• Spectrum Global Solutions sees trading on OTCQB as a necessary next step in its continued development
• Demand for increased network capabilities is increasing as global use of data continues to grow exponentially
• Spectrum Global is set to reach this increased demand primarily through its multiple subsidiaries with regional, national and global projects

Spectrum Global Solutions Inc. (OTCQB: SGSI), a leading single-source provider of end-to-end, next-generation wireless and wireline networks, recently announced that its stock has been uplisted and approved for trading on the OTCQB Venture Marketplace. The company provides professional service solutions to the service provider and corporate enterprise markets.

CEO Roger Ponder described the benefits of trading on the OTCQB. He referred to it as an “established public market,” allowing only well-established companies to trade. The criteria for approval includes several components. Companies’ financial reporting must be up-to-date (http://ibn.fm/grBUY), and they must also “undergo an annual verification and management certification process.” Ponder sees the listing as a necessary step in the continued growth of Spectrum Global. In a news release, he mentioned, “As we focus on building a business that delivers long term shareholder value, we believe this up-listing will enhance investor accessibility and serve as a stepping stone to meet the listing requirements for admission to the NASDAQ or NYSE in the future.”

As more and more of the world’s citizens rely on their smartphones, tablets, and devices every day, mobile data traffic has skyrocketed, creating a global demand for increased network capabilities. The telecom industry expects to grow exponentially in coming years to meet this demand for better coverage, enhanced capability, private networks and swift development of new apps.

The industry has evolved from 2G in 1991 to 3G in 1998 and 4G in 2008, increasing the demand for quality wireless and wireline network providers and enhancing the overall revenue stream of such entities. Spectrum Global pledges, “We engineer, upgrade, install, and maintain next-generation telecommunication networks.” This type of service will become especially relevant in the coming years, as 5G is expected to be rolled out in 2020. According to Accenture (http://ibn.fm/i31Ux), “The 5G rollout will create 3 million American jobs and drive over $500 billion U.S. GDP growth.”

Spectrum Global owns and operates multiple subsidiaries, which allow it to provide comprehensive services covering all aspects of fiber networks and infrastructure. These subsidiaries include AW Solutions, LLC; ADEX Corporation, LLC; TNS, Inc.; and Tropical Communications, Inc. Through these subsidiaries, Spectrum Global has grown a project portfolio that extends regionally, nationally and globally. Its new trading position on the OTCQB will be crucial in supporting the company’s continued development.

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

• LXRP subsidiary Lexaria Nicotine LLC enters definitive investment agreement with large tobacco company to receive R&D funding in exchange for licensing and equity
• Partner has provided initial $1 million – with an option for up to $11 million more – for research on DehydraTECH’s oral forms of nicotine delivery through a series of private financings
• LXRP still retains majority equity ownership of Lexaria Nicotine, while partner receives a minority equity interest in the subsidiary, not in LXRP itself

Lexaria Bioscience Corp.’s (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) DehydraTECH absorption platform will receive a significant injection of R&D financing under an investment agreement that wholly owned subsidiary Lexaria Nicotine LLC has entered into with a large tobacco partner. LXRP has initially received $1 million toward its research on nicotine consumer products that use DehydraTECH (http://ibn.fm/Kx7Cm).

Through the agreement, the partner also has the option to provide up to $11 million in additional research through multiple phased private financings to underwrite LXRP’s R&D. In exchange, the partner will receive certain license rights to commercialize these DehydraTECH products exclusively in the United States and non-exclusively elsewhere. The partner, the largest cigarette company in the U.S., will be obligated to pay LXRP a royalty on sales of all products that use DehydraTECH.

The partner will have the option to buy full ownership of LXRP’s subsidiary, but no equity in LXRP itself, per the terms of the agreement. Additionally, the partner will have the right to appoint one of the seven directors of LXRP, and, as the phased additional investments are made, it may have the right to appoint up to three directors.

Lexaria Nicotine plans to conduct a series of clinical investigations into oral forms of nicotine delivery using DehydraTECH technology. In a news release, John Docherty, LXRP president, said, “Lexaria Bioscience has repeatedly demonstrated the powerful effects of its patented DehydraTECH technology for enhancing the palatability and speed of onset of orally consumed bioactive substances such as nicotine.”

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

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

• ETST partners with Iq2 to develop food supplement designed to improve brain function
• Clinched deal with Forzagen to distribute cannabinoid product line in Mexico and South America
• Developing CBD beverage to tap $12 billion market

Earth Science Tech Inc. (OTCQB: ETST) has done it again. In partnership with Iq2 Labs, the Florida-based biotechnology company is formulating a super food supplement designed to enhance brain function through an initiative that continues the ongoing drive to strengthen its position in the hemp-derived cannabinoid, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and medical device markets (http://ibn.fm/802tg). The product, containing high-grade full-spectrum cannabinoids, is currently going through the package design process, after which it will be bottled, launched and plugged into ETST’s growing sales channels. The announcement by ETST comes on the heels of another: ETST has clinched a deal with premium dietary supplement provider Forzagen to distribute ETST’s line of cannabinoids throughout Mexico and South America (http://ibn.fm/HZAKY).

The partnership with Iq2 Labs and the introduction of the brain-boosting supplement – CBD Mental Clarity and Focus Shot – give ETST a foothold in the emerging CBD beverage market, according to Nickolas S. Tabraue, chairman of ETST. The high-grade full-spectrum cannabinoids produced in conjunction with Iq2 are expected to be an accretive addition to ETST’s line of products aiming to augment mental capacity and function. The company’s researchers continue their efforts to develop a CBD beverage utilizing the University of Central Oklahoma’s provisional patent to improve immune system functions (http://ibn.fm/KiZ40). An aspect of ETST’s marketing strategy focuses on increasing the ways it can deliver its CBD products to the marketplace. The collaboration with the University of Central Oklahoma, under the direction of Dr. Michel Aube, chief science officer of ETST, forms part of this plan.

Under a sponsored research agreement with the University of Central Oklahoma, tests were carried out to determine the effects of ETST’s CBD Cannabidiol Rich Hemp Oil on immune cells. The results were encouraging (http://ibn.fm/MwRi8). Research showed that ETST’s hemp oil solution, used in appropriate CBD concentrations, could, through the production of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFα), stimulate macrophages, an important immune cell. The cytokine TNFα is a key cell signaler in the recruitment of immune cells. A robust immune system plays an important part in maintaining good health and may help fight cancer. There is now hope that the effects of hemp oil enriched with CBD on immune cells may be used to improve cancer treatment, particularly in combination with other treatment modalities. The proposed beverage will allow ETST to tap into the $11.7 billion (2018 estimate) CBD beverage market, which is projected to hit $25 billion by 2025.

With the establishment of these partnerships in 2019, ETST sustains the relentless path of growth put into place in 2018, when it doubled sales. ETST also uplisted to the OTCQB Venture Market and introduced a new product, Hygee, a non-invasive discreet chlamydia testing kit. The company continues to disrupt the hemp-derived cannabinoid, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and medical device markets. Its activities range from R&D to production to marketing and distribution. ETST plans to keep building the networks and infrastructure to launch new subsidiaries and new products, like its super supplement to boost brainpower.

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

• Net Element specializes in e-commerce technological solutions for an increasingly digital era
• Company’s Netevia platform rolls out new capability for Internet of Things marketplace with In-App Payments Software Development Kit
• Forecasts predict that IoT industry will produce more than 50 billion devices by 2020, with revenues of $520 billion by 2021

Online payment technology innovator Net Element Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) has made its business the art of enabling commerce amid the digital finance revolution, and the company announced the further development of its Netevia B2B e-commerce services in a January 22 news release that highlights the launch of Netevia’s In-App Payments Software Development Kit (SDK) for hardware manufacturers and application developers building Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity (http://ibn.fm/dZnLS).

The Net Element platform’s SDK for IoT provides an avenue for developers to build a simple, professional payments flow protocol for IoT-networked devices that is fully compliant with payment card industry data standards. The SDK promotes a single integration point for the varied channels that have become such a feature of e-commerce in the mobile technology era, allowing businesses to pursue best practices efficiency in their transactions with consumer-facing tech.

Cryptocurrencies have become vital as a means of transcending the regulatory hurdles of cross-border commerce on a global scale, and the SDK for IoT includes payment acceptance for the blockchain-powered ecosystem.

“The Netevia Platform simplifies payments across multiple channels through a single point of integration,” Chief Technology Officer Andrey Krotov stated via the news release. “According to Visa, Inc., by 2020 there will be more than 50 billion devices connected to the Internet, providing a huge opportunity for these devices to include payments experience through Netevia SDK.”

The company also cites research by Bain & Company predicting that the global IoT market will more than double its 2017 revenues to $520 billion by 2021 – only a couple of years away, granting Net Element a sizable pie from which to grab a piece.

Net Element specializes in software that provides payment solutions as a service for business enterprises ranging from small to medium in size. The company’s Aptito tech solution supports point of sale transactions for restaurants and retailers, while VIP Payments supports the hotel and tourism industry and Unified Mobile Payments supports businesses on the go, such as kiosk and truck vendors.

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

• The Supreme Cannabis Company’s business model allows it to control every stage of the process, from cultivation to distribution
• Its subsidiary, 7ACRES, operates a 440,000 square foot facility in Ontario, Canada – the largest facility of its kind to commercially cultivate cannabis
• The company recorded 71 percent revenue growth from Q3 to Q4 in its fiscal year ended June 30, 2018

The Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (TSX.V: FIRE) (OTC: SPRWF) (FRA: 53S1), a key player in the medical and commercial cannabis industries, intends to become the largest commercial cannabis retailer worldwide through its focus on innovation and emphasis on product quality.

The Supreme Cannabis Company is seasoned in the cultivation of medical cannabis, though it grew out of humble origins after Peter Herburger began cultivating medical cannabis when his daughter, Sarah, became afflicted with chronic pain. Its subsidiary, 7ACRES, was federally licensed for production on March 11, 2016. After Canada legalized the production and sale of commercial cannabis, the company saw its opportunity to broaden its industry reach. It is currently the only licensed producer focused on cultivating craft quality cannabis on a commercial scale, and it has emerged as the industry leader in mass cultivation as a result of its high quality product.

With a passion for quality, the company seeks to excel at every stage of the cannabis industry. 7ACRES operates a 440,000 square foot facility in Ontario, Canada. It is currently the largest facility of its kind to cultivate cannabis with advanced HVAC and CO2 enrichment using the full-spectrum sun. Direct sunlight produces indoor-quality buds with sun-grown characteristics. This is in direct contrast to most “hybrid” growers, who typically used limited-spectrum lamps, and it is indicative of the company’s zest for quality in all stages of the business model, from production to distribution. The Supreme Cannabis Company continues to invest in research and innovation in order to maintain its peak position in the burgeoning cannabis industry.

The company is Canada’s only coast-to-coast premium cannabis producer, and it saw exponential revenue growth in 2018. After uplisting its shares to the OTCQX market in the U.S., the company reported record revenues of C$3.55 million, marking a 71 percent increase from Q3 to Q4. After reporting its revenues for its fiscal year ended June 30, The Supreme Cannabis Company earned its spot amongst the publicly traded Canadian cannabis companies with the highest revenue in their first four quarters of sales.

While varying degrees of cannabis legislation have trickled through the U.S. over the past year, the industry continues to grow worldwide. One recent development in California might mean even more growth for the industry (http://ibn.fm/DCSae). The state has “endorsed a rule allowing home marijuana deliveries statewide, even into communities that have banned commercial pot sales.” This development, along with others that are likely to follow, will continue to foster growth in the cannabis industry and create future footholds for businesses like The Supreme Cannabis Company to strengthen their staying power.

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

• 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