventional corn based ethanol. As well as being a high value bio-mass product for bio-fuel, this waste also is a great alternative to the coal fire energy plants. Coal with its non-renewable, non-sustainable and non-ecofriendly attributes can be replaced by a renewable, sustainable, ecofriendly and even in some cases carbon negative, hemp.
The Pet Hemp Emporium ("TPHE") is a division of MJNA that has developed and owns everyday pet products, consisting of everything from hemp leashes to hemp beds and hemp based bio plastics that are much more suitable for pet use then conventional products that are petroleum (oil) based. The company is in negotiations with several online retailers of hemp animal products as well as the manufacturer of these products.
One of the most exciting aspects of this industry is the fact that it already exists. This is not a new industry, but one that has been around for thousands of years, we have taken the time to understand the applications of marijuana and hemp, from its medical properties to its industrial applications, from legal process to political hurdles, and have chosen a very straight forward approach to investing in this industry. We are acquiring and developing businesses that already exist and support the industry. We do not see the negative headlines on marijuana dispensaries as a deterrent to investing in legally produced hemp products. We actually see this constant negative as a positive for MJNA's growth, because it deters others from looking past the surface of the industry and allows MJNA to purchase these cash flow positive businesses without real competition. The market is fractured, an example is that there is over five thousand hydroponics stores worldwide and no major chain, there are millions of patients and little to no services, there are only a hand full of builders using industrial hemp to build, yet it is the most sustainable ecofriendly building material, the largest in the industry currently only does four and a half million dollars per year. What all of these businesses have in common is the fact that hemp is used, its growing in demand and there is not a centralized vehicle in which the industry can grow, we believe that MJNA is that vehicle as do the partners from CannaBANK and the shareholders that have invested thus far.
Over the course of the coming months there is much to expect in terms of growth and communication, we have set the stage over the past eight months for what is ahead. To sign up for our corporate communication manager to receive all of the update to date information please log onto our face book page and join our mailing list.
Corporate Office
Medical Marijuana Inc.
2665 Ariane Drive Suite 207
San Diego, CA 92117
Toll Free: 888-OTC-MJNA (888-682-6562)
Facsimile: 888-651-0349
www.medicalmarijuanainc.com
www.facebook.com/mjnainc
Investor Relations Contact
Equiti-Trend Advisors, LLC
Carmel Valley Center II
11995 El Camino Real, Suite 301
San Diego, CA 92130
(800) 953-3350
[email protected]
www.equititrend.com
Corporate Legal Contact
Law Offices of Michael Corrigan
Michael Corrigan
Carmel Valley Centre II
11995 El Camino Real, Suite 301
San Diego, CA, 92130
(858) 436-3368
[email protected]
We want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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.
SOURCE Medical Marijuana Inc.
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