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BioHarvest Sciences CEO Ilan Sobel: Pioneering Plant Cell Biology for Cannabis.

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Ilan Sobel, CEO of Israeli/Canadian biotech innovator BioHarvest Sciences, believes his company has created a better way to grow major and minor cannabinoids. The company has developed a patented bio-cell growth platform technology capable of growing the active and beneficial ingredients in fruit and plants, at industrial scale, without the need to grow the plant itself. This technology is economical, ensures consistency, and avoids the negative environmental impacts associated with traditional agriculture. BioHarvest is currently focused on nutraceuticals and the medicinal cannabis markets.
By David Rheins

David Rheins: Welcome to another edition of Marijuana Channel One. It is my pleasure this morning to talk to the CEO of BioHarvest Sciences, Ilan Sobel.  Thank you for joining us today.

Ilan Sobel: David, it is an absolute pleasure to be on your network and on your show.

DR: So you are in Israel, and BioHarvest Sciences is an Israeli/Canadian company, is that right?

IS: We are listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange.  We are listed on the OTCQB, and our R&D activities are largely done here in Israel.  But, I am actually happy to say we are right now doing some pretty interesting R&D in Canada, as well, with one of our partners there. So it is basically bringing the two countries closer together, and I guess that is what Canada has done with many Israeli cannabis companies and the opportunities that the Canadian market and the Canadian exchanges provide companies like ourselves. It is a good win/win.

DR: So, I want to hear more about BioHarvest Sciences. You know, it is interesting for us in the US [that] the Israeli cannabis market has really been hyper-focused on medical cannabis, and has unlike the US, really from the get-go worked with universities and medical institutions and hardcore scientific research — despite the fact that we have had international prohibition — and now those investments have started to pay off as international law, and cannabis is becoming more mainstreamed.

DR: Tell me a little bit about BioHarvest Sciences and its evolution.

IS: Well, what is interesting is that we are not a cannabis company. We are a biotech company, with platform technology.  And, in fact, we are the global leaders in plant cell biology. We have been doing this since 2007 — so that is 15 years of building expertise in capabilities,  And with that expertise and capabilities, David, we have built the capabilities to unlock the secrets of cellular plant biology better than any other company in the world.

Now, what does that mean to the viewer out there? What it means is that we have a platform technology where we are able to take any plant out there — and God gave us 500,000 plants on day three of creating the world, one of those was the cannabis plant — we can take any of those plants that each contain critical phytomedicinal compounds, so that could be polyphenols, many people in America understand antioxidants, and of course, cannabinoids.

So, [with] our technology we are able to literally take the plant once, and we take cells from the plant throughout the plant’s growth life cycle.  And we take cells from all parts of the plant, and we have developed this unique AI expertise where we can actually look at all the millions of cells and we can figure out which cells are the really smart cells — [the ones] that are responsible for eliciting the critical phytomedicinal compounds: polyphenols, antioxidants, and cannabinoids.

We take those cells, and we grow those cells in solid media — in a petri dish. And, over time, we have developed this unique technology where we are able to take those cells and grow them in massive industrial scale bioreactors. And if you think about what an industrial scale bioreactor look like…I am not going to stand up here, but I am 6 foot 2. They are 7 foot high, maybe 1.5 meters wide, and each of these bioreactors can produce from the cells.

We have in the case of cannabis, been able to really break biological barriers, and to create biological history.  And, we were able to ensure that every cell was able to grow a trichome.  And we all know [that] the trichome is the most important part of the plant — the mini factory that produces the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids.

Biomass produces from BioHarvest Sciences bioreactors is 93% trichomes

So, inside our bioreactors, the cells grow trichomes. Inside our bioreactors we produce, today, 93% trichomes. Every 3 weeks, on average, we produce 8 to 9 kilos of bubble hash in one of these bioreactors, because we are in perpetual flowering. We don’t go through the regular stages that you go through [with traditional agriculture]: from vegetation,  grow cycle, into flowering and [harvest], and you start from the beginning [each crop]. That [cycle takes], in the best multi-state operators, 12 to 16 weeks let’s say.  Now we don’t have to deal with that, because we have figured out how to get the cells of the most important parts to grow the trichomes, and then like I said, we are in perpetual flowering.  And we harvest every 3 weeks the actual material, which is literally the trichomes.

We dry it with special technology, and you are left with this our biomass (holding up jar of biomass) as the audience can see here.

DR: Let me ask you the question [that our readers want to know]: Is what you are talking about really a synthetic process?

IS: No, no, no, no!  You can see how you can see how upset I got there! We are the antithesis of biosynthesis, or synthesis.  Our process, basically, is a non-GMO process. We do not in any way shape or form we do not change the actual structural molecular composition of the actual cells themselves, therefore we are non-GMO.

“We are the antithesis of biosynthesis, or synthesis.  Our process, basically, is a non-GMO process. We do not in any way shape or form change the actual structural molecular composition of the actual cells themselves, therefore we are non-GMO.”

And that’s why this material that we produce, and we are the only company in the world that can grow trichomes in liquid media, in a way that we are really bringing the power of full-spectrum cannabis together with obviously multiple cannabinoids and the power of technology.

We are able — through altering the conditions — we can actually ‘fine tune’ our cannabinoids, which allows us to get actual, let’s call it ‘certificates of analysis’ that you will never find with a regular agriculturally-grown, traditionally-grown, indoor-grown, cannabis plants.

We demonstrated that about three months ago, when we shared a certificate of analysis where we showed how we took a hemp plant — and we did this to just to show the gravity in the magnitude of the technology —  where we took a hemp plant, which had roughly 3% of CBD, obviously no THC,  and we took that plant we put it through our system.  And through our technology, we are able to increase significantly the levels of the cannabinoids.  We came up with a proposition, which went from 3% cannabinoids to 36% cannabinoids. And we took the CBD from 3% to 18%,  and we took the THC — total THC — from literally 0.09 right to 7.5%.  And, we were able to grow significant levels of the variant CBDV of 4.5%, THCV of 2.5%, plus significant amounts of CBG, CBC, CBN.

And that provided us a certificate of analysis, where when you show this to people — whether it’s recreational, or more specific medicinal, people look at this and say, “We’ve never seen a composition of cannabinoids like this all working together in full spectrum.”

As we bring this to market, and commercialize our technology through the different strategies that we’re going to be deploying, we are going to be providing a level of cannabis that I believe cannabis consumers have never seen before. And, frankly, from an economic perspective, the lowest cost in the business by far, and we know very well the costs of the multi-state operators out there.

And importantly, because we are a biotech company that’s focused on health and wellness and making sure that we’re driving transformational positive change in people’s health and wellness in a way that preserves the planet. We have sustainability credentials that are second to none in an industry that really now is plagued by sustainability challenges — whether it’s around water management, whether it’s around energy management.

 

So, that’s really what the technology allows us to bring.  It is important to understand, we do this in cannabis, we do this in polyphenols, antioxidants, and there are many other verticals that we will build in our company, as we aspire to build a multibillion dollar biotech platform technology company, overseeing multiple critical verticals, of which cannabis is one of them.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MARIJUANA CHANNEL ONE

Cannabis Orchards Announces Agreement with National Institute of Health to Screen Minor Cannabinoids for Epilepsy Treatment

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CANADA: Cannabis Orchards Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the research, development and commercialization of minor cannabinoids and innovative industrial hemp varieties, announced it has signed an agreement with the National Institute of Health (NIH) to participate in the Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program(ETSP) to study minor cannabinoids for epilepsy treatment. 
The use of minor cannabinoids as an anti-seizure drug was subject to a patent submission in September 2022 by Cannabis Orchards Inc.
The ESTP involves studying compounds in various pre-clinical models of epilepsy to determine the safety and efficacy of new candidate drugs for use as novel epilepsy treatments. Almost all common epilepsy drugs have been included in the ETSP program, including cannabidiol (CBD). After a rigorous qualifying process, Cannabis Orchards Inc. has successfully been chosen to submit minor cannabinoids, such as cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabichroneme (CBC), for inclusion in the program.
Statement from Cannabis Orchards CEO, Dr. Jamie Ghossein
“After engaging in a rigorous qualifying process, we are proud to have been selected to register minor cannabinoids, namely CBGA and CBC, for inclusion in this world-renowned program. Minor cannabinoids will now be studied in the same way as common anti-seizure drugs as new alternatives for epilepsy treatment.”
Cannabis Orchards Inc. has successfully produced CBGA isolate and completed shipment to the NIH in Q3, 2022.
“Minor cannabinoids have demonstrated promise as alternatives to anti-seizure drugs for epilepsy treatment, including CBD. With differing efficacy and side effect profile, minor cannabinoids may prove effective as anti-seizure medications for chronic use with enhanced tolerability compared to standard therapies.”
Currently, Epidiolex (CBD) is the only FDA-approved cannabinoid treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy. With a market size expected to reach over USD 1.0 billion in 2023, there is a large market opportunity to offer alternative cannabinoids with enhanced efficacy and tolerability compared to CBD.
“Over the last several decades, minor cannabinoids were not possible to study as no Cannabis variety produced enough content for isolation and testing. After several years of plant breeding efforts, Cannabis Orchards has successfully produced novel industrial hemp variety with minor cannabinoid content, allowing for the isolation and study of minor cannabinoids in various models of disease. We look forward to leading the way for new therapeutic development using minor cannabinoids. This exclusive agreement highlights the start of a pipeline for minor cannabinoids as therapeutic options for various disease models.”

Senate Passes Bipartisan Marijuana Research Bill

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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: The Senate passed by voice vote the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, a bill introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) to expand research into marijuana-derived medications.

The goal of the bill – which passed the House of Representatives in July by a strong bipartisan vote of 325-95 under the leadership of Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Andy Harris (R-Md.) – is to facilitate research on marijuana and its potential health benefits. The bill will accomplish this by streamlining the application process for scientific marijuana studies and removing existing barriers for researchers that frequently slow the research process.

“There is substantial evidence that marijuana-derived medications can and are providing major health benefits.  Our bill will make it easier to study how these medications can treat various conditions, resulting in more patients being able to easily access safe medications,” Senator Feinstein said. “We know that cannabidiol-derived medications can be effective for conditions like epilepsy. This bill will help refine current medical CBD practices and develop important new applications. After years of negotiation, I’m delighted that we’re finally enacting this bill that will result in critical research that could help millions.”

“I’ve heard directly from Iowans who are desperately in search of treatment options for conditions like child epilepsy. Unfortunately, many families have resorted to using untested, unregulated derivatives from the marijuana plant as a last resort to treat these conditions. Since 2015, I’ve pushed to expand medical research into marijuana derivatives such as cannabidiol to better understand their benefits and potential harms. This research is a critical step toward ensuring safe and effective therapies are also consistently regulated like any other prescription drug. I’m grateful that this bipartisan bill is now on its way to President Biden,” Senator Grassley said.

“The medical community agrees that we need more research to learn about marijuana’s potential health benefits, but our federal laws today are standing in the way of us finding those answers,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bill, which is now set to become law, will remove excessive barriers that make it difficult for researchers to study the effectiveness and safety of marijuana, and hopefully, give patients more treatment options.”

“After working on the issue of cannabis reform for decades, finally the dam is starting to break. The passage of my Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act in the House and Senate represents a historic breakthrough in addressing the federal government’s failed and misguided prohibition of cannabis.” said Congressman Blumenauer, founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus. “As we have seen in state after state, the public is tired of waiting for the federal government to catch up. More than 155 million Americans—nearly half of our nation’s population—now reside in states where adult-use of cannabis is legal. For far too long, Congress has stood in the way of science and progress, creating barriers for researchers attempting to study cannabis and its benefits. At a time when more than 155 million Americans reside where adult-use of cannabis is legal at the state or local level and there four million registered medical marijuana users with many more likely to self-medicate, it is essential that we are able fully study the impacts of cannabis use.

Congressman Andy Harris said, “As a physician who has conducted NIH-sponsored research, I am pleased that this bill has finally passed and that scientists will be able to research what medical marijuana can and cannot do. While there is evidence to suggest that medical marijuana may be beneficial in the treatment of some diseases like glaucoma and epilepsy, only scientific research will prove the veracity of the many claims regarding efficacy for other diseases. Despite lacking much scientific research, over three dozen states have already legalized medical marijuana, and the American public deserves to know the effect modern marijuana has on the human body. While I support additional research for the use of medical marijuana, my position on recreational marijuana remains the same – I categorically oppose it.”

In addition to Feinstein, Grassley and Schatz, the Senate bill is cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

Background:

  • Cannabis containing more than 0.3 percent delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (commonly known as THC) is currently classified as a Schedule I drug. As a result, medical research is subject to stringent regulations that has impeded progress.
  • Few marijuana-derived products have been FDA-approved, and there is little available information about their interactions with other medications, appropriate doses or delivery mechanisms.
  • The goal of the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act is to ensure that research on CBD and other potentially beneficial marijuana-derived substances is based on sound science while also reducing regulatory barriers associated with conducting research on marijuana.
  • The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health to submit a report to Congress on the potential harms and benefits of marijuana use.

WSLCB Rescinded Board Interim Policy 12-2019 Regarding Cannabinoid Additives

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Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board Action

Rescinded Board Interim Policy 12-2019 regarding cannabinoid additives

WASHINGTON:  On November 9, 2022, during its regularly scheduled meeting, the Liquor and Cannabis Board took the following actions on general rules and on the following Board Interim Policy:

WAC 314-55-109 became effective December 1, 2018. In addition to establishing requirements, restrictions, and quality assurance standards for CBD additives, the rule also requires that test results from CBD products obtained from both inside and outside the licensed system be entered in the state’s existing traceability system. The LEAF Data System was in place at the time the rules were developed and approved. LEAF was capable of tracking CBD products that were produced within the licensed system, but did not have the ability to track CBD products or test results produced outside the licensed system. 

On June 12, 2019, the Board approved Board Interim Policy 12-2019 that was designed to temporarily suspend the requirement under WAC 314-55-109 to enter test results from CBD products produced outside the licensed system into the LEAF data system. The policy was intended to be rescinded once the LEAF system was modified to track non-regulated products and test results.

However, in December 2021, LCB discontinued the LEAF data system and replaced it with a reporting solution referred to as the Cannabis Central Reporting System (CCRS). As a simplified and more flexible approach, CCRS was capable of tracking CBD products produced outside the licensed system and associated test results. As a result, BIP 12-2019 is no longer necessary.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, please contact rules@lcb.wa.gov.

LMCC Returns October 20 & 21 To Hudson Yards: Presenting The World’s Top Cannabis & CBD Beauty, Wellness, Food & Beverage Brands

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LMCC Welcomes Leaders from Ulta Beauty, Adweek, New York State Cannabis Control Board, Merida Capital Holdings, Adweek, NYC Mayor’s Office, Food & Wine, Standard Dose, Women’s Health, and Bon Appétit

NEW YORK:  Luxury Meets Cannabis Conference (LMCC) today announced the complete program for its Fall 2022 Edition, which returns on October 20 & 21 in Hudson Yards, New York City.

Launched in 2018 as a first-of-its-kind B2B trade event, LMCC has grown into the go-to resource and venue for product discovery and extensive category education, connecting visionary CBD and Cannabis brands across the beauty/wellness, food/beverage, and technology/lifestyle accessory categories to mainstream retailer buyers, luxe dispensaries, media, and investors.

As an indication of the excitement around the emerging New York legal Cannabis market and the official brand showcase mix at LMCC, 100+ A-tier retail outlets – LMCC’s highest rate to date – have registered to attend the show including KITH, Standard Dose, Curaleaf, Bloomingdale’s, Rise Cannabis, Etain, The Vitamin Shoppe, Shen Beauty, and many others.

LMCC’s inaugural infused Food & Beverage Hall will also debut, which will feature the finest food/culinary, beverage, consumables, and confectionery brands in the space — especially timely as alcohol sales in the U.S. continue to decline. This Harrods-esque, immersive (and delectable) experience will spotlight leading brands such Cann, Kiva Confections, oHHo, Cycling Frog, Cloud 11, Black Dahlia, L8, Sass, Chef For Higher, and many more.

More than 700 business attendees from around the world will explore the LMCC Official Brand Showcase — a pre-vetted, store-ready exhibition — paired with a full schedule of keynote talks, brand presentations, and business networking.

For the most up-to-date information on partners, exhibiting brands and speakers, visit lmccshow.com.

LMCC FALL 2022 OFFICIAL BRAND SHOWCASE DIRECTORY

LMCC SPEAKER SCHEDULE NOW LIVE

See 50 leading executives on stage from Ulta Beauty, Adweek, New York State Cannabis Control Board, Merida Capital Holdings, Adweek, Different Leaf, NYC Mayor’s Office, Food & Wine, Standard Dose, Women’s Health, and Bon Appétit and many others:

View LMCC Fall 2022 Speaker Schedule Here

Wellbeing Subsidiary KGK Science Opens New Clinical Research Center to Reimagine a Healthier Future

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Wellbeing Digital Sciences Inc. (“Wellbeing” or the “Company”) (NEO: MEDI) (OTC: KONEF) (FRA: SQ2), an evidence-based mental healthcare company focused on the development and implementation of innovative clinical solutions, including psychedelic medicine and digital therapeutics as supported by clinical research, announces that its wholly owned subsidiary KGK Sciences Inc. (“KGK”) has opened their new Clinical Research Center in London, Ontario, wit

Hempacco Announces Joint Venture with Cheech & Chong to Launch Hemp CBD Cigarettes & Hemp Blunt Rolling Papers

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Pursuing its goal of Disrupting Tobacco, Hempacco launches Cheech and Chong’s Hemp Company in a 50/50 joint venture with the celebrities

CALIFORNIA:  Hempacco Co, Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of Green Globe International, Inc. (OTC Pink: GGII), entered into a joint venture agreement with an entity controlled by Cheech & Chong. The new joint venture entity between the celebrities’ entity and Hempacco, owned 50% by each party, is developing different lines of products to include Hemp CBD Cigarettes and Hemp Blunts smoking papers, all under the Cheech & Chong brand. “Throughout my career, I’ve always been against cigarette smoking, and now I’m proud to release the next best thing to smoking cannabis, and that’s hemp!” exclaimed Tommy Chong. 

Details of the Joint Venture:

  1. Hempacco plans to start producing Hemp CBD Cigarettes and Hemp Blunt Rolling Paper using the Cheech & Chong Brand for the Joint Venture entity.
  2. The new joint venture entity is 50% owned by Hempacco Co, Inc.
  1. Hempacco plans to premiere the Cheech & Chong wrapped vending machines at the Las Vegas TPE Show.
  1. Hempacco plans to take purchase orders at the Las Vegas TPE show this month.
  2. Cheech & Chong have a social media audience of 12 million and growing.
  3. The Cheech & Chong comedy duo has been making films since 1978, including Up In Smoke, Nice Dreams, and Still Smokin.

“We are excited to launch a joint venture with Cheech & Chong. We are working with their entity’s CEO, Jonathan Black, to develop three unique products, three blends in smokables, and our hemp blunt wraps,” said Sandro Piancone, Founder and CEO of Hempacco. “We are launching the brand this month at the TPE show in Las Vegas, where we plan to showcase our cutting-edge Cheech & Chong vending machines alongside some of the exciting new products that we’re making for them,” added Sandro Piancone.

The new smokables company plans to sell its products online and in retail stores, including convenience stores and smoke shops, powered by the promotional and branding power of Cheech & Chong, both on social media and through advertising. “Smoking hemp is a relaxing substitute, and a good way to kick nicotine!” said Cheech.

“Attracting partners like Hempacco with great products like their hemp cigarettes is one of the many great outcomes of working with an iconic brand like Cheech and Chong. We are excited about what this partnership means to future products we plan to bring to market together,” explained Jonathan Black, CEO of Cheech and Chong’s Cannabis Company.

“Sandro and I always dreamt of working with Cheech & Chong,” said Jorge Olson, Co-Founder and CMO of Hempacco and GGII. “We thought from the very beginnings of Hempacco that a Cheech & Chong Hemp Smokable would be an incredible product, marketed to a baked-in customer base,” concluded Jorge Olson.

Tilray Medical Receives Verification From the Natural Health Science Foundation in Australia and New Zealand

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Natural Health Science Foundation Assessment Further Verifies Tilray Medical’s High-Quality Standard and its CBD100 Product for Clinical Trial Use

AUSTRALIA: Tilray Brands, Inc., a leading global cannabis-lifestyle and consumer packaged goods company inspiring and empowering the worldwide community to live their very best life, today announced that its medical cannabis division, Tilray Medical, has received approval and verification from The Natural Health Science Foundation of its flagship product, Tilray Purified Oral Solution CBD100, to be used in clinical trials in Australia and New Zealand.

Denise Faltischek, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of International, Tilray Brands, said, “The NHSF (Natural Health Science Foundation) Quality and Equivalency test approval is a testament to the high standards Tilray Medical upholds across all international cannabis markets. As Tilray continues to grow, we are extremely proud to be recognized as a trusted cannabis partner and for the quality standards we deliver for patients worldwide.”

George Polimenakos, General Manager, Tilray Medical ANZ (Australia and New Zealand) noted, “We are extremely pleased with this outcome and proud to provide EU-GMP certified products to patients in Australia and New Zealand. Having our product quality validated by the NHSF demonstrates Tilray’s commitment to delivering the highest quality cannabis products to our patients.”

The NHSF is an independent not-for-profit organization that assists patients, consumers, and healthcare professionals in making informed natural medicine choices based on robust science. NHSF believes natural medicines will be valuable in modern scientific medical practice if they follow best practices of quality, safety, and efficacy through transparency and evidence.

Nigel Pollard, Chairman, Natural Health Science Foundation, said, “Tilray Purified OS CBD100 has been thoroughly assessed by independent experts and has met the Quality & Equivalence standards of the Natural Health Science Foundation. This means the product has a basis of reproducibility which serves as a valid medical intervention, from a scientific point of view, for patient use and to test in a clinical trial.”

In addition to the approval received from the NHSF standard of scientific reproducibility for clinical trials, the New Zealand Ministry of Health has verified that the Tilray Purified OS CBD100 has met its quality standards to ensure consistency of the products that medical practitioners prescribe to their patients.

Tilray Medical is one of the leading providers of medical cannabis in Australia and New Zealand for commercial, compassionate access, and research purposes. Patients in Australia and New Zealand may seek access to medical cannabis products by consulting their healthcare practitioner.

BE Cultivation and Provisions: Jungle Healing, Jungle Love, and the Giveaway Tour; Hear from Dreka Gates and the Team at BE

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By Veronica Castillo

MICHIGAN: On July 7, 2022, business owner, actress, producer, and woman in cannabis Dreka Gates, announced the launch of two product lines: Jungle Healing and Jungle Love. Jungle Healing is a hemp-derived CBD line of products available across the country. Jungle Love is a full line of THC-cannabis products in the Michigan market where BE Cultivation and Provisions is currently located. 

These product lines consist of: tinctures, balms, gummies, bath soaks, and pop rocks. Each has the ability to help treat people’s personal conditions, helping them get away from traditional pharmaceutical medicines that a lot of times do more harm to the body than good.

Included in this announcement, Dreka named the winners of the Be Cultivation and Provisions CBD giveaway, where winners will meet Dreka, and get a personal tour of Be Cultivation led by Dreka herself! The tour happens this summer in Michigan, and I will be onsite providing coverage of this industry first!

About BE + Dreka Gates; Hear from Dreka Gates and the BE Team

Nurturing a positive cannabis experience through inspiration, education, and empowerment + spiritual journey through cannabis and CBD= BE. I asked the team to tell me about BE: 

“BE is a start up cannabis cultivation and dispensary brand currently located in the Michigan market just past their 1 year anniversary. Dreka Gates is a leading partner in this male dominated industry and her seat at the table and presence has turned some heads. BE and Dreka are bringing different walks of life together with cannabis as the liaison and it has been beautiful to see people come together throughout the process. 

BE is very passionate about maintaining an inclusive environment that allows consumers to come as they are and maintaining their natural state of BE-ing. I asked the team to elaborate on this: “Just like our slogan. BE Bold. BE Free. BE You. We love every person who comes through our door for who they are. That’s the culture and environment we are building!”

The BE CBD Giveaway Tour

This tour is an industry first and if you follow Dreka and/or BE, you see her very involved and hands on in everything, including leading the giveaway tour. This isn’t something we see a lot of with celebrities in this industry. When I asked her how important it is for her to be involved, she responded:

“It’s extremely important for me to be involved. For me it’s like a woman birthing and raising a child. When that baby is born, you put in so many hours..so many sleepless nights..catering to it..making sure that all of its needs are completely taken care of. You have to nurture it. You’re handling every single job that there is…changing dirty diapers, feeding, bathing, teaching it…you’re basically all that baby has in order to survive. 

Then once that foundation is there, as the years go by, it becomes more and more independent. Until one day, that business can stand on its own and you can just oversee things. Then you get to sit back and reap the benefits from all of the hard work that you put into it.  

That’s something that no one can take from you because YOU did that. YOU put in the hard work. YOU know that business in and out because you were involved and did every job that there was to do. It’s SO rewarding!”

I asked the team for a sneak peek into the tour experience and what the giveaway winners will see/experience: 

“The winners of Dreka’s CBD giveaway will get to tour our current and our newest cultivation center. Right now Dreka and our Director of Cultivation are on the hunt (Pheno Hunt) for her very own unique BLUEBERRY strain! Dreka will take the winners from room to room explaining daily operations and answering any questions!” 

There’s some buzzing happening about a cannabis music festival and Dreka being a big part of it, along with some other big names in music and cannabis. I asked if the team could help confirm the buzzing, they were happy to:

“Yes! That’s true, BWA artist OG Boobie Black and Dreka Gates will be at the event!  Make sure you keep checking out our IG for details! @BEprovisionsmi” 

In Closing

Dreka has delved into every aspect of holistic medicine and earth remedies that she has put herself at the forefront of furthering human health and creating a positivity behind it. Regarding the journey, Dreka says:

“Any gardener, creator, builder knows that you can’t just go straight into something the first time around and expect amazing results. You’re lucky if you do! Most of the time, It’s like building a relationship. You have to learn what the plants like and what they don’t like. You learn that they actually prefer a little more of this and a little less of that. 

 

At BE we’ve had to do just that. BUILD. Building anything from the ground up, whether it’s a garden or a business, will be full of trials and tribulations. There’s been a major learning curve for us all here. We’ve had to dispose of flower that weren’t up to our standards but it’s all a part of the journey. 

A welcomed journey because without the mistakes we wouldn’t have the drive and motivation to make sure that everything that we do is done with precision and love.   We’ve worked out the kinks now and the possibilities are limitless!” 

I asked the team to tell me something that readers/consumers/canna curious people should we know about the foundation and the heartbeat of the company:

“Our foundation is deeply rooted in family. Family doesn’t always mean sunshine and rainbows. There are storms that we have to weather, but that only helps our roots grow deeper and stronger.” 

Column Sponsors

CLS Med-Can: a medical marijuana transportation service based out of Missouri.

Sky High PEO: a full service employment organization that helps companies manage benefits and payroll.Pass Your Test: a company offering detox products that cleanse the body of toxins.

The Number Grinder, a New York based BIPOC Accountant providing a full suite of services, including  as: financial consultations, budgeting, taxes and filing, reporting and more. 

 

 

Higher Travels, a black woman owned travel agency based out of Missouri booking cruises, hotels, and experiences all over the world.

The Florida Hemp Olympics is a BIPOC woman owned organization hosting various games and events, testing your knowledge of hemp.

Veronica Castillo is a writer, editor, publisher, and bud & breakfast travel partner from Miami, with a pre-cannabis and psychedelics background in insurance and human resources. Currently, she is a resident of the road covering cannabis, psychedelics, and plant lifestyles all over the U.S and soon abroad. Follow her journey on IG: www.instagram.com/v2_traveling_veg_canna_writer and/or on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vee-traveling-veg-canna-writer/ 

MJNews is streaming live on @Cannected.TV

 

Tilray Wellness Announces U.S. Distribution Agreement with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits for CBD Beverages

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NEW YORK: Tilray Brands, Inc., a leading global cannabis-lifestyle and consumer packaged goods company inspiring and empowering the worldwide community to live their very best life, today announced that Fresh Hemp Foods, Ltd., a part of the Company’s Tilray Wellness division, has signed a distribution agreement with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the preeminent distributor of wine and spirits. The distribution agreement will provide Tilray Wellness with direct access to Southern Glazer’s distribution network reaching consumers everywhere from local bars and restaurants to independent and national grocery chains and convenience stores.

Jared Simon, President, of Tilray Wellness and Fresh Hemp Foods, said, “This agreement helps Tilray uniquely position itself to enter the multi-billion-dollar adult beverage category with a non-alcoholic, CBD beverage alternative, for consumers who want to relax and unwind.”

As the leading distributor of beverage alcohol and CBD beverages in the U.S., Southern Glazer’s will be the exclusive distribution partner for the Tilray Wellness CBD beverage portfolio across 13 states with additional opportunities to scale nationwide. This strategic agreement will allow Tilray Brands to develop a U.S. CBD beverage portfolio within familiar retail channels, which will transition the category out of the fringe and into the mainstream. Tilray is excited to tap into the industry’s most knowledgeable CBD sales team and be part of their industry-leading Proof® e-commerce platform so retailers have access to its CBD Beverage portfolio 24/7.