• Petroteq is strategically expanding its oil sands resource through the acquisition of operating rights and interests under U.S. federal oil and gas leases
• The agreement encompasses 8,480 gross acres in Utah; the new agreement and a previous one will give Petroteq 100 percent operating rights for oil sands development
• Expert estimates establish a significant oil/bitumen resource at both the Tar Sands Triangle and the P.R. Springs federal oil and gas leases
• The move is the latest step in what is seen as a potential revolution in the oil industry, using Petroteq’s patented technology to efficiently capture heavy oil that was not previously accessible

Petroteq Energy Inc. (TSX.V: PQE) (OTCQX: PQEFF), a fully integrated oil and gas company, announced on April 16, 2019, that it is executing a definitive agreement for the acquisition of an additional 50 percent of the operating rights and interests relating to oil sands in the state of Utah, under U.S. federal oil and gas leases.

The U.S. federal oil and gas leases encompass approximately 8,480 gross acres (4,240 net acres), the company said in a news release (http://ibn.fm/1YaWA). This acquisition, as well as the previous one carried out by Petroteq for 50 percent of the operating rights and interests under the same lease, will give the company 100 percent of the operating rights for oil sands development.

As per the acquisition terms and conditions, Petroteq’s wholly owned subsidiary, TMC Capital LLC, will acquire Petrollo LP Corp. – a Nevada corporation with an undivided 50 percent interest in the operating rights under a federal oil and gas lease located in P.R. Springs and five federal and oil gas leases located in the Tar Sands Triangle.

Under all of the leases, the operating rights include the right to explore for and produce bitumen and heavy oil from oil-impregnated bituminous sand formations.

According to Chapman Petroleum Engineering Ltd., estimates suggest that all of the operating rights interests acquired under the P.R. Springs lease will give Petroteq access to a gross contingent resource of 90 million barrels of mineable oil/bitumen. The arithmetic average after risk estimate is set at 40.77 million barrels of mineable bitumen/oil.

The remaining operating rights for the Tar Sands Triangle lease are estimated to contain 41.3 million barrels of in situ oil/bitumen. The arithmetic average after risk is 20.7 million barrels.

According to Petroteq CEO David Sealock, the acquisition is a part of the company’s oil sands acquisition strategy focused on the state of Utah and including federal leases that cover lands and areas deemed as special tar sand areas.

Petroteq is focused on the development and implementation of new proprietary technologies for oil extraction. The environmentally safe and sustainable approach for the extraction of heavy oil and bitumen from oil sands, shale and shallow oil deposits produces zero greenhouse emissions or waste and does not necessitate the use of high temperatures. The successful processing of oil from such deposits represents a potential revolution in the oil industry, much as fracking did before, and could represent a huge step forward.

As a part of its expansion strategy, Petroteq is currently focused on increasing its oil sand resources and expanding the company’s production capacity at the Asphalt Ridge heavy oil extraction facility. Crude oil processing at Asphalt Ridge started last year, and, recently, the company announced that it has achieved two weeks of continuous production using its proprietary technology at a benchmark level.

In the beginning of 2019, the Asphalt Ridge facility underwent an expansion aimed at increasing its production capacity to 1,000 barrels per day. Currently, the company is preparing to move the facility into the second stage of its production lifecycle, with an aim of reaching 4,000 barrels per day by the end of Q1 2020. Notably, permit approval has not been received as planned; it was expected in Q1 2019.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Petroteq.energy

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

• Siyata is a leading global developer and provider of cellular communications systems
• Company recently launched the world’s first 4G LTE all-in-one fleet communications device, marketed under the Uniden Cellular brand
• Details of Siyata’s first purchase order from a Tier 1 U.S. cellular carrier as an official vendor are forthcoming
• Siyata is a TSX Venture Top 50 Company, and it has already launched in Canada with Bell Canada

Siyata Mobile Inc. (TSX.V: SIM) (OTCQX: SYATF) is a leading global developer and provider of cellular communications solutions for enterprise customers. Siyata specializes in connected vehicle products marketed under the Uniden Cellular brand for professional fleets. The company announced its first purchase order from a Tier 1 U.S. cellular carrier for its flagship product, the Uniden UV350, in a news release issued early last month (http://ibn.fm/8GTOZ). Details of the commercial launch of the Uniden UV350 in the U.S. will be announced shortly, according to Marc Seelenfreund, CEO of Siyata Mobile.

“Siyata is not only first to market but has created a completely new device category, likened to the rugged phone, the rugged tablet and feature phone categories all which sold millions of devices through Tier 1 U.S and global carriers,” Seelenfreund stated in the news release. “The UV350 represents a completely untapped yet equal opportunity which meets the needs of First Responder and commercial vehicles around the world and we are excited to be included in the ranks of the leading global cellular vendors.”

In its 2018 National Transportation Statistics report, the U.S. Department of Transportation notes that there are more than 12.6 million commercial vehicles on the road. The commercial vehicle market, which includes several million first responder vehicles, is predicted to continue its steady growth (http://ibn.fm/tDT2D). The nation’s freight transportation system moved nearly 17.7 billion tons of goods, valued at more than $18.1 trillion, in 2016, the report states, with trucks carrying the largest share of goods shipped.

Siyata’s opportunity in this sector is massive, given the potentially large number of commercial vehicles that need to replace an aging two-way LMR technology with push-to-talk over cellular (“PoC”) technology. The Uniden UV350 was designed specifically for commercial vehicles to ensure safer communication for professional drivers. It is the first 4G/LTE all-in-one in-vehicle fleet communication device that delivers crystal clear cellular voice calls, push-to-talk over cellular, data applications and more (http://ibn.fm/vEu26).

Siyata aims to become the connected vehicle communications device of choice for commercial fleets and first responders around the world. The company also offers rugged phones for industrial users and signal boosters for homes, buildings and fleets with poor cell coverage. Siyata’s customers include cellular operators, commercial vehicle technology distributors and fleets of all sizes in Canada, the U.S., Europe, Australia and the Middle East.

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

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

• As the anticipated legalization of edible cannabis products approaches in Canada, Sproutly is developing an infused beverage lineup by entering into a joint venture with Canadian beer maker Moosehead Breweries
• The JV creates a standalone company drawing on Sproutly’s water-soluble Infuz2O technology and Moosehead’s decades of beverage market experience
• The proprietary Infuz2O technology offers the advantage of a controlled rapid-on/rapid-off effect, similar to recreational cannabis use but without being smoked
• The cannabis-infused beverage market is expected to generate revenues in the billions by 2024 as consumers seek alternatives to alcohol

Sproutly Canada Inc. (OTCQB: SRUTF) (CSE: SPR) (FRA: 38G) will lend its technological breakthrough in naturally produced, water-soluble cannabinoids to a joint venture with one of Canada’s oldest and largest independent breweries to create a line of non‐alcoholic cannabis-infused beverages, anticipating the legalization of edible forms of cannabis in Canada later this year.

The joint venture between Sproutly and OCC Holdings Ltd., an affiliate of Moosehead Breweries Limited, will be structured as a standalone company with its own board of directors and management team. Sproutly and Moosehead are working through the legal details of the venture, but they expect to have it up and running by May 31, as stated in a news released detailing the plans (http://ibn.fm/tRQzF).

The joint venture’s product line will utilize Sproutly’s proprietary Infuz2O water-soluble cannabis formulation to create a truly natural cannabis beverage experience that serves as an alternative to alcoholic products. The Infuz2O technology is expected to grant the beverages a rapid onset and offset time similar to traditional flower cannabis, for an immediate, controllable and good-tasting recreational cannabis experience lasting up to 90 minutes. Traditional cannabis oils, on the other hand, may last for hours and have a more unpredictable duration.

Moosehead, in turn, will lend its respective strengths to the venture, providing proven ability in building, marketing and selling beer on an international scale over the course of more than 150 years.

“With the anticipated legalization of edibles in Canada later this year, Moosehead has made the strategic decision to enter the cannabis beverage market,” Moosehead CEO Andrew Oland stated in a news release. “As a 152 year old company spanning six generations, we are very selective about new business opportunities. After a significant amount of due diligence on Sproutly’s APP technology and Infuz2O water soluble cannabinoids vs other competitive technologies, we are excited to announce this joint venture. With their advanced technology and our long-standing product development experience, we expect to bring to Canadian consumers cannabis beverages that address the major issues currently limiting appeal of this category in other markets.”

Each company will hold a 50 percent interest in the JV and have the right to nominate three directors. Moosehead executive Matthew Oland has been named incoming CEO of the venture, and Sproutly will determine the board chairperson. The contract for Sproutly’s exclusive Infuz2O service will last five years, with the potential for extension as revenue targets are met.

“This partnership with Moosehead marks an important milestone in Sproutly’s mission of delivering a safe and consistent whole plant experience from cannabis, with a lead position in the beverage market,” Sproutly CEO Keith Dolo added. “We have developed a relationship with Moosehead built on trust and our shared vision of creating safe, responsible and high-quality cannabis beverages and we look forward to making this a reality for Canadian consumers.”

A presentation on the JV (http://ibn.fm/P6zfY) states that the beverages will initially be marketed only in Canada, maintaining the ability to enter the European market if and when edible recreational cannabis use is legalized there.

In early April, Sproutly announced that wholly owned subsidiary Toronto Herbal Remedies Inc. (“THR”) had been granted a processing license from Health Canada that allows THR to produce cannabis oil and related products (http://ibn.fm/fmFqX). The license allows Sproutly to extend development of the cannabis strain formulations that the company plans to use in its cannabis beverages and to perform shelf-stability and other necessary testing in anticipation of legalized edibles.

Deloitte researchers predict that the cannabis-infused beverages sector will reach somewhere between $900 million and $4.4 billion by 2024, depending on the percentage of the market it captures (http://ibn.fm/tug3z).

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

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

• LXRP CEO Chris Bunka and President John Docherty have agreed to new, three-year contracts
• The new contract agreements are designed to provide management security with continuity of key officers
• The company recently canceled 1,140,000 stock options after negotiations with optionees

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) has successfully negotiated new three-year compensation contracts with key officers Chris Bunka, CEO, and John Docherty, president. The agreements offer LXRP and its shareholders the security of pursuing corporate growth within a seamless transition by providing management continuity. The renewal agreements are retroactive to January 1, 2019 (http://ibn.fm/V8SmJ).

The agreements offer both officers compensation and bonuses based on meeting certain performance criteria established by the LXRP board. The agreements also offer a one-time bonus based on consideration for the sale of any subsidiary or change of control, excluding certain circumstances, as well as continuing participation in the LXRP stock option plan.

LXRP also announced that, effective April 5, 2019, the company was canceling 1,140,000 stock options with exercise prices ranging from $0.10 to $2.06 after reaching agreements with certain optionees.

Based in British Columbia, Canada, LXRP is a biotechnology company and drug-delivery platform innovator, with DehydraTECH as its proprietary absorption technology platform. The company has developed and out-licenses its disruptive technology, which promotes healthier ingestion methods and lower overall dosing. LXRP holds a patent for oral delivery of all cannabinoids and has a growing IP portfolio that includes 10 patents granted in the United States and Australia and more than 50 patent applications worldwide across 10 patent families.

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

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

• The company provides fully and partially owned firms with the same management efforts and mentorship services
• Its Blue Ocean Strategy is pushing SHRG forward with sustained revenue growth
• SHRG expanding into Canada is the first step in a larger international expansion plan

Sharing Services Global Corporation (OTCQB: SHRG) owns, operates or controls interests in direct-selling companies. The company’s diversified portfolio allows it to reshape how today’s entrepreneur achieves success through a model that provides management, buying power, merchant processing, manufacturing and administrative services to already established direct-selling and network-marketing firms.

By leveraging the abilities of numerous direct-selling and network-marketing businesses, SHRG is able to offer products and services directly to the consumer through Elepreneurs, or independent representatives. Elepreneurs is a term coined by SHRG that summarizes the company’s mission of elevating today’s entrepreneurs by revolutionizing the direct-selling industry.

To do this, SHRG created its blue ocean strategy. The goals of SHRG’s blue ocean strategy are threefold:

1. Elevate home-based entrepreneurs;
2. Utilize the direct-selling channel to generate 100 percent organic growth; and
3. Create successful independent business leaders.

The company has already seen rapid growth from this strategy. In January 2019, SHRG reported approximately 29,000 Elepreneurs and 200,000 customers. The combination of quality products, the excellent performance of Elepreneurs and the continued satisfaction of customers have played a vital role in SHRG’s performance.

“We [are] on track for a great first full year since launching our incredible health and wellness division of Elevacity Global and Elepreneurs,” Sharing Services CEO John “JT” Thatch stated in a recent press release (http://ibn.fm/EbMq3). “March sales revenues are proof that our Blue Ocean Strategy is being well accepted in the direct-selling marketplace. We look forward to closing out our year-end this month, while expanding into Canada for further growth opportunities.”

The company has aggressive plans to expand rapidly and increase revenues. Earlier this year, the company changed its name from Sharing Services Inc. to Sharing Services Global Corporation to better represent its global expansion plan. The next step in its international strategy involves plans for Elepreneur LLC to expand into Canada. The company’s first Canadian event is scheduled to take place on May 3-4 in Ottawa, Ontario.

Management notes that integrity, respect and dedication are at the heart of all that SHRG does. The company intends to continue to share its great products and services by utilizing its blue ocean strategy in the United States and as it expands globally.

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

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

• Company’s TV spot recently aired on Fox News, Lifetime and the Cooking Channel
• A Shark Tank entrepreneur introduces the commercial by explaining how ETST can address ‘aches and pains’
• Infomercial campaign is also available online and on social media

Earth Science Tech Inc. (OTCQB: ETST), a biotech company focused on the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields, is airing its ‘As Seen On TV’ infomercial in the New York market. During the 60-second spot, entrepreneur Kevin Harrington, an original shark on Shark Tank, explains that ETST’s full-spectrum cannabinoids can help with ‘aches and pains’ (http://ibn.fm/qWL1I).

The infomercial (http://ibn.fm/bmE3x) is highly personal, focusing on the improvement in lifestyle of real-life ETST customer Rhoda Friedman. During the ad, Friedman notes how using Earth Science Tech products freed up her movement and improved her lifestyle. The spot explains how case studies have proven that full-spectrum cannabinoids, derived from industrial-grade hemp, can reduce pain and inflammation and improve sleep. The ad also notes that consumers can purchase ETST products online or in local health foods stores.

ETST announced that markets and networks will be added to the infomercial campaign, which is scheduled to run through July 14. Initially airing in New York on Fox News, Lifetime and the Cooking Channel, the spot may also be seen online and on social media. It airs between 9 p.m. and midnight Eastern. New York was selected as the initial market, because it is one of the largest consumer-based areas in the United States, ETST officials noted.

“I am really excited that we have completed production and are now able to share Rhoda Friedman’s amazing story with the world,” Nickolas S. Tabraue, ETST’s president and chairman, said in a news release. “We are passionate about our products and the life-changing potential they offer.” Tabraue also praised Kevin Harrington’s team.

ETST’s full-spectrum cannabinoids offer analgesic pain relief and anxiety reduction, the company aded. ETST offers cannabinoids in the form of soft gels, tablets, liquids and other forms classified as food-based, with the products being permissible in all 50 states in the United States and some 40 countries.

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

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

• Wildflower Brands is poised to take its cannabis brand into Europe, beginning with Poland, thanks to its recently announced arrangement with major pharmaceutical distributor Two Towers
• Analysts anticipate a coming cannabidiol (CBD) boom in Europe, where related products are only just beginning to gain attention
• This and other acquisitions are seen as the first steps in Wildflower’s carefully planned strategy for international growth

An agreement between wellness brand builder Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF) and wholesale medicinal product distributor Two Towers indicates that doors are opening to a potential array of important new markets for Wildflower as the company builds on its partner’s established capabilities. Two Towers, a major wholesale prescription medical and over-the-counter wellness distribution company in Poland, is an extension of Omega Rex, a group of 14 pharmacies around the central capital region of Warsaw, with critical expertise in dealing with the regulatory process. Two Towers, with operational relationships throughout Europe as well as other parts of the world, distributes products from an extensive list of global leaders in pharmaceutical and consumer packaged goods.

Two Towers specializes in powdered food for children and other baby nutrition products, including medications, nutritional supplements and fast moving consumer goods (“FMCG”). The initial Two Towers agreement will allow Wildflower to begin marketing its CBD+ line of products in Poland, with a view of launching into the entire European Union as Wildflower Wellness cannabidiol products establish themselves on a solid footing.

“The European market is fragmented with no CBD market leaders,” Wildflower CEO William MacLean stated in a news release announcing the agreement (http://ibn.fm/RXZHB). “Our agreement with Two Towers vastly reduces barriers to moving our products between member states. This will position Wildflower as a market leader as the EU members begin opening their markets to CBD.”

Market analysts at the Brightfield Group recently reported a market forecast that envisions a boom in the European cannabidiol market during the next four years. The market is expected to grow by more than 400 percent from an estimated $318 million in sales last year as cannabidiol products begin to take hold there (http://ibn.fm/wqFy6).

“CBD is just starting to take hold in Europe, with both product availability and consumer awareness still quite limited,” Brightfield Managing Director Bethany Gomez stated in a release. “This is a great opportunity for developed brands to enter and expand through Europe with far less competition than we’re seeing in the U.S. With the Novel Foods Act, it is a challenging legal environment to operate in, but impending regulatory changes are likely to smooth the way for significant mid-term growth.”

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

• Proprietary S2P (supplier to pharmacy) web-based platform enables fair trade among health care buyers and sellers of pharmaceuticals, accessories and services
• DelivMeds app employs AI software to determine the best method to deliver same-day medicine to consumers throughout the U.S.
• The company is targeting 24,000 U.S. independent pharmacies, with combined pharmaceutical purchases of $93 billion per year

Trxade Group Inc. (OTCQB: TRXD), an integrated pharmaceutical services company, is extending the reach of DelivMeds, the company’s innovative mobile app that allows patients to receive same-day dispensed prescriptions and medication refills from a local, independent pharmacist with no delivery fees incurred. In an interview with Proactive Investors, Trxade Group CEO Suren Ajjarapu discussed the expansion of DelivMeds throughout the company’s growing network of independent pharmacies around the U.S. (http://ibn.fm/32VgX).

“We are currently indirectly delivering drugs to an audience of 12 million consumers through these 10,250 pharmacies,” Ajjarapu said in the interview. “Why not extend that through this app so that when the consumer leaves the doctor’s office, the consumer can focus on his own priorities rather than waiting in line at the big box chain pharmacy stores?”

DelivMeds is powered through Trxade’s Managed Services Organization (“TrxadeMSO”), which enables member pharmacies to process and deliver orders to patients. Trxade launched its MSO pharmacy network via a SyncHealth joint venture in February (http://ibn.fm/YDHR1). The company’s DelivMeds app employs artificial intelligence (AI) software to identify the best means to deliver same-day medicine to consumers. The easy-to-use, feature-packed DelivMeds app (http://ibn.fm/zMKEL) is available free for download on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

“When you are sick today, you need to take the drug today, not tomorrow,” Ajjarapu said, noting that all prescription orders are placed with local, independent pharmacies, which typically make personal service and patient care the number one priority.

The $330-billion U.S. pharmaceutical industry is comprised of more than 65,000 pharmacy facilities and 1,500 state-licensed suppliers, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce (http://ibn.fm/1xW9b). Roughly 24,000 of these facilities are independent pharmacies, which collectively spend approximately $93 billion per year on branded and generic drugs, Ajjarapu noted. Trxade is expanding its own B2B member network by 100 to 125 independents each month.

Trxade’s acquisition of independent Community Specialty Pharmacy LLC in 2018 was a major milestone and increased company revenues by nearly $400,000 in the fourth quarter, as Ajjarapu detailed in a news release highlighting key accomplishments for the year (http://ibn.fm/WuIlh).

“This acquisition is key to our strategy in expanding our capabilities in the consumer market of direct purchasing, mail order and physical delivery to consumers. We are seeking to improve the efficiency of selling and buying, as well as customer experience, by integrating e-commerce, brick and mortar retail, and logistics,” Ajjarapu stated in the release.

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Tampa, Florida, Trxade’s overarching corporate strategy is to penetrate the existing retail independent pharmacy marketplace and diversify the company’s pharmaceutical mix with additional specialty and acute care products.

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

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

• Petroteq Energy is leasing property at a bituminous asphalt resource in Utah’s eastern desert to develop its first-in-kind oil extraction technology for commercial use
• The company began delivering oil to its regional market in November after months of buildup and is in the process of increasing the amount of quality crude it produces to 1,000 bpd
• Petroteq recently reported consistent production of over 500 bpd
• The company has also shown its flexibility in responding to refineries’ demand for differing gravities of crude

Oil and gas industry technology developer Petroteq Energy Inc. (TSX.V: PQE) (OTCQX: PQEFF) announced significant milestones as it closed out the year’s first quarter, reporting continuous production at a rate of over 500 barrels per day (bpd) and the sale of two loads of barrels of heavier-than-usual crude at an API gravity of 17 from its eastern Utah facility.

The company’s March 28 announcement about the production rate (http://ibn.fm/YTaXB) noted that the continuous 500 bpd production benchmark demonstrates the commercial viability of its first-in-kind technology, which is patented in the United States and Canada to extract oil from tar sands in a closed-loop, environmentally friendly manner and will help the company generate confidence when it seeks licensing opportunities in coming years.

The technology uses a process of mixing oil sands with a solvent solution and then transporting the mixture to a mill. At the mill, the ore mixture is crushed to make the oil disperse better in the solvent. The batch then undergoes a separation process before the fluid is pumped out to where the mixture’s solids can be removed. The remaining fluid is then pumped out and distilled through a heat process that separates the solvent from the oil. The oil is then stored in tanks, while the evaporated solvent is reclaimed for use once again in the mixture bin.

Petroteq has produced 10,000 barrels from its Asphalt Ridge pilot facility using the technology and is storing unsold crude in tanks at the Utah site. The company began selling its oil to regional markets in November.

Utah contains about 55 percent of the total oil sands deposits in America. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that there are more than a trillion barrels of oil in the desert sand and shale formations in the state, as well as in neighboring Colorado and Wyoming (http://ibn.fm/vJ6NT). Petroteq believes that its lease contains 87 million barrels that it can extract over the next 20 to 30 years.

Analysts at Global Market Insights estimated the worldwide market for the asphalt bitumen that comprises the desert oil sands’ fuel resource to be $84.3 billion in 2017, with growth potential of over 3.7 percent through 2025 (http://ibn.fm/c2hs9). The vast majority of this resource (over 80 percent) is expected to be used in building and maintaining roads, with another significant amount used in waterproofing applications such as roofing materials, and the market is expected to record a CAGR of 4 percent between 2018 and 2025.

The Asphalt Ridge facility underwent recent expansion designed to allow it to produce up to 1,000 bpd, which Petroteq expects to achieve within eight weeks. CEO David Sealock said that the company expects to move the facility into Phase 2 of its production life cycle later this year, which would include building toward 4,000 bpd (http://ibn.fm/vA4Tf).

The announcement that the company had sold two loads of 250 barrels of API 17-degree oils noted a departure from the 35-degree barrels that it had sold previously and an ability to respond to demand for heavier oils from U.S. refineries.

“Through recent refinements at our Asphalt Ridge facility, we are now able to produce a heavier crude oil (API gravity 17) having a relatively low sulfur content and a low sediment factor (i.e. below .005% BS&W),” Sealock stated in a news release (http://ibn.fm/kkd1b). “This in my view showcases our technology’s flexibility to meet changes in market demand in a way that maximizes our bottom line. We are looking forward to a year of stable and growing production from our Asphalt Ridge facility.”

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Petroteq.energy

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

• In 2019, Hemptown USA expects to work on expanding its growing capacity to ensure the production of over one million pounds of biomass
• This is a part of the company’s expansion strategy, which aims to boost Hemptown’s hemp farming capacity to 2,500 acres by 2020
• Hemptown is also working on the development of its premium CBD and CBG oil products, as well as isolates

Hemptown USA, a proven grower of full-spectrum hemp biomass, anticipates a significant growing capacity expansion in 2019, as detailed by company founder and chairman Rod Wolterman in a CFN interview (http://ibn.fm/vErJU). According to Wolterman, Hemptown farmed 110 acres in 2018. The enterprise anticipates scaling up in 2019 to reach a capacity of 1,000 to 1,500 acres. This capacity is expected to enable Hemptown to produce in excess of one million pounds of biomass.

This announcement is in line with the Hemptown USA growth strategy. By 2020, the company expects to boost its hemp farming footprint to 2,500 acres located in several states. In addition, more emphasis will be placed on increasing the in-house CBD and CBG extraction capabilities. Through strategic partnerships, the company also anticipates expanding its distribution and growing operations globally.

Hemptown focuses its efforts on multiple cannabinoids, going beyond CBD. The company has a proprietary genetics program with strains that are high in various alternative cannabinoids like CBG and CBN. Currently, Hemptown holds an agreement for one million rare CBG seeds to be grown in 2019 and the coming years.

The premium seed genetics ensure concentrations of THC that remain below 0.3 percent and a high CBD yield of up to 20 percent. Due to strategic partnerships and access to rare seeds, Hemptown aims to establish itself as a leading CBG producer in 2019.

CBG is currently considered a minor cannabinoid, because it’s not present in large quantities in traditional plants. Cannabinoid manufacturers are carrying out genetic programs to modify strains and maximize yields. In terms of health benefits, CBG produces results that are comparable to those of CBD. It has a positive impact on the functioning of the endocannabinoid system – a mechanism that works to keep the body in a balanced state of homeostasis. Research suggests that CBG is an effective option for the treatment of glaucoma (http://ibn.fm/q9P4z) or inflammatory bowel disease (http://ibn.fm/3UrPx), is a powerful antibacterial agent (http://ibn.fm/E1abH) and may even have some cancer fighting properties (http://ibn.fm/jRCoq). Scientific work is ongoing to identify the full scope of CBG effects, as well as the health benefits resulting from a combination of CBG and other cannabinoids.

In 2019 and the years beyond, Hemptown anticipates being capable of producing custom, proprietary and full-spectrum CBD and CBG oils, as well as isolates.

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