• Shymanivske Project is a world class, high-value, low net cost project offering an ultra-high-grade iron ore concentrate (68% Fe) at low capital cost intensity (<US$100 per ton of capacity).
• Excellent infrastructure with paved road to site, confirmed power, rail and port capacity allows for a relatively low cost and phased build.
• Large iron ore deposit with NI 43-101 Compliant Resource: 646 Mt (million tons) Measure and Indicated resource @ 31.6% iron; additional 188Mt Inferred resource @ 30.1% iron, which will be concentrated to ~68% iron.
• Phased build starting at 4 Mt and growing to 8 Mtpa; using $62 per ton long term benchmark selling price results in pre-tax NPV of US$2.1 billion at 10% discount rate and 43% IRR (US$1.7 billion and 36% after-tax). Iron ore currently selling for well above this price at mid $70 per ton.
• Strategic location with underdeveloped resources; close to target markets in Europe, Turkey, Middle East, Asia.
• Skilled management team, directors and board with history of creating value for shareholders of iron ore projects.

Black Iron Inc. (TSX: BKI) (OTC: BKIRF) (GR: BIN) is a Canadian iron ore exploration and development company advancing to production its wholly owned Shymanivske Iron Ore Project, located in Krivyi Rih, Ukraine. Black Iron’s Shymanivske project is situated in the southern part of the historic KrivBass iron ore mining district, a highly developed iron ore mining region with well-established infrastructure and nearby skilled labor forces. Surrounded by seven producing iron ore mines, the Shymanivske project will produce an ultra-high-grade, 68-percent iron ore concentrate with few impurities at very low cost.

The Market

Iron ore concentrates are one of the essential raw materials used by the steel industry to either make sinter or highly valued pellets. Black Iron’s concentrate can be used in either application and is an ideal source to make pellets since it does not need to be ground finer and contains very few impurities. According to the CRU Group, an internationally recognized top global business intelligence provider and consultancy specializing in commodities, there is a growing global shortage of pellet feed resulting in a supply/demand gap of 133Mt against the current base of approximately 400Mt consumed by 2035. According to a recent report issued by Zion Market Research, the global iron ore pellets market was valued at around US$25.22 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach US$50.12 billion by 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1 percent between 2018 and 2024 (http://ibn.fm/jUEq4).

Countries around the world, most notably China (http://ibn.fm/thCIW), have instituted regulatory changes to curb polluting emissions from steel mills through numerous methods, including encouraging a shift to higher grade iron feed products such as pellets as less coal needs to be burnt per ton of steel produced.

Shymanivske Project

Black Iron’s Shymanivske’s project, which is expected to produce ultra-high-grade 68 percent iron content pellet feed iron concentrate, is generating significant interest from steel mills and global commodity trading houses. Use of ultra-high-grade 68-percent iron content product in the production of steel is a value-added product to customers since it increases blast furnace productivity and reduces greenhouse gas emissions generated per ton of steel produced.

The project’s proximity to rail lines (1 mile), electrical power (20 miles), sea ports (140 to 260 miles) and a skilled workforce (6 miles) significantly reduces the up-front construction costs and allows for the mine to be built in a phased approach. The Shymanivske project has been ranked by the CRU Group in the lowest position of the business cost curve for pellet feed projects currently under development and as the second lowest in capital intensity (construction capital divided by annual production) within CRU Group’s extensive database (http://ibn.fm/Drd1o). This low-cost position makes the project economics very robust to any shocks in iron ore price while providing a very high return at current and forecast prices.

Black Iron continues to advance its project on several fronts including construction funding and off-take agreements (http://ibn.fm/0AXpR). Discussions with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense to transfer a parcel of land required by the company for location of its processing plant, waste rock and tailings are nearing finalization, as are discussions with the Kryviy Rih City Council to lease a portion of the surface rights currently under that body’s control. The recent engagement of Ivan Markovich as Black Iron’s Vice President of Government and Community Relations will assist the company in these endeavors given his extensive network of relationships with senior Ukraine government officials.

The Shymanivske project holds a mining allotment permit for a large iron ore deposit with a NI 43-101 compliant resource estimated to contain 646 Mt (million tons) Measured and Indicated mineral resources, consisting of 355 Mt Measured mineral resources grading 31.6% total iron and 18.8% magnetic iron, and Indicated mineral resources of 290 Mt grading 31.1% total iron and 17.9% magnetic iron, using a cut-off grade of 10% magnetic iron. Additionally, there are 188 Mt of Inferred mineral resources grading 30.1% total iron and 18.4% magnetic iron.

Full mineral resource details and project economics can be found in the NI 43-101 compliant technical report entitled “Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Re-scoped Shymanivske Iron Ore Deposit” effective November 21, 2017, under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Management

Black Iron’s management and board of directors is stacked with experts well-versed in successfully building and operating iron ore projects. CEO Matt Simpson, P.Eng. is the former general manager of Mining for Rio Tinto’s Iron Core Company of Canada and worked for Hatch designing global metallurgical refineries. He is also a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Chairman Bruce Humphrey is the former COO of GoldCorp and former chairman of Consolidated Thompson Iron Ore mines which was sold to Cliff’s resources for US$4.9 billion.

Les Kwasik, COO, has over 40 years of hands-on experience building and operating mines globally with companies such as INCO (VALE) and Xstrata (Glencore). Paul Bozoki, CFO, is the former CFO of CD Capital Partners, operating in the Ukraine. Bill Hart, senior vice president of corporate development, has over 30 years of experience selling iron ore while working for Rio Tinto, Cliffs Natural Resources and most recently Roy Hill Holdings Ltd. Ivan Markovich was recently engaged in the capacity of Black Iron’s vice president of Government and Community Relations to leverage his extensive network of relationships with senior Ukraine government officials.

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

• Regulatory changes and shifting attitudes are contributing to the rapid growth of the legal cannabis sector
• According to a CIBC World Markets report, the industry has many representatives but only a few possess what it takes to dominate the new global market
• Management team strength, brand development, capital allocation, price target and distribution channel information can tell investors who the frontrunners in the industry are
• Based on these factors, The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings is shaping up as a leading entity to watch in 2019 and the years to come

As cannabis is rising to prominence, investors are turning their eyes to industry opportunities that have the best long-term potential. Currently, dozens of small and medium-sized businesses are generating moderate revenues, but only a few have what it takes to dominate the new global market, an Institutional Equity Research report by CIBC World Markets suggests.

The report pinpoints numerous factors that will influence the growth and development of industry representatives as cannabis continues gaining steam. These primary factors include a strong management team, strategy, capital allocation, brand development, distribution channels, price target and production and supply chain, among many others.

The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF), a cannabis-focused research and development company, ticks the boxes. For a start, the company has been working hard to strengthen its managerial team. On January 8, 2019, TGOD announced the addition of deep pharmaceutical and medical experience to the board of directors via the appointment of Dr. Caroline MacCallum and Jacques Dessureault (http://ibn.fm/sOYJk).

MacCallum is a leading cannabinoid-based medicine expert who has published the results of numerous academic trials pertaining to the dosage, use and administration of medical cannabis. Dessureault is known for his extensive pharmaceutical career, including an international role with Novartis.

Also in January, the company appointed Dr. Rav Kumar as its chief science officer (http://ibn.fm/OcMNO). Kumar has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. His international experience in Europe, North America and Asia focused on discovery, formulation, development, quality and compliance. In 2017, Kumar received the Canadian Pharmaceutical Sciences award for leadership.

According to the CIBC World Markets report, strong management teams offer investors the best guidelines in terms of entities that have the potential to become global leaders.

The management’s vision for the future is much more important in this industry than a valuation, the report concludes. While a valuation is still relevant, it matters less than in other industries. It has had little effect on cannabis trading patterns, while regulatory change, external investment and demonstration of operational execution have established themselves as much more important factors.

The industry report also examines potential stock catalysts that are bound to impact the sector even further in the years to come.

Strengthening the Tenth Amendment through the Entrusting States Act (STATES Act) is expected to be the likeliest path to de facto national legalization of cannabis in the United States. Deliberations are set to begin in 2019, potentially contributing to approval in 2020. The aim of the act is to legalize the possession, manufacturing and distribution of cannabis wherever such activities have been authorized by state law. Thus, if usage is permitted on a state level, it would also be granted on a federal level.

The Federal Farm Bill in the U.S. is yet another major step forward. The Federal Farm Bill removed hemp from the list of controlled substances, as long as the THC content remained below 0.3 percent. Complete removal is anticipated, and steps toward this major regulatory shift are expected in 2019 and throughout 2020.

A Global Shift

Progress isn’t just being made in North America. Several important milestones have also been hit globally.

Countries across the globe are starting to redefine their drug policies in an attempt to root out underground economies. A changing public opinion toward the use of cannabis products is also impacting decision-makers.

According to the industry report, countries like Germany, Colombia, Argentina and England will possibly introduce major policy changes in 2019 to ensure adult-use legalization. The report creators believe that Canadian companies who have already passed through a nationwide legislative reform may have an advantage in such international settings.

A final driver for change is the constant influx of information pertaining to the uses and the benefits of cannabis.

Multiple clinical trials are currently in the process of execution, and they’ll begin generating data in the very near future. Significant discoveries are anticipated, shaping up public opinions and fueling regulatory change even further.

As bans are lifted and medical research is carried out, discoveries will benefit cannabis producers. Until now, the medicinal benefits of cannabis had been supported predominantly by anecdotal evidence – a fact that’s rapidly changing.

The report concludes that the future of the industry is bright, regardless of the fact that various challenges are yet to be overcome. It is currently difficult to develop recognizable brands in Canada because of Health Canada advertising and labeling restrictions. There are also product limitations suggesting that companies are stuck within a limited scope of possibilities.

More developed markets, however, do matter, and they do provide chances for growth.

TGOD Eyeing International Markets

Canadian companies like The Green Organic Dutchman are already pursuing international opportunities.

On January 25, 2019, TGOD announced a definitive agreement for the launch of European production. The agreement with Queen Genetics/Knud Jepsen A/S establishes joint ventures in Denmark with a goal of expanding production into future low-cost European jurisdictions (http://ibn.fm/3wiet).

In October 2018, a HemPoland acquisition was finalized, further enabling the company to expand its international footprint. TGOD has also invested in Jamaica, as well as in Mexico.

Via these strategic partnerships and acquisitions, TGOD is expecting its annual capacity across Canada and Jamaica to reach 170,000 kilograms. The hemp capacity in Poland will contribute even further to the company’s international advantage.

The Green Organic Dutchman is a premium organic cannabis company focusing on the legal recreational and medicinal markets in Canada, Latin America and Europe. Sustainable, all-natural principles are the heart of the company’s corporate philosophy, with all TGOD products being laboratory-tested to ensure quality.

Emerging Industry Leaders

The CIBC World Markets report lists three other cannabis companies among the most likely to secure dominating positions on the global market: Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC), Cronos Group Inc. (TSX.V: MJN) (OTC: PRMCF) and Aphria Inc. (TSX: APHA) (NYSE: APHA). CIBC has initiated coverage of all three starting January 17. The report notes that Canopy and Cronos are likely to become leaders in their global fields, mostly due to their strong management, while Aphria, although a manufacturing and automation expert, may face some problems related to capital allocation and corporate governance, which could deter investors.

Canopy Growth, the first North American cannabis company to be publicly traded, is a diversified hemp and cannabis organization that offers a wide range of distinct brands and products. The company operates in more than 15 countries across five continents and runs 10 licensed cannabis production facilities with a production capacity of over 4.3 million square feet, including 500,000 square feet of GMP certified production space. With a declared goal of becoming the number one cannabis company in the world, Canopy Growth is also dedicated to educating the public, as well as health care practitioners, about the benefits of cannabis via robust clinical research, product and process innovation and state-of-the-art market execution.

Cronos Group, a globally diversified and vertically integrated cannabis company, operates across five continents via multiple international production and distribution platforms. The company also runs two wholly owned Canadian licensed producers under Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations. Cronos Group’s goal is to create the most valuable international cannabis community and set best practices in the field by building industry-leading companies and an iconic international brand portfolio while developing disruptive intellectual property.

Aphria, one of the earlier Canadian licensed producers, has a strong commitment to innovation and product quality at a low cost. The company works continuously to bring breakthrough innovation to the global cannabis market and to set the standard for the low-cost production of clean and safe pharmaceutical-grade cannabis. Aphria operates in more than 10 countries across five continents and is dedicated to meeting the needs of every consumer segment while building sustainable shareholder value via its diversified approach to global expansion, innovation and strategic partnerships.

Alongside The Green Organic Dutchman, these companies are likely to become dominant forces in the cannabis market, both nationally and worldwide, due to their strong commitments to innovation, education and global expansion. With powerful brand portfolios and an impressive international reach, each of these companies could provide significant shareholder value for the foreseeable future.

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

• Aziza has acquired a 20 percent stake in a Namibian hydrocarbon claim worth $100 million
• Hosting securitized tokenized investment fund to raise $60 million
• Plans to undertake $45 million, 10-well drilling program by year-end 2019

Covering roughly 27 million square kilometers, or 10 million square miles (http://ibn.fm/1tm4I), sub-Saharan Africa is the last unexplored frontier in the hydrocarbon world. Compared to Northern Africa and the Middle East, exploration activity in the region has been paltry. In Namibia, lying on the Atlantic, for example, less than 20 wells have been sunk over the past 50 years. Yet, despite this neglect by the majors (http://ibn.fm/x9Sva), “The drilling that has taken place to date has demonstrated beyond doubt that the region has the potential to become a new petroleum province, with all the indicators of hydrocarbons – from source-rock to structural traps – being confirmed.”

Now, Aziza Project LLC is hosting a tokenized investment fund to invest in oil and gas businesses operating in Southern Africa. It is offering an asset-backed security token, the Aziza Coin, which is compliant with the Ethereum blockchain ERC20 standard. Aziza has taken a one-fifth stake in Africa New Energies (“ANE”), which has concessions from the government of Namibia to explore for hydrocarbons. This investment, based on a recent offer, is now worth about $100 million. The fund is currently raising $60 million, $45 million of which it plans to spend on a drilling program that’s set to begin toward the end of 2019.

Africa is much bigger than you think. A traditional Mercator map makes it look the same size as Greenland, which covers 836,300 square miles, but Africa is 14 times larger, with a total land area of 11.73 million square miles. Most of that is below the Sahara. Sub-Saharan Africa covers approximately 10 million square miles. Yet, despite its immensity and promise, only a few dozen wells have been sunk in the entire Southern African region. By comparison, more than 20,000 wells have gone down in North Africa, about 14,000 in West Africa and another 600 in East Africa. As a result, sub-Saharan Africa’s oil production is just seven percent of world output.

However, change is on the horizon as the region garners attention. Some of the majors – ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell and British Petroleum – are acquiring assets and stepping up exploration activities (http://ibn.fm/RIgeN). ANE is part of this trend. However, while much of the mainstream oil and gas industry remains concentrated on the offshore sector, ANE is focusing on the much-neglected onshore sector, where it is exploring a vast concession in the east of the country that’s roughly the size of Wales. At present, the company is awaiting the results of a test bore conducted in September to help locate the presence of sub-surface water, along with evidence of any hydrocarbons in the region. ANE is planning a 10-well drilling program on the basis of positive results.

The $45 million program will be funded by offering $60 million worth of crypto tokens to investors. The tokens – Aziza Coins – represent an indirect fractional ownership interest in the Aziza Project. This means that Aziza Coin holders, in effect, own part of the Aziza Project and are economic beneficiaries who are able to share in any of the profits made by the organization. Aziza Coins are securitized tokens, or tokens that are financial securities. This distinguishes them from utility tokens and currency tokens. Utility tokens are simply a way of representing access to a service, product or rights. A good example is a Filecoin, which allows holders access to its decentralized cloud storage platform. Currency tokens, like bitcoin, are meant to be a medium of exchange, like any other form of money. Security tokens, however, are securities governed by federal laws.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Aziza.io

• QMC confirms strike extension at the Irgon Dike
• QMC identifies two additional, parallel, lithium-bearing targets
• QMC soon to commence exploratory mineralogical drilling
• Irgon’s additional spodumene-bearing targets could significantly increase the historical resource estimate

QMC Quantum Minerals Corp. (OTC: QMCQF) (TSX.V: QMC) (FSE: 3LQ) received extremely encouraging results from the recent mobile metal ion (“MMI”) geochemical soil survey carried out at its flagship project at the Irgon Lithium Mine.

The Irgon Lithium Mine Project, located within the Cat Lake-Winnipeg River rare-element pegmatite field of southeastern Manitoba, has demonstrated exceptional promise in terms of lithium extraction. QMC received data from the recent MMI geochemical orientation survey which successfully identified the position of an unexposed western extension of the Irgon Pegmatite Dike. The company will push its exploration program forward using the MMI technique to identify additional resources within this prolific pegmatite field.

In addition, the MMI survey results indicate the presence of two separate strong geochemical anomalies lying north and south of the Irgon Dike which signify potential for the existence of buried, parallel, mineralized pegmatite dikes. Neither location features any surface rock outcropping or visible spodumene mineralization. The company’s consultant, SGS Canada, has indicated to QMC that it believes these strong MMI geochemical responses are indicative of buried lithium-bearing pegmatite occurrences. The source of these MMI anomalies will be tested during the upcoming field season.

Both QMC and its consultant, SGS Canada, which conducted the survey, are extremely pleased with the findings stated in the company’s January 9, 2019, press release (http://ibn.fm/55Oan). QMC plans to initiate additional MMI sampling across the inferred strike of these anomalies to further define the presence of underlying, mineralized pegmatite structures. The sampling will occur prior to the initiation of drill testing at these locations. According to QMC, as these anomalies are further sampled and drill tested, there will be significant potential to increase the currently available – albeit historic – resource estimate (1.2M tons at 1.51 percent Li2O) published for the property.

The MMI orientation survey was carried out over the buried western extension of the spodumene-bearing Irgon Dike. Sample spacing was set at an interval of 10 meters directly above the projected strike extension and expanded to 20 meters at the line extremities. Two sampling depths were tested, and both produced equally positive responses. A total of 40 MMI soil samples were collected as a part of this initial orientation survey.

Given that this technique has yielded encouraging results by identifying the presence of underlying mineralization within the Irgon Dike, QMC plans to continue to use it over other prospective target areas known to occur at the Irgon Mine Property.

QMC has been working diligently to identify a domestic source of lithium within its historically lithium-rich Manitoba Irgon Property. Efforts until now have been focused on previously explored but underdeveloped hard rock mineral sites known within the property. However, with these new parallel targets recently identified by the MMI survey, QMC will continue to broaden its exploration focus.

Over two years have been invested into the research and exploration of the Manitoba property. Typically, hard rock lithium projects require between three and five years to bring into production. As part of that process, QMC is currently updating the historic resource and anticipates completion of a NI 43-101 resource report.

The Irgon Lithium Mine Project encompasses 11,325 acres. A prior historical report estimated that the project hosts 1.2 million tons of Li2O grading 1.51 percent over a strike length of 365 meters and to a depth of 213 meters. Further exploration is currently taking place by QMC and is expected to identify additional tonnages with comparable or higher grades than those reported in the historic estimates.

QMC is a British Columbia-based company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of resource properties. Its primary objective is to locate and produce economically viable precious, rare, base metal resource properties. QMC’s portfolio currently consists of the Irgon Mine Project in southeastern Manitoba and two volcanic massive sulphide (“VMS”) gold, copper and zinc properties encompassing approximately 23,000 hectares (57,000 acres) located in the prolific Flin Flon/Snow Lake VMS mining district of northern Manitoba. These two properties, the Rocky Lake and the Rocky Namew Properties, are collectively known as Namew Lake District Project.

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

• Total revenue in the second quarter of fiscal year 2019 up to $648,265
• Revenue growth is due to an increase in hemp and CBD product sales, as well as heightened subscriptions totals
• As the hemp and CBD markets continue to expand, ChineseInvestors.com is expecting even stronger performance through the second half of FY2019

ChineseInvestors.com Inc. (OTCQB: CIIX), developer of a proprietary financial news media and content platform providing information to the global Chinese-speaking community, recently announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2019, pinpointing a number of important accomplishments. A revenue increase of more than 50 percent year-over-year is one of the key milestones presented in January 22, 2019, news release (http://ibn.fm/U36su).

One of the biggest drivers for the excellent financial performance was the increase in hemp and CBD sales revenue. Year-over-year, hemp and CBD sales revenues were up by eight percent.

Subscription revenues for the premier financial information website targeting Chinese-speaking investors also increased by 40 percent year-over-year.

These two primary factors driving the growth of ChineseInvestors.com contributed to revenues of $648,265 for the second quarter of fiscal year 2019. For the six months ended November 30, total revenue reached $1,360,625, in comparison to $882,951 for the same period of 2017.

These results indicate that CIIX’s investment in existing markets, as well as new opportunities, has paid off, as noted by ChineseInvestors.com CEO Warren Wang. ChineseInvestors.com’s investors are positioned to benefit from the growth drivers that have already been implemented, including the launch of CBD Biotechnology Co. Ltd.’s Hemp Wine.

CBD Biotechnology Co Ltd. is a wholly owned ChineseInvestors.com foreign enterprise. Hemp Wine was launched mid-January 2019. The product is a self-branded type of rice wine created to specifically target the global Chinese wellness market. The proprietary blend includes hemp, ginseng and other carefully chosen ingredients (http://ibn.fm/omBYw).

In 2018, CBD Biotechnology Company put many drivers in place to fuel future growth, CFO Alex Hamilton said. The progress registered in China is very exciting, and the company will continue to develop innovative hemp and CBD products in the future, he concluded.

CBD Biotechnology also focuses its activities on the sales of hemp-infused skin care products via both digital and traditional distribution channels. The expansion of the consumer line and the prominence of hemp/CBD products are expected to fuel further positive developments in 2019, on top of the subscription-based services offered by ChineseInvestors.com.

According to Wang, ChineseInvestors.com is looking forward to an even stronger performance in the upcoming months. “As we leverage the momentum already in place, we look forward to having an even stronger second half for FY 2019,” he noted in a news release.

The story of ChineseInvestors.com started in 1999 when the company was set up for the purpose of providing real-time market commentary, analysis and education-related services in Chinese via an online platform. In addition, the company offers advertising and PR support services, direct and online sales of hemp-based products and other related health products.

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

• Kontrol Energy Corp. targets HVAC, lighting and water usage to help maximize energy savings for customers
• Customers see a cost savings ranging from 25-30 percent after implementing Kontrol’s energy efficiency services
• The company has recently made inroads into the cannabis industry, where companies are seeking ways to maximize profits and minimize energy costs

Kontrol Energy Corp. (CSE: KNR) (FSE: 1K8), a leader in the energy efficiency sector, aims to help customers eliminate energy waste, maximizing their profit margins while also increasing sustainability and improving building operations. Kontrol, which was named Canada’s seventh-fastest growing start-up in 2018, offers a suite of smart products and services that allows any company to turn an existing space into a “smart building.”

Kontrol’s customers enjoy a high rate of return on their investment in these efficiency measures (30 percent or more), as well as instant energy savings ranging from 25-30 percent. The highly advanced system allows customers access to real-time energy data and analytics measurements, as well as analysis and optimization of their data settings. The company pledges that “any building can be smart” and seeks to help organizations benefit from energy costs savings while minimizing their greenhouse gas emissions (http://ibn.fm/tdNYQ). Greenhouse gases, or GHGs, are gaseous compounds that are able to absorb infrared radiation, which absorbs and holds heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. In all of its endeavors, Kontrol seeks to lower dangerous greenhouse gas emissions and eliminate energy waste.

Buildings in North America have been found to waste $60 billion in energy every year and also account for up to 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. By targeting the main culprits of energy waste, Kontrol offers a multi-pronged approach to help companies realize their energy efficiency goals. While HVAC systems typically occupy 70 percent of the overall energy consumption in a building, Kontrol offers the latest smart technologies and real-time energy monitoring to decrease these costs. Additionally, the company offers LED lighting options, which can last up to 25 times longer and use up to 75 percent less energy than standard lighting solutions. Finally, the company helps clients lower their energy consumption and GHG emissions by improving their water efficiency.

While Kontrol enables businesses to turn their modern buildings into “smart” buildings, the company stands by its goal of truly revolutionizing any building, regardless of its age. To this end, the company offers a retrofitting service, which allows clients to maximize the potential of their existing buildings in order to meet their energy savings goals.

Diversifying its clientele, Kontrol has also entered the cannabis market as a supplier of energy services. It recognizes that emerging companies have a vested interest in maximizing profits and maintaining low energy costs. Kontrol hopes (http://ibn.fm/lao14) to “provide a competitive advantage for cannabis growers seeking to optimize their energy demand and consumption.”

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

• The company is on target to meet the more stringent reporting standards and compliance requirements for a successful uplisting
• Niche acquisitions and a vertically-integrated strategy will further enable the company’s sustainable market growth in the years to come
• Cannabis Strategic Ventures aims to create and control specific cannabis industry niches through focused brand development and acquisitions of hard assets for growth, distribution and manufacturing

Los Angeles-based cannabis industry incubator Cannabis Strategic Ventures Inc. (OTC: NUGS) recently submitted its application to uplist to the OTCQB Venture Market, a move that supports the company’s broader, acquisition-based growth strategy. According to a press release, OTCQB uplisting requires compliance with more rigorous criteria, transparent financial reporting and completion of an extensive certification and verification process (http://ibn.fm/bQ4CK).

Following the proposed uplisting, the company will need to maintain a minimum share price and provide investors with increased transparency, which could result in greater liquidity and awareness. Cannabis Strategic Ventures’ management is confident that all of these requirements are fully met.

“We have many new initiatives planned in 2019 and we are managing our business operations for growth. This uplisting is designed to demonstrate to our investors and to the marketplace that Cannabis Strategic Ventures is well-prepared for the future,” Cannabis Strategic Ventures CEO Simon Yu stated in a news release.

The uplisting supports the company’s broader growth strategy, which is primarily based on acquisitions of both cannabidiol brands and hard assets, such as growth facilities. A diversified portfolio will allow Cannabis Strategic Ventures to tap into multiple market niches and capitalize on the constantly growing cannabis sector.

According to forecasts, legal cannabis spending worldwide will increase from $20.1 billion in 2018 to $43.3 billion in 2022 and $63.5 billion in 2024 (http://ibn.fm/JyMgz). In North America alone, the industry is expected to grow from $9.2 billion in 2017 to $47.3 billion just a decade later (http://ibn.fm/7yyI3). Industry analysis suggests that recreational use will dominate sales in North America, while medical use will yield more sales in Europe.

Cannabis Strategic Ventures aims to create and control specific cannabis industry niches by developing cannabis consumer brands. The company’s approach is based on experience in an array of key fields, including cannabis cultivation; personnel services for the cannabis industry; product development; and technological solutions that meet the needs of manufacturers, cultivators, dispensaries and other legal cannabis industry representatives.

The Cannabis Strategic Ventures portfolio already features a collection of niche brands like Halo Filters, The Asher House Wellness, Fitamins, LYXR and Pure Applied Sciences.

The company continues to invest in and develop companies within the cannabis and ancillary sectors. Both startups and growth stage businesses are of interest to the Cannabis Strategic Ventures leadership team. The company provides the capital, know-how and networking opportunities required to ensure the fast and sustainable growth of represented brands.

Additionally, Cannabis Strategic Ventures is working toward expanding its product lines to feature beauty products, while cultivation and manufacturing strategies featured in the corporate portfolio enable better vertical integration.

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

• Icon Exploration CEO Rob Fia selected City View Green after careful consideration of industry trends and expectations
• City View Green team offers experience and production potential, as well as a 40,000 square foot production facility and a pending medical license through Health Canada
• Medicinal cannabis market has been projected to reach $25 billion by 2020

Icon Exploration Inc. (TSX.V: IEX.H), a well-diversified company aiming to augment its shareholders’ investments, is making moves to become a major player in the cannabis industry, which continues to flourish in Canada and the United States due to recent legalization legislation.

The company’s goal in the rapidly growing cannabis market is to become a leading purveyor of medicinal and recreational cannabis while keeping customer ease and satisfaction at the center of its comprehensive user experience.

Historically, cannabis companies’ market value has been tied to their ability to produce large quantities of product, as well as their ability to secure licensing status in the medical cannabis sector. As the industry has evolved, drawing a larger number of players to the table, companies have had to increase innovation and strategy to maintain competitive. Currently, “Investors are focusing more on production costs, extraction processes, and consumer products that will become legal” in the future (http://ibn.fm/6qSAk). New companies are focusing on cannabis edibles, beverages and cosmetics infused with cannabidiol (CBD), among other products.

With Icon Exploration’s current focus on the cannabis industry, president and CEO Rob Fia has spent several years surveying industry trends, aiming to secure a smaller company that met criteria which he felt would create sustainable success, even weathering potential market fluctuations in the coming years. He sought to acquire a company (http://ibn.fm/2QqUa), intent on “lowering production costs and developing efficient extraction and processing methodologies.” He cited the importance of “developing consumer products focused on the retail market, because the higher margins and potential will be there, not in flower.” Finally, he wanted to acquire a state-of-the art growing facility and build a management and operations team with industry experience. He saw such potential in City View Green (“CVG”).

Icon Exploration earlier signed a formal share exchange agreement relating to its proposed acquisition of City View Green, a vertically integrated cannabis company incorporated under the laws of Ontario, Canada. Though Fia was approached by many companies, CVG offered the production potential and industry presence for which he was searching.

The City View Green team, by “building its company from scratch,” has been able to avoid the industry pitfalls witnessed in other companies. It expects to receive its license from Health Canada in the near future (http://ibn.fm/YJZRA) and “is in discussions with partners that could provide access to 37 stores across Canada for distribution.” Additionally, the company is building a 40,000 square foot cultivation facility in Ontario, which will be focused on producing pharmaceutical-grade cannabis.

Through its strategic acquisitions and moves into the burgeoning cannabis industry, Icon Exploration continues to fulfill its mission of creating a well-diversified company that’s able to produce long-term returns for its shareholders and investors.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.IconExploration.net

• Board strengthened through appointment of independent directors
• Additional talent rounds up management team as preparations for planned uplisting escalate
• Pursuit of over 20 cannabis licenses from California Bureau of Cannabis Control continues
• NUGS plans to develop 250,000 square feet of cultivation space

Cannabis Strategic Ventures Inc. (OTC: NUGS) recently added a number of cannabis industry insiders to its executive team and board of directors. In October 2018, the company announced the appointment of Alan Tran to its board of directors. Tran brings strong financial and strategic skills to Cannabis Strategic Ventures, having led several successful management, consulting and financial teams, not only within the cannabis, health care and technology market sectors, but also within leading Fortune 500 companies. More recently, NUGS has declared its intention to add two independent directors to the board. This is a precursor to its planned uplisting to the OTCQB Venture Market. The company also intends to add additional brands and assets to its portfolio.

“The following board of director and team appointments reflect the growth we’ve experienced as a company and our commitment to positioning Cannabis Strategic Ventures as a leader in the cannabis industry,” Simon Yu, CEO of Cannabis Strategic Ventures, noted in a news release. “As we begin the uplisting process and take advantage of increasingly favorable cannabis legislation worldwide, having a leading team in place will allow us to quickly scale and address industry demands.”

The board of directors was strengthened through the appointments of Tad Mailander and Jesus Quintero (http://ibn.fm/Vqqjx). Mailander, who is currently a director of American Cannabis Company, is an attorney with experience in handling SEC-related matters. Jesus Quintero is presently CFO of MassRoots, a leading technology platform for the cannabis industry. Quintero previously served as CFO of Brazil Interactive Media. He has a wealth of experience in public company reporting. Accounting scandals in the 2000s have caused Congress and a variety of regulatory bodies to strengthen governance requirements – including the appointment of independent directors – for public companies.

NUGS’ executive suite will also see two new faces. The company has named Chris Young as its chief strategy officer. Young, who is currently a board member, is an accomplished entertainment lawyer, fashion entrepreneur and venture capital investor. Arlene Guzman will become vice president of communications and operations. Guzman previously worked at Vantage Point Capital Partners, a firm with more than $4.5 billion in capital under management. She brings over 15 years’ experience as a communications and operations professional in the venture capital and government spaces.

Cannabis Strategic Ventures expects its planned uplisting to provide readier access to capital, as well as increasing the market and liquidity of the company’s securities. Recently, the company finalized the audit of its fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, marking the last of three audits required by the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) as a condition of becoming a fully reporting company.

The company has been executing a number of initiatives over the past few months. Earlier in December, it announced its pursuit of over 20 cannabis licenses from the California Bureau of Cannabis Control, which it expects will lead to the development of a substantial cannabis growth operation of approximately 250,000 square feet of turnkey greenhouse space. NUGS will commence cultivating as soon as licenses are issued (http://ibn.fm/iVdJl).

In November, details of a deal with Biolog Inc. were announced. NUGS and Biolog, a portfolio client, will embark on a program to develop water-soluble cannabis technologies for use in cannabis- and phytocannabinoid-rich infused foods, beverages and consumer products.

In July, NUGS signed an agreement with Sunniva Inc. (CSE: SNN) (OTCQX: SNNVF), under which a Sunniva subsidiary, CP Logistics, LLC (“CPL”), will provide cannabis concentrate extraction services to Pure Applied Sciences, Inc. (“PAS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cannabis Strategic Ventures. CPL will perform white label services, producing high quality, ultra-purified cannabis extracts out of its Sun-Oil Facility in Cathedral City, California, for PAS under the “Pure Organix” brand – a brand that was recently acquired by Cannabis Strategic Ventures. The agreement is for a 12-month term and may be renewed for an additional 12 months at the request of PAS at the expiry of the initial term (http://ibn.fm/cBH56).

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

• The Flowr Corporation anticipates maximizing yield even further, lowering production costs to C$2.05 per gram in 2019
• Company seeking strategic partnerships to ensure solid distribution channels and opportunities to advance cultivation techniques
• Cannabis supply expected to surpass demand, giving competitive advantages to companies with high yields and low production costs

Canadian cannabis product manufacturer The Flowr Corporation (TSX.V: FLWR) (OTC: FLWPF) has designed and built 17 cultivation facilities to date, relying on innovative processes to ensure high yields and low production costs. This methodology could give Flowr a competitive advantage moving forward as anticipated changes occur in the cannabis sector.

A vertically integrated company, The Flowr Corporation produces premium cannabis products and currently operates under three producer licenses issued by Health Canada. Under the guidance of its knowledgeable and experienced executive team, the company has established a flagship Kelowna campus — a facility that’s considered to be one of the most advanced in terms of cannabis cultivation worldwide.

Such assets could provide Flowr with a significant advantage over the competition in the next few years. According to industry analysis, an upcoming supply glut is anticipated in the cannabis sector. Supply is on pace to surpass demand for the product by 2020, a market development that will favor producers capable of ensuring high yields and cost efficiency (http://ibn.fm/bvEXa).

The Flowr Corporation differentiates itself from the competition through the exceptional yield per square foot at its production facilities. As the supply continues to increase, companies will be forced to reduce their prices in order to remain competitive. Flowr has already reached a price point that may be difficult for others to surpass.

To increase its competitiveness even further, Flowr is currently working on optimizing its yield. Company co-founder and Chairman Steve Klein noted that yield is the most important performance indicator in the industry. Higher yields reduce production costs, and, in 2019, Flowr anticipates reaching a cost of C$2.05 per gram.

According to an article published by investment advice website The Motley Fool, Flowr beats most Canadian producers when it comes to crop yields. The company’s cost per gram announced for 2019 is lower than what large marijuana producers such as Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) and Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) are capable of offering.

Flowr has also been working to ensure a solid distribution network via partnerships with reputable industry representatives.

Earlier this month, Flowr and Shoppers Drug Mart announced a multiyear deal for the supply of medical cannabis for the Shoppers online store (http://ibn.fm/XVj62). Shoppers Drug Mart is Canada’s largest retail pharmacy chain, with 1,300 locations from coast to coast.

The partnership will provide patients with premium medicinal cannabis, according to Flowr co-CEO Tom Flow. Strict processes and state-of-the-art growing facilities enable Flowr to provide patients with high-quality product and consistent benefits.

Flowr focuses on premium and ultra-premium production. As a result, the company anticipates appealing even more to an exclusive group of customers. In addition, this adherence to strict industry standards resulted in a research and development partnership with Scotts Miracle-Gro (NYSE: SMG) subsidiary Hawthorne Gardening. In October 2018, the two companies broke ground on North America’s first research and development facility dedicated to advancing cannabis cultivation techniques (http://ibn.fm/3i2x6).

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