• VPRB was named the exclusive vendor to design and manufacture vape batteries for JUST Brands
• The relaunch of KRAVE salt-nicotine e-cigarettes will feature disposable pod vaporizer units
• VPRB reported a 31 percent revenue increase for the three months ended June 30, as compared to the same period of the previous year

VPR Brands LP (OTCQB: VPRB), a multi-tiered technology holding company in the cannabis and vaping verticals, has detailed plans to debut a JUST Batteries vape line in collaboration with Just CBD, a leading player in the CBD space (http://ibn.fm/Fx6BP). VPRB also plans to relaunch its popular KRAVE brand of e-cigarettes with a salt-nicotine, disposable-pod vaporizer unit (http://ibn.fm/dFqpT).

VPRB has been named the exclusive vendor to design and manufacture vape batteries for JUST Brands. The new line will be known as JUST Batteries and consist of high-quality vaporizer batteries. The line, which will debut in Q3, is designed to complement the JUST CBD prefilled tanks. Additional SKUs are expected to be introduced in the future to the international distribution network.

“JUST Brands has developed a strong foothold as one of the leaders and innovators among CBD products and has a very expansive distribution network and market reach,” VPRB COO Dan Hoff stated in a news release. “Offering vape batteries as adjacent products to gain larger share of their existing customers and distributors serves as a good next step for JUST Brands.”

Additionally, VPRB’s KRAVE brand of e-cigarettes is being relaunched to the on-the-go crowd with a disposable pod vaporizer that will retail for $7.95. The VPRB team believes that the timing is perfect to relaunch the brand, which features a sleek and sporty design and offers complex flavors. The salt-nicotine e-cigarettes will appeal to both male and female adult smokers, per VPRB research.

“Our KRAVE brand was once one of the top-three recognized brands of electronic cigarettes and had distribution in convenience, gas and drug stores nationwide,” VPRB CEO Kevin Frija stated in a news release. “Our disposable vaporizers will fill a market void for the adult smoker who doesn’t want to deal with buttons, cables and chargers but still have a premium vape experience… A smooth draw and great taste all packaged in a trendy pod style vaporizer is a winning combination.”

VPRB reported that, with a larger distributor and private label orders, it sales grew for Q2 2019, the three months ended June 30, increasing by 31 percent to $1.58 million when compared to the same period in 2018 (http://ibn.fm/EqGqD). VPRB also achieved an OTCQB uplisting, a move which company leaders say will help build shareholder value and enhance liquidity and fair valuation.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.VPRBrands.com

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to VPRB are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/VPRB

• Increased number of registered BIGtoken users to 15.9 million in six months
• Invited to be a board member on the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Data Policy Board
• Deloitte Tech Fast 500 Winner
• Member of the Russell Microcap® Index
• Sold healthcare vertical, SRAX MD, for a $43.5 million consideration, retaining 31% ownership in new SRAX MD entity; 2017 revenue was $8 million out of $26 million
• SRAX revenue potential for BIGtoken projected at $400 million by January 2022
• Worldwide spending on big data and business analytics solutions reached $166 billion in 2018 and is projected to surge to $260 billion by 2022
• Financial highlights for Q2 2019 include an increase in total gross margin to 55% in the second quarter, compared to 42% in Q1 2019; vertical revenue increased 132% in Q1 2019 in year-over-year growth
• Raised $1 million at $5 per share in a private placement to support the launch of BIGtoken across Asia
• Raised $7.8 million: $6.7 million from a registered direct offering and $1.1 million from warrant conversion
• Raised $5.5 million from a registered direct offering, subsequent to quarter end

SRAX Inc. (NASDAQ: SRAX) is a digital marketing and consumer data management technology company. SRAX’s technology unlocks data to reveal brands’ core consumers and their characteristics across marketing channels.

Through its BIGtoken platform, SRAX has developed a consumer-managed data marketplace where people can own and earn from their data, thereby providing everyone in the internet ecosystem choice, transparency and compensation.

SRAX’s tools deliver a digital competitive advantage for brands in the CPG, automotive, investor relations, luxury and lifestyle verticals by integrating all aspects of the advertising experience, including verified consumer participation, into one platform.

SRAX Verticals

• SRAX Core: SRAX Core is a custom digital media management platform that enables brands and agencies to surpass the challenges of omnichannel marketing campaigns. It offers one comprehensive dashboard to manage digital media campaigns, inventory and reporting.
• SRAX Social: SRAX Social is a free social media management tool that makes it easy for brands, agencies and individuals to grow their digital presence. It offers free and unlimited users, Facebook auto boosting, and a custom analytics dashboard. Its managed services team can also build and execute marketing plans for your unique specific needs.
• SRAX IR: SRAX IR unlocks stock buyers’ behaviors and trends for issuers of publicly traded companies. The platform provides insights on shareholders and market makers, investor relations management, shareholder outreach tools and data-driven marketing.
• SRAX Auto: SRAX Auto unlocks auto intenders’ data to create measurable connected experiences on the road to purchase. It offers proprietary auto intender profiles, multi touchpoint communication and custom location-based ads.
• SRAX Shopper: SRAX Shopper delivers a cross channel, premium digital experience at scale to high value shopper audiences. It offers proprietary shopper profiles, cost per click pricing, and custom text and add to cart ad units.
• SRAX Lux: Launched in June 2019, the SRAX Lux platform targets and reaches luxury consumers at luxury retail stores, high-end art, music, film, fashion and sports events, across all consumer devices.

BIGtoken

BIGtoken, available for download on the App Store and Google Play, revolutionizes data collection. BIGtoken is a platform that creates a secure and transparent environment for consumers to own and earn from their data. To date, there are 15.9 million BIGtoken registered users worldwide.

The optimization and monetization of data is a multibillion-dollar business. Worldwide spending on big data and business analytics solutions reached $166 billion in 2018 and is projected to surge to $260 billion by 2022. BIGtoken’s consumer vision is committed to delivering choice, transparency and compensation to the individual.

Through BIGtoken, consumers earn rewards when they opt into sharing their data and when that data is purchased. Consumers decide what data is shared, who can buy it and how it’s used, and advertisers reach real, responsive audiences. The benefit of this is two-fold: consumers know how their data is used and advertisers gain verified consumer data for targeting.

Users of the BIGtoken app can officially be paid in cash or gift cards in exchange for giving brands access to their anonymized data, answering questions, checking into locations, recruiting new members, and more. Users can deposit their earnings directly into PayPal accounts or be paid through gift cards from favorite retailers such as Walmart.

SRAX has also partnered with several high-profile, nonprofit associations to provide BIGtoken users the ability to donate their earnings. Partnerships include the American Heart Association, dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke; HealthCorps, which helps high school students make better choices about health and physical fitness; and the ALS Association, which recently launched its Challenge Me campaign.

International Expansion

BIGtoken is formally launching into several international markets and partnering to foster local support. SRAX recently signed a joint venture with the Yash Birla Group to launch BIGtoken in India. Based in Mumbai, the Yash Birla Group, one of India’s largest conglomerates, has diversified interests in consumer and industrial products.

The partnership will bring BIGtoken’s platform to India, which has a digital population of 627 million. The India digital advertising market is $3.6 billion and is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 32%, making it one of the largest growing digital ad markets in the world.

SRAX Mexico is led by Moe Avitia, who has more than 18 years of experience in business development and building high-tech teams. SRAX Mexico includes a team of 90 employees, including 70 engineers.

BIGtoken Europe is currently evaluating data centers in individual countries for privacy laws.

Leadership

Christopher Miglino is CEO and founder of SRAX. He has spent the past 20 years working in the digital advertising space and has successfully launched and sold two internet companies. Both of these companies were sold to publicly traded companies on the NASDAQ. He has a detailed understanding of how technology interacts with brands.

Kristoffer Nelson is COO of SRAX and a founding member of BIGtoken. With over 15 years of technology and creative business experience, Nelson has been a guest speaker for Loyola Marymount University among other academic institutions, the National Association of Broadcasters, the IAB and numerous other professional and media organizations.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.SRAX.com

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SRAX are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/SRAX

• Texas-based CloudCommerce is building a honeycombed network of resources for its SWARM business data-mining solution, drawing on AI and market research capabilities to do a deep dive into information about consumer intentions
• The company’s solutions include BUZZ, HIVE and HONEY – offerings that facilitate research automation, audience culture identification and real data application
• The global business intelligence market’s revenues are expected to reach $34.3 billion by 2022, with the United States comprising a major part of the market within the coming year

The evolution of marketplaces worldwide on the heels of the internet’s and wireless communication’s spread throughout every continent has created ample opportunity for forward-driven innovators to connect with consumers that once might have been out of reach, and for brand-builders to identify and appeal to those consumers in ways that acknowledge their individuality as well as their place within a global community.

CloudCommerce Inc. (OTCQB: CLWD) is forging a path into diverse industries with its audience-driven business intelligence and digital marketing solutions, helping companies to brand themselves using strategies that tie closely into how their consumers identify themselves.

CloudCommerce’s core flagship solution is an end-to-end data science and market behavior solution that enables businesses to make decisions about who to talk to, what to say and how to further motivate their targeted audiences to act once that B2C bond has been established. The solution, titled SWARM, launched in July as a means of applying artificial intelligence (AI) and market research techniques to any business activity for audience generation.

“In the past, marketers have largely taken a blanket approach to communication. The same message is often sent across an entire customer audience with little regard for how different groups of people communicate, build communities, and develop their purchasing habits. We developed SWARM to help overcome these challenges,” CloudCommerce CEO Andrew Van Noy stated in a news release announcing the rollout (http://ibn.fm/g9qnz).

“SWARM is a behavioral science approach to audience creation and communication. It helps marketers probe deep consumer motivations and triggers, in order to effectively predict and influence their actions,” he added.

The global business intelligence market is expected to grow to about $34.3 billion by 2022 at a six-year CAGR of 11.03 percent, largely driven by new AI capabilities and wireless technologies that make data processing for businesses accessible practically anywhere, according to analysts at Market Research Future (http://ibn.fm/hwIfA). MarketResearch.com anticipates a rapid approach to that revenue benchmark in the U.S. alone, predicting that business intelligence, market research and opinion polling will reach $31 billion in revenues by next year (http://ibn.fm/PpR2S).

SWARM is a suite of solutions that uses the industry of busy bees as a metaphor for its ability to gather information from practically everywhere and bring it home for processing and use. CloudCommerce utilizes BUZZ to automate the market research process into a deep dive that lets businesses put their fingers on the pulse of the marketplace in the moment with a wide range of internal and external data sources, such as customer data, social media activity and micro and macro trends. HIVE supersedes traditional geographical-based models for targeting audiences, instead clustering people into granular geographic “tribes” that define cultural commonalities. HONEY interprets the core data solution into an intelligible, actionable result for the user.

The company’s subsidiaries, Data Propria, Parscale Digital, Giles Design Bureau and WebTegrity, further CloudCommerce’s efforts at deploying these services from a business vertical approach that is supportive of the ultimate aim of promoting market success.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.CloudCommerce.com

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to CLWD are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/CLWD

• The company’s international partnerships expand its market reach and its line of recreational and medical cannabis products
• Supreme’s recent acquisition of Truverra Inc. gives it a foothold in the growing European market, as well as access to a 5,000-square-foot licensed facility in Ontario
• SPRWF’s research and development efforts supply agriculturally focused, disease-resistant, premium-seed stock to global markets

The Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (TSX: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) (FRA: 53S1) operates with the mission of growing the world’s best cannabis and becoming a leader in the global industry. Supreme Cannabis has eyes on the expanding global market and has strategically positioned itself to be a leader in the space, with premium products, authentic brands and international investments.

SPRWF has entered into international partnerships to reach and meet the growing demand for recreational and medical cannabis. Khalifa Kush Enterprises (“KKE”) entered into an international partnership with SPRWF to develop and launch a lineup of premium cannabis. KKE Oils are created with premium cannabis supplied by 7ACRES, the flagship brand of SPRWF, and the line consists of recreational-focused offerings. The products are among the first-ever recreational-focused cannabis oils in Canada and became available earlier this year.

As global demand for medical cannabis oil grows, SPRWF also benefits from its investment in Medigrow Lesotho. The two companies entered into a long-term global distribution partnership in March 2018. Medical cannabis oil will be produced by Medigrow in Lesotho and then exported to Canada and additional international markets.

Closer to home, SPRWF recently closed on its acquisition of Toronto-based private company Truverra Inc. (http://ibn.fm/Tb0He). Selling CBD products through its subsidiary, Truverra (Europe) B. V., Truverra is dedicated to becoming a global leader of hemp- and cannabis-derived medicinal products with clinically proven efficacy. This acquisition only strengthens SPRWF’s position in the global cannabis market. Truverra is positioned to take advantage of the emerging CBD wellness market in Europe and is currently in the process of developing unique, cannabis-derived branded ingredients.

In addition to Truverra’s CBD business in Europe, Truverra’s Canadian subsidiary, Canadian Clinical Cannabinoids Inc. (“CCC”), operates a licensed facility in Ontario. “With the acquisition of Truverra, we secure a Toronto-based facility equipped to extract our high-quality inputs for concentrates and vaping liquids in the near-term,” SPRWF CEO Navdeep Dhaliwal stated in a news release referencing CCC’s 5,000-square-foot licensed facility that will be focused on producing cannabis-derivative extracts to be made available later this year (http://ibn.fm/FMQeV).

Truverra isn’t SPRWF’s only strategic move into the rapidly emerging European cannabis market. In June 2019, SPRWF launched London-based Supreme Heights as a separate entity. Supreme Heights is a CBD-focused investment platform that will make strategic investments in and provide support services to businesses in the CBD health and wellness segment. The goal is to support local UK and European businesses that share SPRWF’s core values of sustainability, innovation and community. This new entity will work to assess investment opportunities, identify synergies and advance businesses in its portfolio. Early-stage entrepreneurial companies will be assisted with capital and guidance in the development of innovative products.

Additionally, SPRWF maintains a strong position in Canada through its subsidiary and flagship brand, 7ACRES. 7ACRES is a licensed producer that operates a 440,000-square-foot facility in Ontario with a total licensed cultivation space of 230,000 square feet. From seed to shelf to consumer, 7ACRES prides itself on making every effort to cultivate a harvest greater than the previous in appearance, aroma and flavor. With a commitment to constantly improving techniques and practices, the company is leading the way toward a higher standard of cannabis. 7ACRES offers coast-to-coast distribution and is well on its way to becoming Canada’s leading cultivator of consistently superior cannabis.

In addition to partnerships, acquisitions and high end premium brands, SPRWF is leading the way in the development and licensing of next-generation, cannabis-plant genetics and cultivation IP. Cambium Plant Sciences was launched earlier this year to focus on supplying agriculturally focused, disease-resistant, premium-seed stock to the global cannabis market. Cambium’s 34,000-square-foot research and development facility in Goderich, Ontario, is using proprietary research, technology and scientific methodologies to revolutionize recreational, medical and wellness cannabis cultivation.

SPRWF continues to expand its global footprint through strategic partnerships, acquisitions and premium brands.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Supreme.ca

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SPRWF are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/SPRWF

• Legislative changes and deeper understanding of the health benefits of CBD have made the hemp-derived oil highly popular in the health and wellness fields
• Wildflower Brands is constantly working on the development of its retail network to position itself for rapid growth in these lucrative niches
• Via partnerships, Wildflower has already doubled its retail reach, and the company reports regular inbound contact from new retailers and potential distributors

Much of the CBD product growth in the coming years will be attributed to the health and wellness niches, where CBD oil is quickly becoming mainstream due to its ability to reduce aches, control inflammation and promote a general sense of wellbeing, as a Forbes report indicates (http://ibn.fm/mBXAQ).

A large part of this popularity can be credited to the passing of the federal Farm Bill in late 2018. The bill legalized the production of industrial hemp, which contributed to CBD oils becoming mainstream and being included in a wide array of products – from ointments to edibles and even bath bombs.

Hemp-derived CBD is already the primary driver of cannabis production in the U.S., reports suggest (http://ibn.fm/wCa5E). Over 70 percent of the hemp derived in the States is used for CBD oil derivation. CBD is highly versatile and a great match to the needs of the supplement, beauty, edibles and topical product industries. This highly lucrative market is expected to continue growing in the next years, to reach $75 million by 2030 (http://ibn.fm/2WJ9z).

Companies like Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF) are working hard to expand their product offerings and reach in anticipation of the projected growth. Wildflower Brands is a public cannabis company developing brands that focus on plant-based wellness and health products. The company markets its full spectrum of CBD products to retailers in the health and wellness niches throughout the U.S. and in legal cannabis markets.

The Vancouver-based company recently launched CBD-infused products in collaboration with wellness guru Joel Warren (http://ibn.fm/RlDbG). Through this collaboration, Wildflower CBD products became available at Warren’s Saks Fifth Avenue salon.

At the beginning of 2019, Wildflower initiated a strategic New York expansion, making its products available in over 20 health and wellness stores throughout Manhattan. The move was a complete success, as over 40 percent of Wildflower’s online sales now originate from New York.

The company’s expansion and effective market positioning efforts did not end there. On June 17, 2019, Wildflower announced its reception and fulfillment of an opening purchase order from Dillard’s department stores (http://ibn.fm/bV2Rj). Through the partnership, Wildflower expects to gain exposure for its premium hemp SKUs in 260 Dillard’s stores across the country.

According to Wildflower CEO William Maclean, the partnership with Dillard’s will immediately double the number of retail locations carrying the company’s products. Through such strategic moves, Wildflower Brands anticipates becoming a household name, Maclean concluded.

Wildflower has also partnered up with Free People, a prominent bohemian lifestyle brand (http://ibn.fm/8dkLo). The partnership ensures the sale of Wildflower’s CBD+ Cool Stick, CBD+ Healing Stick, CBD+ Vanilla Soap and CBD+ Lavender Soap through the Free People website.

Currently, Wildflower holds 14 licenses for cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, distribution and retail in California. As a result of its strategic partnerships, the Wildflower retail network has expanded beyond California to reach over 200 retailers in Washington and more than 20 in New York City.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.WildflowerBrands.co

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to WLDFF are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/WLDFF

• The Green Organic Dutchman participated in the renowned Cannabis Investor Conference held by New West Partners
• TGOD received a 100 percent organic rating from Toronto-based Corporate Knightsmagazine
• The company endeavors to become a global leader in the delivery of high-quality, sustainable cannabis

The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF), a company dedicated to producing organic cannabis using craft farming techniques, was one of the presenters at the Cannabis Investor Conference held by New West Partners on August 22, 2019, in San Francisco, California (http://ibn.fm/A4qjv). Based in Hamilton, Ontario, The Green Organic Dutchman is committed to become a global leader in the delivery of premium-quality cannabis in compliance with the provisions of ACMPR and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada).

Recently, TGOD received a 100 percent organic rating from Toronto-based Corporate Knights magazine (http://ibn.fm/B0fNJ). The company is one of the few in Canada licensed to cultivate organic cannabis. The Green Organic Dutchman is a pioneer in shifting from indoor farming to greenhouse cultivation, making use of solar energy and cutting electricity costs by up to 90 percent. Companies leading this effort are using glass-roofed greenhouses equipped with the latest high-tech equipment to produce ‘sun-grown’ organic cannabis (http://ibn.fm/r7uCv).

Canada has become a magnet for cannabis investors, with more than $1.3 billion raised by Canadian companies to date. The country has 58 licensed producers servicing a population of 36 million, but it only boasts two organic producers. Canada’s legal cannabis sector has been busy trying to meet heavy demand since legalization in October 2018, so companies have not given much thought into how the industry can track, disclose and better the sector’s ESG (environmental, social and governance) factors. However, where many companies refrain from taking on the social responsibility that should come from cultivation, TGOD rose to the occasion.

The Green Organic Dutchman has positioned itself as one of the industry’s most cost-efficient companies while still delivering high-quality organic cannabis used to improve the lives of its customers. TGOD holds licenses and is located in both Ontario and Quebec, which together have a population of 22 million Canadian residents. The company caters to both recreational users and Canada’s medical market.

TGOD has applied a different approach to running a sustainable and successful cannabis company. That approach includes:

• Following the principle of “grow to scale” and concentrating on growing organic produce;
• Controlling logistical and infrastructure departments;
• Teaming up with the world’s second-largest power-management company, Eaton;
• Teaming up with Canada’s second-largest construction management company, Ledcor; and
• Creating a world-class CPG senior management team.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.TGOD.ca

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to TGODF are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/TGODF

• Lexaria Bioscience recently announced its DehydraTECH(TM) patent for pharmaceutical applications of cannabinoids to treat certain disease conditions
• Lexaria Bioscience’s patented DehydraTECH drug delivery platform can be used to deliver nicotine, cannabinoids and many other useful substances
• The company has roughly 60 patents pending in countries around the world for its DehydraTECH drug delivery platform

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) is at the forefront of the development of useful biotechnology products and has played a pivotal role in developing a way to deliver substances to the brain via non-inhalation methods through the development of a novel drug delivery platform.

The DehydraTECH drug delivery platform was developed by Lexaria Bioscience Corp. and has already received patents in both the United States and Australia, most recently for pharmaceutical applications of cannabinoids to treat certain disease conditions (http://ibn.fm/gRhN0). In addition, patents are also pending in over 40 countries around the world. The delivery method can be used in a variety of forms, including in edible foods and beverages, and the technology has several benefits and applications for the pharmaceutical industry.

This innovative technology can be used to safely deliver nicotine and a range of other substances, including cannabidiol, to the body via ingestion rather than inhalation. It has been recognized that inhalation is dangerous and associated with other medical problems. Thus, finding an alternative means for the effective and safe delivery of substances which have traditionally been inhaled is advantageous. A total of nine corporations have signed 11 definitive contracts to use Lexaria’s revolutionary DehydraTECH drug delivery platform, and its client base continues to expand exponentially.

It is clearly a benefit to find and use edible or drinkable products as a way of delivering substances to the bloodstream. It is also beneficial that the delivery system works in beverages, for individuals who may be having trouble eating solid foods. Consequently, new patent applications related to the recent innovations have been filed by Lexaria (http://ibn.fm/aXdDw).

This patented delivery system works in such a way that the required substance can be absorbed by the gastrointestinal system. This is an important development, since previous edible products containing substances such as nicotine were found to be poorly absorbed from the gut, which meant that they were not very effective for the purposes of delivering the nicotine in a safe manner. In addition, no sugar additives are needed, since this product blocks any unpleasant or bitter taste. This is a big benefit, because it means that unhealthy taste-enhancing substances do not need to be added to products to make them palatable. The DehydraTECH drug delivery platform also enables the substances to bypass first phase liver metabolism.

Lexaria’s DehydraTECH drug delivery platform has been shown to rapidly deliver nicotine and cannabidiol to the brain. In general, the ingestion of nicotine and cannabinoids in this way means that far more of the substance is absorbed than through other means of edible ingestion, which is a distinct advantage. Lexaria, through its relationship with Canada’s National Research Council (“NRC”), also continues to investigate what interactions take place at the molecular level between nicotine polacrilex formulations and DehydraTECH’s methodology in order to continually improve on DehydraTECH and expand scientific understanding of its processes.

The platform does work very well in delivering non-psychoactive cannabinoids, which have been recognized as beneficial in treating many ailments (http://ibn.fm/dr6Py). In a human clinical test, DehydraTECH achieved a 319 percent higher CBD blood concentration compared with other systems within 30 minutes of ingestion.

Cannabidiol is a helpful substance that has potential for the treatment of many medical conditions, and a quick uptake of the substance is important in people who desire rapid relief of unpleasant symptoms such as nausea and pain. The CBD acts on special receptors in the brain which causes changes in how the nervous system functions (http://ibn.fm/ZBpdf).

There is scientific evidence to substantiate many of the health benefits of CBD. Besides helping to alleviate symptoms of nausea, CBD has been found to work well in patients who have seizure disorders such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which are difficult to treat by conventional means. The cannabinoid also helps with pain and even anxiety.

Inhalation may be a quicker route for getting cannabinoids and certain other substances into the brain, but it is harmful to the body, which is why this new delivery technology is preferable. Lexaria Bioscience Corp. has 16 patents granted for DehydraTECH for the safe, rapid and effective delivery of cannabidiol.

A further advantage of the platform is that several other fat-soluble substances can be delivered using the DehydraTECH drug delivery platform. For instance, the DehydraTECH delivery system can be used for the rapid delivery and gastrointestinal uptake of substances including fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A and E, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as acetylsalicylic acid and ibuprofen. There is also potential for the use of DehydraTECH to deliver drugs that can help with nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. This is helpful, since the blood-brain barrier has sometimes been an obstacle for the delivery of drugs to the brain. Lexaria attributes its recent commercial success largely to its rapidly expanding body of scientific results that prove the superior capabilities of its patented technologies.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.LexariaBioscience.com

• Wildflower Brands recently completed its acquisition of City Cannabis Corp. in a deal that includes four operating retail cannabis stores and renovations to additional locations
• Wildflower holds 14 licenses for cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, distribution and retail in California, the world’s largest cannabis market
• Expansion plans into Europe’s CBD market are underway via an agreement with Poland-based wellness distribution company Two Towers

Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF) continues its expansion of retail, online sales and production capacity in both Canada and the United States, building on its strategic goal of becoming a global wellness leader. Its recent acquisition of City Cannabis Corp., which currently serves the Vancouver, British Columbia, cannabis market, included four retail cannabis stores and the renovation of additional retail locations.

The purchase of City Cannabis Corp. expands Wildflower’s reach and strengthens the company’s status as a leading brand-focused industry leader in the cannabis and CBD industry (http://ibn.fm/n0174). City Cannabis has been turning a profit in dispensary operations since Vancouver started licensing cannabis retailers, posting revenues of $1.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

“City Cannabis is no doubt the fastest growing multiple location cannabis retailer in British Columbia,” Wildflower CEO William MacLean said in a news release. “The team has demonstrated their ability to find the best locations, but more importantly, the knowledge and ability to work with regulators at all levels has meant success in licensing that is unmatched.”

Wildflower also expanded its retail presence in the U.S. with the launch of its wellness products in more than 260 Dillard’s department stores. The initial purchase order from Dillard’s is significant, MacLean said in a news release, since it enables Wildflower to enter new markets in several U.S. states (http://ibn.fm/3N99A).

“Launching into Dillard’s will double the number of retail locations we are in overnight. Our strategy is to build off our established brand equity in these key markets that can catapult us into becoming a household name,” MacLead continued. “Dillard’s has the respect and reputation as a retailer that fits in with our loyal following. I am looking forward to bringing the wellness and health benefits of CBD through Wildflower’s products to Dillard’s clientele.”

Wildflower’s CBD-infused products can also be found at wellness guru Joel Warren’s ‘The Salon Project’ at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City (http://ibn.fm/5FX7d). Warren is a celebrity beauty and wellness icon who has been a leader in the hair care industry for more than 30 years. The Salon Project at Saks Fifth Avenue features a full salon and lounge space, a VIP treatment room and a curated “shop-in-shop” CBD beauty corner.

The lucrative U.S. CBD market is estimated to grow to $22 billion by 2022 (http://ibn.fm/mLqGF) and $75 billion by 2030 (http://ibn.fm/H4H7q). With the inclusion of Dillard’s stores, Wildflower products are now in distribution in 600 locations across America.

“In this soon-to-explode global CBD marketplace, those with the most recognized brands that have developed a loyal customer base will emerge as the world leaders,” MacLean said. “Our strategy is to build off our established brand equity in these key markets and partner with brands that can catapult us into becoming a household name.”

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.WildflowerBrands.co

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to WLDFF are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/WLDFF

Pure-play cannabis-infused beverage manufacturer Tinley Beverage Company (CSE: TNY) (OTCQX: TNYBF) recently announced that it has completed the buildout of its permanent bottling facility in Long Beach, California. The company is currently producing its five alcohol-inspired cannabis beverages via a temporary manufacturer, making it one of the only publicly traded companies and the only pure play that now has cannabis beverages in the market.

Tinley’s 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art-facility is purpose-built for cannabis beverage production, and the company reported that its line is capable of producing at least one million bottles per month, with a space plan for two additional lines that would accommodate additional formats such as shot bottles and cans. The company’s products currently retail for between $6 and $45 per bottle, suggesting revenue capacity that exceeds $100 million, even if not fully utilized.

Leveraging the experience of its president, Rick Gillis, who was previously the president of the second-largest alcohol distributor in the western U.S. (Young’s Market Company, which generates $3 billion annually in sales), Tinley is offering a suite of beverage-specific DSD services to existing California cannabis distributors. This enables such distributors to offer the additional merchandising and other services that beverage DSD distributors offer that typically aren’t required for other consumer product categories. This enables existing cannabis distributors to offer these additional services without having to invest in a reconfiguration of their sales forces or fleets for beverages.

Another heavy-hitter on Tinley’s team is Ted Zittell, who was previously a president of Cott, which at the time was the third-largest beverage company in the world after Coke and Pepsi. Cott’s core business was offering co-packing, branding and merchandising services to help consumer and lifestyle brands extend their offerings into the cola business. Tinley’s team has done this for 100+ such brands and intends to use the same process for helping mainstream beverage and other consumer brands create cannabis beverages. This service effectively positions Tinley to provide a full-service solution for any such companies that want to create offerings in the cannabis beverage industry.

Completion of Tinley’s production site comes on the heels of the company providing the keynote presentation at the first-ever Cannabis Drinks Expo, which recently took place in San Francisco, California. The expo was organized by the internationally recognized Beverage Trade Network, representing the increasingly mainstream standing of the burgeoning category.

Tinley discussed how the science of infusing cannabis into beverages is no longer a challenge, thanks to the multitude of companies that now offer these solutions on competitive terms. These solutions enable beverage companies to provide consumers with an enjoyable full-flower effect, comparable to vaping, with rapid onset times and no trace of cannabis taste.

With science no longer a challenge, Tinley indicated that the next hurdle is infrastructure. Consumers of mainstream alcohol and health beverages are accustomed to lower prices and elaborate drink shelf merchandising, largely as a result of the extensive beverage infrastructure that has been installed across the country over the past 100 years. Cannabis beverages remain more expensive than comparable single-serve alcohol products like beer and wine coolers, largely because the country’s beverage infrastructure isn’t cannabis-licensed. Further, dispensaries don’t typically give premium shelf space to beverages, given the nascency of the category.

Overcoming the price and merchandising hurdles requires scaled bottling facilities, as well as the addition of the type of merchandising services that are typically provided by traditional beverage DSD distributors. The completion of Tinley’s large-scale, purpose-built bottling and DSD facility solves this problem.

With science and infrastructure now “solved,” Tinley expects 2019 to be a “breakout” year for the cannabis-infused beverage industry. MolsonCoors CEO Mark R. Hunter was quoted as saying that he felt cannabis beverage could grow to 20-30 percent of the cannabis industry. There are a lot of ‘ifs’ to make this happen, but, if science and infrastructure are indeed fully solved as they now appear to be, this large market share might not be that much of a stretch as mainstream consumers seek to enter cannabis without having to smoke.

Hunter’s forecast suggests a $1 billion beverage category growing to $3-5 billion in California alone as the state’s cannabis industry grows (and 10-times that as cannabis becomes legal across the country). At minimum, beverage should hit the 11 percent share that mainstream beverages have in retail stores – the largest single category in grocery stores – which suggests a $300 million to $3 billion opportunity in California. Of course, it requires availability in lounges and other on-premise locations to truly soar (in addition to the at-home channels that are currently available), but these kinds of lounges are rapidly opening up in California and Nevada, and no doubt other states and Canada will follow. On that note, Tinley is well on its way to opening up shop in Canada, where Cott is headquartered, which should attract a whole new wave of visibility and opportunity.

The company indicated that it is committed to remaining a pure-play cannabis beverage company so that it remains an effective vehicle for public market investors looking to participate in this fast-growing subcategory within the cannabis industry. As a pure play, it is unaffected by changes in cultivation, extraction, edibles or other product categories, so its returns should be reflective of the growth that’s expected from beverages. The company’s investors will benefit from economics not only from the company’s own Tinley-branded products, which have received spectacular reviews and awards in their own right, but also from a diversified (and presumably large) lineup of beverages from the company’s co-packing clients.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.DrinkTinley.com

• VPR Brands is set to benefit from the approval of medical marijuana in South Asian markets
• The Thai marijuana industry is expected to reach $661 million by 2024
• VPRB announced growth of $1.58 million for Q2 2019, marking a 31 percent increase over last year

VPR Brands LP (OTCQB: VPRB), a technology holding company whose assets include issued U.S. and Chinese patents for atomization-related products, including technology for medical marijuana vaporizers and electronic cigarette products and components, is positioned to benefit as the Southeast Asian medical market could soon start using medical marijuana for the treatment of its patients. This news was announced by Thailand Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also the deputy prime minister of Thailand (http://ibn.fm/mQJT3). This is the first time that Thai state hospitals will be administering cannabis oils to patients since the country passed legislation allowing such treatment.

“This is the outcome of legalizing medical cannabis,” Charnvirakul stated in a press conference. “There is no hidden agenda. We only want to support every patient.” The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) delivered the initial shipment to the public health ministry to distribute to hospitals for about 4,000 registered patients; additional oils will be distributed in coming weeks.

In December 2018, Thailand became the first Southeast Asian nation to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes (http://ibn.fm/uKqTf). Under this law, the Thai government will be regulating the production, processing and sale of medical marijuana products. Prohibition Partners, a marijuana research firm, forecast that the marijuana industry in Thailand could be worth around $661 million by 2024 (http://ibn.fm/48D8f), and only licensed companies will be granted access to activities related to the new medical marijuana industry.

In addition to its U.S. patents, VPR Brands has Chinese-issued patents for atomization-related products. These patents include technology for medical-marijuana vaporizers and e-cigarette products and components. Since the company is already engaged in dealing with medical-marijuana products in the Chinese arena, the progress of medical marijuana in Thailand will further accelerate the VPR Brands’ expansion plans into the South Asian markets. Industry experts recognized VPR Brands specifically as one such company to be “thrilled that the Asian medical marijuana market could soon open up.”

VPR Brands’ has an extensive line of products that include accessories and vaporizers for cannabidiol (CBD), cannabis extracts and concentrates. The company also develops products for the vaping market, including e-vaporizers and e-liquids, and has alliances with top global brands in the vaping industry. The company’s growth strategy centers on adding more products while increasing production and thereby increasing sales.

VPR Brands CEO Kevin Frija has more than 30 years of valuable marketing and managerial experience. Under his sound leadership, VPR Brands is maneuvering toward the cannabis industry, which has led to an upsurge in sales and profit margins.

Recently, the company announced sales of $1.58 million for the three-month period ended June 30, which marked a 31 percent increase over the same period of 2018 (http://ibn.fm/cnc3i).

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.VPRBrands.com

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to VPRB are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/VPRB