• Marifil Mines’ primary exploration goals involve high-demand gold, lithium and cobalt targets
• Argentina is the third-largest gold producer in South America and anticipates most of its geological potential has yet to be tapped
• Canada-based Marifil has numerous project sites throughout Argentina in search for gold, lithium, cobalt, nickel, platinum, silver, phosphate and potassium

Argentina’s nascent mining industry is proving to be a land of opportunity for Canadian explorer Marifil Mines Ltd. (TSX.V: MFM) (OTCQB: MFMLF), which has projects established throughout the country and most recently has been evaluating the gold and silver prospects of its property in the country’s southeastern province of Rio Negro.

Discovery of viable gold, lithium and cobalt deposits comprise the primary aim of the company, although it is involved in exploring for other metals as well. Argentina is the third-largest producer of gold in South America, thanks to the mineral-rich Andes mountain range and the vast plains of Patagonia. Overall, the country anticipates that more than 70 percent of its geological potential has yet to be developed (http://ibn.fm/qblHd). Despite its relative newness, it is competing with countries in which mining output has traditionally factored into the national economy.

During the three years since the mining-averse government that dominated national politics was succeeded by a business-friendly administration (http://ibn.fm/41Jtw), the country has faced growing pains associated with jump-starting the industry, according to Reuters. Still, investments in mining exploration rose to $300 million last year, up from $148 million in 2016, Reuters reported, citing official data. A significant increase in lithium production has led Mining Secretary Mariano Lamothe to predict that Argentina could be producing 290,000 metric tons of lithium per year by 2023 (http://ibn.fm/M8V7P), increasing its profile from some 16 percent of the world’s market’s consumption to as much as 45 percent (http://ibn.fm/8MLhh).

Marifil states that it has found more than 100 million metric tons of earth mineralized with disseminated zinc and lead sulfides containing gold, silver and indium at its Rio Negro site of San Roque, although completion of an official NI 43-101 resource report on the 42,321-hectare (104,577-acre) location is still pending.

In addition to the San Roque project, Marifil has more than 15,267 hectares (37,726 acres) of lithium-potential property in northern Argentina’s Puna grasslands, located within the ‘Lithium Triangle’, where that metal has been found in abundance. Additionally, its Las Aguilas property far to the south of the Puna in San Luis province comprises 359 hectares (887 acres) covering sulfide deposits featuring nickel, cobalt, copper and platinum — the biggest deposits for that combination of metals in the country. Further south yet, the company’s 37,384-hectare (92,378-acre) concession in Neuquen province contains extensive potash (a chloride salt of potassium) beds adjacent to where Vale (the world’s largest mining company) is extracting potassium by in-situ leaching from continuations of those same beds. Its properties in Mendoza province are adjacent to those in Neuquen, showing the same potash beds and also potential for discovery of bedded deposits of sulfur. In Chubut province, south of Rio Negro, the company has an exploration prospect for gas and petroleum (http://ibn.fm/5SYSD) where 12 holes done in the 1930s and 1940s yielded encouraging amounts of hydrocarbons.

The company is in the middle of a private placement financing effort, offering up to 10 million units for proceeds of up to $1 million. Marifil expects to close the financing effort by October 26.

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

• Global legal cannabis market projected to surpass $146 billion by end of 2025
• Cannabinoid-infused edibles, concentrates represent fastest-growing segment of industry
• Lexaria’s patented technology improves bio-absorption and bioavailability of active ingredients while masking unpleasant taste
• Lucrative licensing business model includes agreements to enhance cannabinoid (CBD) delivery before year-end 2018

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) and its proprietary technology found in the company’s drug delivery platform DehydraTECH has application for several subsets of the cannabis industry and other pharmacological verticals. As a technology proven to deliver increased intestinal absorption rates and higher bioavailability for a number of bioactive compounds, the DehydraTECH drug delivery platform could be a game changer for several industries, including the recreational and medical cannabis markets, according to a recent article (http://ibn.fm/bG3m4). While cannabis flower has been the early focus, cannabinoid-infused edibles and concentrates represent the fastest-growing segments of the $100+ billion industry, the article points out.

“We are focused on making ingestible or edible bioactive substances taste better, smell better, act faster and enhance potency,” Lexaria President John Docherty, a trained pharmacologist and toxicologist who is also the former president and chief operations officer of Helix BioPharma Corp., stated in a news release.

Lexaria’s DehydraTECH employs a patented, cost-effective delivery mechanism leveraging lipophilic agents that improves the bio-absorption and bioavailability of ingestible substances, as well as their taste and smell. That’s no small task when it comes to some of the pungent terpenes essential to the cannabis plant, as many cannabis consumers know well. Terpenes are aromatic components of the cannabis plant’s essential oils, and they also play an important therapeutic role, according to an article on GreenState.com (http://ibn.fm/3fVO1).

Lexaria’s disruptive DehydraTECH drug delivery platform is protected by a robust suite of patents granted or pending worldwide. It has been proven effective in multiple international studies in greatly assisting rapidity and quantity of absorption of a range of lipophilic (i.e., fat-soluble), bioactive molecules – such as those contained in cannabinoids (CBD), nicotine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other molecules. DehydraTECH offers a healthier, oral ingestion alternative to other delivery methods, such as smoking, which has known negative consequences, to quickly and effectively deliver the bioactive substances that cannabis and nicotine consumers are seeking, as Lexaria points out in detail on its website.

Another key to Lexaria’s success is the fact that its technology can be licensed to improve existing drug delivery through orally-ingested products or to create new ones. The DehydraTECH drug delivery platform has limitless commercial applications for formulating and delivering lipophilic drug payloads. The company’s strategic intellectual property (IP) portfolio is growing, with three more patents in Australia and two Notices of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and several more expected prior to year-end 2018 (http://ibn.fm/RIdSf).

Lexaria’s IP portfolio already includes a patent for oral delivery of all cannabinoids, and it has licensed its products to numerous cannabis companies, including a maker of cannabis-infused chocolates in Colorado, a Canada-based developer of cannabis wines and beers and a new Canadian company focused on cannabis-infused edibles. With projections of a global legal cannabis market coming in at more than $146 billion by 2025 (http://ibn.fm/a1ni6), Lexaria Bioscience is poised to deliver a welcome technology to this booming, quickly expanding space.

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

• Company signs a worldwide licensing agreement with Pherin Pharmaceuticals for the development and commercialization of a Phase 3-ready CNS drug candidate for as-needed treatment of social anxiety disorder
• Untreated social anxiety disorder has a significant impact on a person’s overall quality of life
• Clinical studies support the potential of PH94B to be a superior treatment alternative for SAD due to the demonstrated rapid onset of efficacy, route of administration, as-needed dosing convenience and excellent safety profile

VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VTGN) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing new generation medicines for depression and other central nervous system (CNS) diseases and disorders with high unmet need. The company recently announced (http://ibn.fm/d4viI) that it has signed a license with Pherin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for neuropsychiatric and neuroendocrine conditions, for exclusive worldwide rights of a Phase 3-ready CNS drug candidate for as-needed treatment of social anxiety disorder.

An estimated 15 million American adults are affected by social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia or SAD. It is the third most common psychiatric condition, following depression and substance use, and generally precedes other disorders. A person suffering from SAD may have unrealistic fears of one or more social or performance situations that may have a significant impact on the person’s employment, social activities and overall quality of life.

Antidepressants are a common treatment for SAD but have a slow onset that may take several weeks to work, have numerous side effects and must be taken consistently over a long period of time. At this time, there is no FDA-approved treatment that provides rapid relief.

VistaGen has acquired exclusive worldwide rights from Pherin to develop and commercialize PH94B nasal spray, a Phase 3-ready drug candidate for as-needed treatment of social anxiety disorder, to address this problem. In a news release, Shawn Singh, CEO of VTGN, stated, “We are excited to be working with Pherin’s innovative team to develop and commercialize this medically and socially impactful treatment. Our key objective for the PH94B program is to commence our initial pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of PH94B nasal spray for SAD during the first half of 2019.”

The PH94B nasal spray utilizes Pherin’s first-in-class proprietary compounds called pherines. These synthetic neuroactive steroids engage chemosensory receptors inhibiting nerve circuits, mediating behavioral and physiological effects of anxiety. By engaging receptors in the nasal passage, pherines are rapidly effective in low quantities. The onset of results provides an excellent safety profile with greater patient convenience. Previous clinical trials of PH94B provided evidence of rapid (10-15 minutes) anxiety reduction of subjects with SAD and no adverse events with the nasal spray administration.

“This agreement provides a meaningful opportunity to continue our clinical progress and advance our mission to bring novel treatment alternatives to the many individuals affected with SAD,” added Dr. Louis Monti, executive vice president of Pherin, “Our prior clinical studies support the potential of PH94B to be a superior treatment alternative for SAD due to the demonstrated rapid onset of efficacy, route of administration, as-needed dosing convenience, and excellent safety profile compared to other existing therapeutic options which require chronic dosing and have concurrent side effects.”

VistaGen has also acquired an option from Pherin to license an additional CNS neuropsychiatry-focused product now in Phase 2 development.

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

• CIIX’s wholly owned foreign enterprise, CBD Biotechnology Co. Ltd. (CBD Biotech), will debut new private label wine at peak period for liquor sales in China
• Company recorded sales of $2.35 million for FY2018, up 41 percent from $1.66 million the prior year
• Summer Yun, CEO of CBD Biotech, anticipates greater volume during the top sales season for liquor

ChineseInvestors.com, Inc.’s (OTCQB: CIIX) CBD Biotech, a wholly owned foreign enterprise, plans to debut a CBD hemp-infused rice wine in December, during China’s peak holiday/festival season that includes Christmas, New Year’s, and Spring Festival (http://ibn.fm/xUF36).

In a news release, Warren Wang, CEO of CIIX, said, “Moving forward, CBD Biotech plans to explore a variety of hemp products, in addition to its skin-care and alcoholic beverage products. We believe the upcoming launch of CBD Hemp Wine will serve as a strong sales driver for the Company.”

The announcement comes after CIIX reported a sharp jump in its sales for FY 2018. Prior, CIIX also detailed plans to spin off its CBD division in the future. The division includes CBD Biotech, Hemp Logic, Inc. and ChineseHempOil.com, Inc. (http://ibn.fm/f0H6K).

CIIX has an international Chinese-speaking audience. It has core revenue from subscriptions and consulting. Its website notes that the company expects to issue its own ICO in the second half of 2018 or in 2019 and create a virtual investment ‘ecosystem’ for its Chinese viewers (http://ibn.fm/jC45u). Internationally, its future network of ATMs may expand into Canada from the U.S., and its bitcoin courses may be offered online to Asia.

An update note issued by SeeThruEquity last month explained that CIIX was seeking some $3 million in a private placement in August. Its analysis expects that CIIX will continue to seek external capital to cover operating costs (http://ibn.fm/zrMQ3).

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

• CIIX’s wholly owned foreign enterprise, CBD Biotechnology Co. Ltd. (CBD Biotech), will debut new private label wine at peak period for liquor sales in China
• Company recorded sales of $2.35 million for FY2018, up 41 percent from $1.66 million the prior year
• Summer Yun, CEO of CBD Biotech, anticipates greater volume during the top sales season for liquor

ChineseInvestors.com, Inc.’s (OTCQB: CIIX) CBD Biotech, a wholly owned foreign enterprise, plans to debut a CBD hemp-infused rice wine in December, during China’s peak holiday/festival season that includes Christmas, New Year’s, and Spring Festival (http://ibn.fm/xUF36).

In a news release, Warren Wang, CEO of CIIX, said, “Moving forward, CBD Biotech plans to explore a variety of hemp products, in addition to its skin-care and alcoholic beverage products. We believe the upcoming launch of CBD Hemp Wine will serve as a strong sales driver for the Company.”

The announcement comes after CIIX reported a sharp jump in its sales for FY 2018. Prior, CIIX also detailed plans to spin off its CBD division in the future. The division includes CBD Biotech, Hemp Logic, Inc. and ChineseHempOil.com, Inc. (http://ibn.fm/f0H6K).

CIIX has an international Chinese-speaking audience. It has core revenue from subscriptions and consulting. Its website notes that the company expects to issue its own ICO in the second half of 2018 or in 2019 and create a virtual investment ‘ecosystem’ for its Chinese viewers (http://ibn.fm/jC45u). Internationally, its future network of ATMs may expand into Canada from the U.S., and its bitcoin courses may be offered online to Asia.

An update note issued by SeeThruEquity last month explained that CIIX was seeking some $3 million in a private placement in August. Its analysis expects that CIIX will continue to seek external capital to cover operating costs (http://ibn.fm/zrMQ3).

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

• A partnership with Sputnik Bank in Russia will enable the provision of third party bank processing services to local banks
• Regulatory approval and completion of the agreement are expected in the final quarter of 2018
• Net Element is the only Nasdaq-listed U.S. company that stands to benefit from the Russian electronic payment expansion

Global technology and value-added solutions group Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) recently announced a partnership with Sputnik Bank in Russia that’s aimed at offering third party bank processing to other banks in the country. As the October 2 announcement states, Net Element will get 25 percent of Sputnik’s outstanding stock, and a per-transaction fee has also been discussed, Zacks reported in a note published the day after the announcement (http://ibn.fm/3UHj0).

The partnership will be executed via Net Element’s PayOnline subsidiary. The agreement has to pass regulatory approval in Russia before it gets finalized. Such an approval is expected during the final quarter of 2018.

Founded in 1990, Sputnik is a commercial bank that holds $35 million in assets. It offers a full range of banking services to both private and corporate customers. Through its partnership with Net Element, Sputnik will become the first entity to start offering third party bank processing in Russia.

The partnership and the subsequent service will fill a rather significant market gap. Currently, Russian banks use in-house processing systems. These systems are expensive, and many of them have become outdated.

Net Element and Sputnik are expected to start selling a processing service to small banks, Russian third-party vendors, credit organizations, value-added resellers and sales organizations. The cost of processing will be brought down, and the service will also give smaller Russian banks a chance to utilize much more current software than the products on which they’re currently relying for in-house processing.

Sputnik will provide the capacity for the data center needed for the execution of the program. Financial instruments for settlement of transactions will also be provided. The partnership will enable PayOnline to process transactions as a payment facilitator. This way, PayOnline’s offering will be expanded beyond the current electronic commerce.

The total transaction value of digital payments in Russia is expected to reach $39.5 billion by the end of 2018 – a massive increase from $27.9 billion in 2016. The CAGR in the period from 2018 to 2022 is expected to be 11.9 percent, which means that the value of digital payments could amount to $61.8 billion in 2022 (http://ibn.fm/oAIPS).

Net Element CTO Andrey Krotov said in a news release that the innovative turnkey solution will enable frictionless onboarding for merchants with integrated, value-added services.

Net Element is a payments-as-service transactional and value-added services company that provides solutions to small and medium-sized businesses. The company operates both in the U.S. and in selected emerging markets. Its primary goal is to innovate SPE productivity services using blockchain technology solutions for the purpose of growing transactional revenue.

Deloitte’s 2017 Technology Fast 500 ranks Net Element as one of the fastest growing companies in North America. It is the only U.S. company listed with Nasdaq that stands to benefit from the Russian electronic payment expansion.

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

• The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) ruling enables physicians to prescribe Epidiolex, a non-synthetic cannabis-derived medicine from United Kingdom-grown cannabis
• Cannabis entrepreneurs applaud the decision, even though it only applies to that specific drug; DEA decision requires approval of medications by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
• Several other CBD medications are in the pipeline for consideration by the FDA; move is seen as legitimizing the industry and changing it to traditional distribution of prescription-to-drug store

The DEA decision to approve the first non-synthetic CBD-derived drug, Epidiolex, and remove it from the agency’s most restrictive class of controlled substances is seen as having a positive impact on the cannabis industry and altering its channel of distribution, according to an article in the Hemp Industry Daily (http://ibn.fm/Nac4g). It is the first time that the agency has removed any type of cannabis from Schedule I.

The DEA has reclassified ‘finished dosage formulations’ of CBD and FDA-approved drugs that contain cannabis-derived CBD and less than 0.1 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as Schedule V. The decision comes after the FDA’s initial approval of the non-synthetic CBD-based drug to treat rare cases of epilepsy, the article notes.

Epidiolex has been rescheduled from Schedule I to Schedule V of the Controlled Substances Act. It was the first plant-based cannabis drug to be approved by the FDA. The most significant part of the decision is that the drug can be distributed through traditional pharmaceutical channels to patients based on a prescription from a doctor. It also means that the odds of successful commercialization of cannabis-based therapeutics have been greatly increased, both in the U.S. and globally, per the article.

ETST (OTCQB: ETST), a marketer of high purity and high grade full spectrum cannabidiol (CBD), believes that once the DEA’s decision goes into effect, it will be easier for companies to plan clinical studies with CBD. It also emboldens ETST’s strategy of becoming a licensed distributor that plans to work closely with researchers and pharmacists to serve the growing cannabis market (http://ibn.fm/d5WKH).

James Minutello, CEO of Leaf Logix, a Glendale, California, company that manufactures business management software for the cannabis market, stated in the article, “We’re one step closer to finally ending prohibition and legitimizing the industry.”

• The three online platforms provide a strategic step forward in advancing the company’s business model by creating tools to introduce the existing portfolio brands into vertical markets
• Again the company is setting itself apart by further demonstrating a unique business approach toward advancing operations and creating value in the sector
• The acquisition portfolio has the potential to generate substantial revenues on its own

Full-scope premium cannabis company Green Hygienics Holdings Inc. (OTC: GRYN) recently announced that it has acquired the Canna Brands Portfolio. This acquisition centers on three core products: Cannagram, Myijuana and The CoursePro Academy. The full press release can be found here: http://ibn.fm/38CSj.

According to Matthew Dole, SVP of business development for GRYN, this acquisition is a step forward in advancing GRYN’s business model. The Canna Brands products will work as a platform to introduce GRYN’s already existing portfolio into vertical markets. Together, these products hold the potential to generate substantial revenues.

The first product, Cannagram, is an online and mobile application flagship platform that will be rebranded as Cannagram Services. The full service package is the first of its kind in the market and will include:

• Social Engagement and Content Distribution
• File Sharing
• Encrypted File Sharing
• Bill Payment Processing
• Multi-Purpose Reloadable Debit and Credit Card Program
• International and Domestic Instant Funds Transfers
• Directory of Local Providers
• Marijuana Delivery Services
• Community Resources and Education
• Medical and Recreational Cannabis Offerings Purchases
• Blockchain Financial Services in 2019
• Cryptocurrency Offering in 2019

This product will help to further establish GRYN as a trusted partner by providing advanced communications and financial services to meet the needs of a rapidly changing industry. At the same time, Cannagram will extend brand awareness and cross-portfolio resources. “The Cannagram technology…” Dole stated in the news release, “will provide mission-critical solutions for transactional resources, tools and communications for cannabis industry providers and the recreational consumer audience, as well as providing solutions for patient care and treatment at the highest standards.”

The second product, Myijuana, is an established e-commerce system that GRYN can utilize for product sales and consumer use. An additional benefit to consumers is the Myijuana Dispensary Directory, a mobile-optimized online directory providing premium listings, self-service, geolocations, reviews and advertising.

The final product is the CoursePro Academy. This platform will provide GRYN the opportunity to create an educational destination for the cannabis industry. The Academy offers the company the potential to become a trusted leader in cannabis news, as well as further introducing GRYN’s tech and brands to a clearly defined target market.

GRYN has more than 25 years of experience in agricultural science and innovation and is establishing itself as a global leader in the advancement of science-driven cannabis cultivation systems. The company is advancing as a trusted global consumer brand by:

• Employing scientific methodology to the cultivation of cannabis
• Developing unique global brands
• Selling premium grade cannabis products to the high-end medical and adult-use recreational markets
• Developing and licensing valuable intellectual property assets
• Making strategic acquisitions

GRYN continues to pursue unique solutions that are poised for scalability, build customer loyalty and support growth across the company’s portfolio. The addition of the Canna Brands IP assets portfolio is one strategic step forward in advancing the company’s business model.

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

• SeeThruEquity recommends a share price of $0.30
• Bill would make hemp an ordinary agricultural product and no longer a controlled substance
• Hemp-derived cannabidiol market worth $591 million, expected to hit $22 billion in under five years

With the U.S. Congress on the verge of making hemp an ordinary agricultural crop instead of a controlled substance, hydroponics supply company Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) has made comments on its recent venture into the hemp market (http://ibn.fm/5Xt4m).

Sugarmade last month announced that it was investing $1 million in Hempistry, Inc., a company producing ultra-high cannabidiol hemp. Hempistry in July started work on cultivating hemp on 23,000 acres of farmland in the U.S. state of Kentucky.

In a news release, Sugarmade CEO Jimmy Chan commented, “We are especially excited about the particular strain of hemp that was planted, which is expected to yield up to 14 percent CBD. Such a strain of product is in significant demand and it is expected that the entire crop will be sold prior to harvest. Our timing on our investment could not have been better considering the pending Farm and Hemp Bills and demand situation, which seems to get tighter almost every day.”

In addition to its investment, Sugarmade is negotiating a deal to supply Hempistry with cultivation supplies.

The hemp-derived cannabidiol market, worth $591 million this year, is expected to reach $22 billion by 2022, according to analysis by Brightfield Group (http://ibn.fm/T6MkI). The bill becoming law will, among other things, make it easier for companies to transport hemp across state lines and have access to insurance.

Another key benefit is the likely growth in the market for CBD, a cannabis component that has pharmaceutical applications and does not cause intoxication.

Chan added, “We expect the passage of the Farm Bill to further open the markets for industrial hemp and the cannabis components derived from hemp. It is an exciting time in the hemp industry. We are very pleased to have already made a significant investment into hemp cultivation that we believe will create strong additional value holders for Sugarmade common shares.”

Sugarmade’s expansion into the hemp market comes as Independent research firm SeeThruEquity announced that it is to begin coverage of the company (http://ibn.fm/oNH2F).  SeeThruEquity, in its first report, said, “Sugarmade appears well-positioned to target the large and growing opportunity to supply hydroponics equipment and supplies to the cannabis cultivation market in the United States through its master marketing agreement with BizRight.” It recommends a target share price of $0.30 for Sugarmade.

Discussing the coverage, Chan said, “Having Sugarmade highlighted by SeeThruEquity is important to this management team. Over the past two years, Sugarmade has almost completely restructured. We have entered one of the fast-growing sectors of the American economy, reduced debt levels, added a significant number of personnel, moved our headquarters, and most importantly, positioned our Company for substantial growth. Based on our growth rates, we now believe our $30 million revenue guidance for next year is very conservative. We welcome SeeThruEquity’s research coverage and look forward to supplying its analyst a steady stream of news on high quality developments regarding our progress.”

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

• Technology partnership signed with Integral Genomics Inc. (dba Lighthouse Genomics Inc.) to support BLOCKStrain’s registry of genetic profiles of cannabis strains
• Valuable intellectual property rights of cannabis cultivators under attack from unscrupulous illegal growers, gray market
• Recent reschedule of first FDA-approved drug derived from cannabis paves the way for sales, underscores necessity of BLOCKStrain’s “Single Source of Trust” registry
• Legislation efforts growing in U.S. as Canada readies recreational cannabis sales throughout nation
• Global legal cannabis market projected to reach $146.4 billion by end of 2025

In a move crafted to support advancements in science and technology within the legal cannabis industry, BLOCKStrain Technology Corp. (TSX.V: DNAX) (OTC: BKKSF) has entered into a technology partnership with Integral Genomics Inc.’s operating entity Lighthouse Genomics. In a news release, BLOCKStrain heralded the agreement with Lighthouse, noting that the principal scientists of the company, Dr. Gina Conte and Tim Harvey, are award-winning experts in evolutionary genetics, cannabis breeding and strain propagation with decades of experience in the Canadian cannabis market (http://ibn.fm/ZaATI).

The partnership will support BLOCKStrain’s initiative to provide quality assurance data to consumers and governmental regulators at a time when registering and tracking the cannabis supply chain is at a critical juncture. A Forbes article emphasizes the stunning growth of the cannabis industry as more U.S. states legalize various uses of the plant and Canada readies for the launch of recreational adult-use cannabis on October 17, 2018 (http://ibn.fm/phoeF).

“BLOCKStrain has developed enterprise technology that allows us to collect, store and manage this critical data in an immutable, blockchain-protected database,” BLOCKStrain Chief Executive Officer Robert Galarza said in the news release. “However, since we rely on third party labs to provide us with that data it is imperative for us to support scientific advancements in genetic testing and analysis. The Agreement we have reached with Lighthouse Genomics allows us to support advancements in science and technology, which can then be offered to our clients.”

Lighthouse operates an advanced testing laboratory for DNA and quality assurance testing of cannabis products.

“We have been working with the incredibly talented team at Integral Genomics for months now, and we believe the testing regimens they’ve developed will become a critical aspect of our product offering to Licensed Producers, regulatory bodies and even to consumers,” Galarza continued. “Product integrity is paramount to the success of the cannabis industry and together BLOCKStrain and Lighthouse will bring transparency, trust and a deeper scientific understanding about what cannabis strains can do for patients and customers. We are excited about combining our world class teams in science and technology.”

The cannabis industry is well served by an ancient saying attributed to Greek philosopher Heraclitus: “Change is the only constant in life.” A recent case in point is the June approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of a product derived from cannabidiol, or CBD, to treat patients with rare forms of epilepsy that emerge during childhood. The Drug Enforcement Division followed by rescheduling the drug, paving the way for its use and sale, although the agency stopped short of reclassifying all CBD products, a CNBC article reports (http://ibn.fm/jPxwf).

In an industry where a popular strain of cannabis can be worth millions and a CBD-derived drug is nearing its legally sanctioned debut, protecting ownership of genetic strains, potency and other intellectual properties is crucial. BLOCKStrain has developed the first integrated blockchain platform that provides a “single source of trust” for the cannabis industry. The BLOCKStrain platform is proprietary, immutable and cryptographically secure, allowing growers and breeders to identify and secure rights to their irreplaceable intellectual property.

“Lighthouse and BLOCKStrain share a common vision of the positive evolution we’re aiming to support as the industry proceeds into the legal era,” said Harvey. “As a company, Lighthouse exists to shine a light on a plant’s genetic code, and also to cast a light on positive players in the industry, companies that proudly stand behind their product and practices.”

Grand View Research, Inc. projects the global legal marijuana market to reach $146.4 billion by the end of 2025 (http://ibn.fm/0X93X). Growing research has led to the introduction of new cannabis strains, which is expected to increase product development and revenues, the report states. BLOCKStrain delivers needed transparency to growers, retailers, regulators and consumers as each seeks assurance that the genetics, potency and equivalencies between cannabis strains and products meet established quality controls.

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

• Iron Creek estimates call for 45 million pounds (20,411 tonnes) of cobalt
• Drilling underway for expanded resource estimate that’s expected in 2019
• Board strengthened with appointment of CEO of electric vehicle innovator

Cobalt resource estimates in North America just got a boost, after First Cobalt Corp. (TSX.V: FCC) (OTCQX: FTSSF) (ASX: FCC) released the results of its first NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate for its 100 percent-owned Iron Creek Cobalt Project in Idaho. The junior explorer announced Inferred Mineral Resources of 29.6 million tons (26.9 million tonnes) grading 0.11 percent cobalt equivalent, under a base case scenario, and an alternative underground-only scenario indicating 4.9 million tons (4.4 million tonnes) grading 0.30 percent cobalt equivalent (http://ibn.fm/qqjG9). As concerns about cobalt supply from Africa mount (about 60 percent of global output originates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo), this should cheer electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers. The metal is an essential component of lithium-ion batteries, which provide the motive force for such vehicles.

An “Inferred Mineral Resource” is a concentration of some mineral that appears to have a reasonable prospect for economic extraction and for which the quantity and grade has been estimated on the basis of drilling samples. The geological evidence obtained by First Cobalt points to a resource that contains 45 million pounds (20,411 tonnes) of cobalt and 175 million pounds (79,379 tonnes) of copper for 62.9 million pounds (28,528 tonnes) of cobalt equivalent. This is much more than the company had previously hoped, but it should come as no surprise. The Iron Creek Project had already recorded a historic mineral resource estimate of 1.3 million tons grading 0.59 percent cobalt, albeit one that was non-compliant with NI 43-101, unlike the present results. The company has initiated drilling for an expanded resource estimate that’s expected in early 2019.

First Cobalt Corp., with headquarters in Canada, is a vertically integrated North American pure-play cobalt company. The company has three significant North American assets: the Iron Creek Project in Idaho; the Canadian Cobalt Camp, with more than 50 past producing mines; and the only permitted cobalt refinery in North America capable of producing battery materials.

Recently, First Cobalt announced the appointment of Henrik Fisker, chairman and CEO of California-based electric vehicle OEM Fisker Inc., to the company’s board of directors with immediate effect (http://ibn.fm/gmXZo). As a global automotive design icon and renowned entrepreneur, Fisker brings his unique understanding of electric vehicles and outside perspective to the company. The addition of Fisker to the company’s board of directors will allow First Cobalt to draw from his many talents as an EV pioneer, entrepreneur and successful OEM car designer.

Throughout his career in the automotive sector, Fisker has become synonymous with iconic cars and leadership in premium electric vehicle development. Fisker’s vision is behind some of the most emotionally appealing vehicles ever created, including the BMW Z8, the Aston Martin DB9/V8 Vantage, the VLF Force 1, the Fisker Karma and more. Henrik and Fisker Inc. are currently working toward the development of the next generation of electric vehicle expertise, tomorrow’s technology and compelling design for the advancement of human mobility and comfort.

For more information, visit the company’s website at http://ibn.fm/FTSSF