• Mike Haridopolos, former president of the Florida State Senate, joins advisory board
• Green platform still at the core of REFG’s operations
• Strategically expanding through seed-to-sale services

Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions (OTC: REFG) recently announced the addition of Mike Haridopolos, former president of the Florida State Senate, to the company’s advisory board. Haridopolos brings a wealth of experience, education and national respect to the board. He is a former college professor of political science and history, has authored three books on politics and has served in both Florida’s House and Senate. Jeremy Roberts, CEO of REFG, and Curt Bramble, the advisory board’s chair, both expressed their excitement.

In a news release, Roberts stated, “With his experience working on Florida’s legislation, working to solve the prescription drug crisis and his experience in politics cross the nation, he helps us expand our footprint and will help us achieve our corporate objectives.” He joins an already strong advisory board consisting of former Oregon State Sen. Bruce Starr, former U.S. vice presidential Libertarian candidate James Gray, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and Curt Bramble, current president pro tempore of the Utah State Senate (http://ibn.fm/QVqKI).

REFG is a first-tier merchant processing cannabis industry pioneer, offering one of the first and only comprehensive card processing operations of its kind to serve the state-sanctioned medical marijuana industry. The company’s state of the art system tracks sales and tax collection, eliminating the need to deal in cash-only transactions. Bank support is often limited or non-existent due to federal regulations that are still in place. REFG’s “Green” platform allows merchants to sign up for these unique services online while guaranteeing FinCEN compliance.

While payment solutions remain at the core of REFG’s services, the company continues to strategically expand through diversified services that promise higher product quality in a seed-to-sale model. The company is working to acquire land and licenses in three states to grow industrial hemp through its newly acquired Colorado-licensed SpeedyGrow. It is looking at properties for purchase in Vermont, and has acquired 40 acres in Utah for the purpose of growing industrial hemp. Through SpeedyGrow, REFG is partnering with local Colorado hemp farmers and providing SpeedyVeg, an organic soil accelerator, to maximize crops.  Once harvested mobile hemp CBD extraction labs are being deployed to the farms. These labs improve processing efficiency, reduce energy consumption, eliminate redundant costs and provide a higher level of control over product quality. These farms are either owned and operated by REFG or have entered into processing agreements with the company. Once the CBD is extracted, merchant clients can utilize the Green platform for a one-of-a-kind client management and payment solution.

The addition of Haridopolos to REFG is one of many strategic moves to diversify, grow and better serve the cannabis industry.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Take.Green

• PreveCeutical was recently featured in an interview by Proactive Investors
• The company is currently developing its Sol-gel drug delivery platform for delivery of cannabinoids
• Sol-gel technology is paving the way for direct nose-to-brain drug delivery

Innovative health sciences company PreveCeutical Medical Inc. (CSE: PREV) (OTCQB: PRVCF) (FSE: 18H) was recently featured by Proactive Investors in a “Corporate News Update” regarding the company’s potentially game-changing Sol-gel drug delivery platform (http://ibn.fm/ryrqu).  The company earlier provided a written press release updating the Sol-gel program (http://ibn.fm/Bww8y).

Sol-gel, a nickname for soluble gel, is taken through nasal (systemic) administration and quickly gels once it comes in contact with the mucosal tissue, paving the way for direct nose-to-brain delivery of drugs and effectively bypassing the stomach and intestines. This eliminates first-pass metabolism and could dramatically enhance bioavailability – even in comparison with nasal sprays and other newer drug delivery systems. The gel stays in the nasal passages and slowly releases its drug formulation while keeping it active for up to seven days. These long-lasting effects, coupled with easy application, offer great attraction as a drug delivery vehicle for patients.

PreveCeutical’s breakthrough Sol-gel technology is currently being tested in connection with various cannabis strains for the development and eventual commercialization of cannabinoid-based Sol-gel products. The company’s Sol-gel research and development program uses five distinct Cannabis sativa L. strains that contain a broad array of CBD:THC concentrations, enabling the development of medical cannabis products designed to treat various ailments and diseases. PreveCeutical’s current focus for the Sol-gel program is on developing Sol-gel formulations that contain fixed CBD:THC concentrations that, when sprayed using a custom applicator, can consistently and safely deliver CBD:THC in predefined ratios to the central nervous system.

Prior to obtaining medicinal cannabis import permits and licenses, which PreveCeutical achieved earlier this year, the company laid the framework for its Sol-gel program by evaluating the non-cannabinoid elements of commercially sourced cannabis plants and assessing the viability of incorporating them into the Sol-gel delivery platform. Through this preliminary screening of non-cannabinoid elements, PreveCeutical gained increased understanding regarding how components (other than CBD and THC) affect the formulation of Sol-gel systems, along with insight into the chemical compatibility, physiochemical stability and biocompatibility of Sol-gels with biological membranes. This has paved the way for optimization of engineered Sol-gels that contain PreveCeutical’s target gelation and adherence properties.

Additionally, the company is in the process of developing a custom Sol-gel applicator. PreveCeutical’s research partner, The University of Queensland, has received multiple Sol-gel spray device prototypes from the company’s manufacturer. Evaluations are ongoing, but the preliminary results have been promising.

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

• Construction spending in U.S. is projected to exceed $1.42 trillion in 2021
• Homeownership rate in the U.S. continues to decline while median price of new homes sold rose to $384,900
• Lack of affordable housing is termed a “crisis” in communities nationwide
• The company’s energy efficient, lightweight concrete technology is a cost-effective, structurally superior design created for commercial, residential projects

Auscrete Corp. (OTC: ASCK) is a building products manufacturer of environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient housing and commercial structures using a lightweight hybrid concrete material developed through a proprietary technology. Auscrete’s unique process produces a medium that is cost-efficient, extremely soundproof, offers high insulation values, requires very low maintenance, won’t burn, non-toxic, highly resistant to insects and mold, and resists damage from hurricane forces and earth tremors. It’s a more affordable, energy-efficient “green” construction material that can be utilized for building residential housing and commercial structures.

Affordable homes are increasingly becoming more difficult to purchase in the U.S. with the median price of a new home consistently rising while wages stay stagnant in many areas and mortgage rates rise. The average price of new homes sold in the U.S. in 2017 was nearly $385,000, according to Statista. The homeownership rate in the U.S. has been in decline since 2004, the report states, and now amounts to a little more than 64 percent of Americans.

Auscrete’s lightweight concrete product is described as an aerated concrete material following infusion of a specially designed foaming agent during manufacture. This technology enables the product to have millions of minuscule air bubble “aggregates” introduced and evenly distributed throughout the cast sections, which creates a unique, lightweight product without compromising strength or structural integrity. Each hybrid panel also incorporates a distinctive XPS insulation amalgamation that guarantees greater comfort in a wide range of climatic conditions and a reduction in heating and cooling costs. The final product is a light and strong concrete panel with an extremely high insulation value, as well as excellent fire resistance and sound-proofing qualities.

Auscrete’s product also offers a high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing architects and engineers to develop new design and construction concepts that take advantage of the product’s reduced weight, which is nearly half that of normal concrete. Each panel can be cast in large sections, a common size being 16-feet by 8-feet, for easier transportation and faster construction on site. Savings are enhanced, not only by the energy efficiency of each panel, but through the use of mass production techniques. Auscrete estimates the company can produce a ready-to-move-in turnkey house for around $100 per square foot, which is significantly less than the 2017 median list price of $148 per square foot in the U.S., according to a report by Zillow.

Auscrete is constructing its flagship, 10-acre facility in Goldendale, Washington, on initially 5 acres the company recently purchased with the option to purchase another 5 adjacent acres. This new campus will ultimately comprise of 6 buildings, including 3 production buildings of 25,000 sq. ft. with each production buildings’ capacity of 100 homes annually, giving this flagship facility the ability to produce 300 homes or equivalent commercial structures per year.

During this construction phase, Auscrete has leased a commercial building in Goldendale. The facility will be used as a temporary headquarters and will also serve as a refurbishing station for production equipment the company has developed and used in its prior production plant. John Sprovieri, CEO and founder of Auscrete Corporation, is at the helm of the company with Mike Young serving as vice president of internal operations and Otto Paulette controlling the in-house mechanical services.

Auscrete’s Investor Relations Director, Lee Odom said, “The company’s construction process has already attracted interest from many developers, contractors and builders, some with large tracts of land looking to make available, significant numbers of Affordable Homes throughout the Country. Additionally, there have been significant commercial projects offered including 300 room destination hotel resorts, correctional facilities, a shopping complex, and a court house along with a flood of inquiries from people who are looking for more affordable building options”.

“This could really launch the commercial aspect for ASCK, apart from residential home production which so many investors are not yet aware of,” Odom said. “A strong combination of both will lead ASCK to better performance through all business cycles, thus continuing to enhance the shareholder values, which is always the ultimate goal of Auscrete Corporation.”

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

• Designing and powering Hyperledger blockchain technologies
• Creating solutions for sectors highly reliant on supply chain transparency and efficiency
• Business model allows for the creation of several wholly owned subsidiaries
• Working relationship with IBM provides expertise on supply chain implementations
• Management has more than 50 years of combined experience in finance, M&A, investments and more
• Advisory team led by Dr. Wang-Chan Wong, a 25-year veteran of global IT enterprise

Pacific Software Inc. (OTC: PFSF) is focused on the design, development, and distribution of Hyperledger blockchain technology solutions for application to the specific needs of agriculture, cannabis, and the opioid epidemic.

The basic requirements of the systems to be developed include high-throughput transaction processing, traceability or tracking, visibility or monitoring, and transparency throughout the supply and value chains for the stakeholders. The development of this architecture will serve as an online commercial portal to service Pacific Software’s B2B accounts in the sectors below.

Agriculture

For application of its Agri-blockchain based system, Pacific Software will target farm-to-consumer exports to increase transparency, combat theft and counterfeit products, and reduce the health risks associated with shipping “tainted” agricultural products to other countries.

Cannabis

Perceiving blockchain as an ideal mechanism for the complexities of the cannabis industry, Pacific Software will strive to improve the transparency, compliance, and efficiency of the “seed-to-sale” supply chain in states where the plant is legal.

Controlled Substances

With the misuse of opioids on the rise worldwide, Pacific Software aims to apply its blockchain-based system to track opioids from pharmaceutical production to consumers and attempt to identify “Bad Actors” in the supply chain and fight against the global epidemic.

Business Model

The portal will be structured in a B2B format where clients will pay the company transaction fees, royalties, cash, cash equivalents and other forms of compensation to utilize its Hyperledger blockchain applications for their business models.

As the company executes these strategies, each Hyperledger blockchain-based system designed may be organized separately in wholly owned subsidiaries. To enhance its portfolio of holdings, Pacific Software may consider investments in companies where selected markets have imminent profitable results, providing appreciable value for investors and shareholders.

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

• World Crypto Con to award six university teams with opportunity to present blockchain research and projects
• Online applications accepted until August 31, with winners being revealed on October 1
• Conference to feature over 5,000 attendees and more than 150 exhibitors

World Crypto Con (“WCC”), the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry’s most immersive and interactive conference experience, this morning announced its inaugural University Research Showcase Scholarship. Per the update, the scholarship will award six university teams the opportunity to present their cutting-edge blockchain research and projects to more than 5,000 attendees at World Crypto Con, which is set to take place at the Aria Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas from October 31 to November 2.

“The future of blockchain holds unlimited opportunities and we’re excited to give university students a global stage to showcase their forward-thinking applications of this emerging technology and how it will change the world,” Adam Williams, co-founder of WCC, stated in the news release. “The challenge for these scholarship applicants is to present innovative and actionable concepts for blockchain that, if selected, they will present on the largest stage in blockchain, to the most notable leaders and pioneers in the space.”

WCC’s university scholarship is designed to provide future blockchain entrepreneurs with a global stage for their research, and the awards that are in store for winners reflect this mission. As noted in this morning’s update, winners will receive free entry to World Crypto Con for up to four team members, an exhibit booth space, a designated panel to share their projects and publicity on WCC’s website leading up to the conference. Winners will also have an opportunity to make connections with potential partners through the event’s series of networking sessions, educational programming and influencer meetups.

Those interested in applying can do so now by visiting the online application; submissions will be accepted until August 31. The top 10 finalist teams will be announced on September 17, with a community voting round being used to select the winners. The six winning entries are expected to be revealed on October 1.

WCC is hailed as “The Future of Bitcoin, Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conferences” with its focus on bringing mass adoption of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology through small, medium and enterprise business innovation. In addition to top keynote speakers, non-stop education and networking opportunities, WCC will feature over 5,000 attendees, 150+ exhibitors and roughly 200,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space.

For more information on World Crypto Con, visit the event’s website at www.WorldCryptoCon.com

• Active investigation phase in the EU, Canada, China, Japan and India
• Forming four new wholly owned subsidiaries
• Seeks to acquire an equitable tax treatment

Cannabinoids are poorly absorbed by the body’s gastrointestinal tract, a trait that Lexaria Bioscience Corp.’s (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) lipophilic enhancement technology DehydraTECH™ is changing. Previously, consumers have turned to cannabis smoking to achieve higher effectiveness. However, human clinical studies have shown DehydraTECH™ to have a quick rate of absorption, allowing users to avoid the risks associated with smoking. DehydraTECH™ offers improved taste and smell, with effects felt within 15 to 20 minutes as opposed to the 60-120 minutes associated with traditional ingestion methods. This edible technology is patent-protected for CBD and all other cannabinoids, with the potential to revolutionize additional industries.

Lexaria is a biotechnology company that out-licenses its disruptive delivery technology promoting healthier ingestion methods. The company is the only one worldwide that has patents in the U.S. and Australia, with more pending in 40 countries for improved delivery of all non-psychoactive cannabinoids. The technology is in the active investigation phase in the EU, Canada, China, Japan and India.

DehydraTECH™ applies to far more than cannabinoids and is patented or patent-pending for use with a broad range of bioactive molecules. Last year, the company received its first patent on nicotine, ibuprofen and aspirin delivery in the U.S. This enabling technology has far-reaching implications and can be used to improve existing products or create new ones.

Currently, the company is forming four new wholly owned subsidiaries, one each for the pharmaceutical, nicotine, hemp and cannabis industries. Each subsidiary will take full advantage of DehydraTECH™ patent absorption technology and its applications to the related industry sector. In a recent Uptick Newswire podcast interview, Chris Bunka, CEO of LXRP, indicated that up to 80 percent of total revenue for the company will come from licensing deals (http://ibn.fm/mr9nr). Creating subsidiaries for separate industry sectors is expected to greatly assist in the research and development and financial growth of LXRP.

Previous plans to convert the company from being U.S.-based to Canada-based have been put on hold as the company seeks to acquire an equitable tax treatment following news that some shareholders may be adversely affected by punitive taxes upon the conversion.

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

• Core drilling program completed at San Roque property in Argentina
• Up to 600 core samples are being shipped to a certified laboratory for assay, with management optimistic about “favorable results”
• Company also pursuing cobalt and lithium, two other minerals risking global shortage due to increased demand

Reputable mining experts have issued stern warnings in recent weeks that the global supply of gold is declining at an alarming rate, with yet no viable substitutes to replace the precious metal. The world has reached “peak gold,” with reserves being mined much faster than they are being replaced  by new discoveries, and with virtually no new major gold deposits being identified, according to gold and mining experts quoted by Sovereign Man (http://ibn.fm/MCDcX). Aiming to help meet the growing demand for gold, Marifil Mines Ltd. (TSX.V: MFM) (OTCQB: MFMLF) recently completed a drilling program at a flagship property in Argentina where it searches for gold and zinc.

Based in Vancouver, Canada, the exploration company also pursues cobalt and lithium – two minerals that are also facing a growing global demand and potential shortage as a result of their use in lithium-ion batteries. Demand for lithium-ion batteries is primarily being driven by their use in electric vehicles, a fast-growing industry as several European countries and China have passed legislation aiming to replace standard gas and diesel-powered vehicles with EVs. It is expected that at least 14 percent of all cars worldwide will be battery-powered by 2025 (http://ibn.fm/NchpP).

Engaged in the exploration, evaluation and acquisition of mineral-rich properties in Argentina and keeping its primary focus on gold, lithium and cobalt, Marifil Mines is uniquely positioned for growth and success in its market segment. The company is optimistic about its prospects, in particular about the results of its recently completed drilling program at San Roque in southwestern Argentina’s Rio Negro province, where it resumed its search for gold after a six-year hiatus.

The drilling program consisted of four drill holes for a total of 846.5 meters (2,836 feet), bringing overall drilling on the property to 15,683 meters (51,453 feet) across 112 holes, the company said in a press release (http://ibn.fm/tn436). All drilled cores are being geologically and geotechnically logged and analyzed, with up to 600 core samples set to be further assayed by a specialized laboratory in Mendoza, Argentina. The laboratory has so far received 185 samples.

Marifil Mines has implemented a systematic quality assurance control on the drill cores and has hired an independent consulting geochemistry expert to analyze the credibility of assay returns. A report on the drilling program results for all four holes will be made public as soon as all assays are completed and verified.

The company’s drilling program also aims to augment confirmation of the Zone 34 gold find and expand the reported size of the deposit by testing a kilometer-long geophysical anomaly that is believed to have been created by sulfides possibly bearing gold and zinc.

“This drilling campaign was nicely executed and done so within budget by our Argentinean crew. From the look of the drill cores, we are hopeful for some favorable results,” Marifil Mines Vice President Richard Walters, who is also a certified professional geologist by the American Association of Professional Geologists and a qualified person by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, stated in a news release.

In addition to the San Roque property, Marifil Mines is taking steps to revive its lithium exploration program in the so-called ‘Lithium Triangle’ of the Argentine Puma, which was halted in 2009. The company owns three unexplored mine rights and is planning to purchase a fourth property from a competitor who recently announced the discovery of potentially economic lithium brines. Marifil is seeking to leverage its cobalt-bearing property, Las Aguilas, in a joint venture equity exchange for the lithium property. With over $15 million invested so far and a total of 143 drill holes for 29,499 meters (96,757 feet), the patented Las Aguilas mining claims spread over 359 hectares (887 acres) and are 100 percent owned by the company.

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

• Second round of testing for MIDS Cardiac™ detection technology for cardiac emergency triage reveals breakthrough quantitative testing results
• American Heart Association projects that 130 million adults in the U.S. will have some form of cardiovascular disease by 2035, with total costs expected to reach $1.1 trillion
• Studies performed outside the United States have demonstrated that high-sensitivity troponin testing speeds the triage of patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI, “Heart Attack”)
• Identifying low levels of troponin using a rapid-response, handheld diagnostic device for cardiac emergency triage can speed the treatment of AMI and improve treatment outcomes
• Identifying a low-risk patient could permit early emergency room discharge and avoid unnecessary hospitalization and costs

Health care technology company Zenosense, Inc. (OTCQB: ZENO) has completed two important milestones recently. The first was a successful second round of quantitative testing for the MIDS detection technology; the technology is core to the development of MIDS Cardiac™, a handheld device to rapidly test for certain cardiac biomarkers at the point of care. The second milestone relates to the company’s uplisting to the OTC Markets Group OTCQB Venture Market. By trading on the OTCQB Venture Market, Zenosense is better positioned to build shareholder value with a goal of enhancing liquidity and achieving fair valuation (http://ibn.fm/4q5BI).

Zenosense recently released breakthrough quantitative test results on the patented MIDS detection technology, which is being developing through its joint ownership in MIDS Medical Limited (“MML”), based at the prestigious Sci-Tech Daresbury campus in the United Kingdom. Targeting a major unmet medical need, MIDS Cardiac™ is being designed for use in emergency settings to help medical staff rapidly diagnose heart attack at an early stage and improve treatment and patient outcomes.

In a news release announcing the quantitative testing results (http://ibn.fm/jrS3f), Zenosense reported that the revised and improved sensor electronics detection system of its MIDS technology confirmed the testing results announced in late 2017 with materially improved results of a near doubling of sensitivity in detecting commercially available assay beads. The MIDS Cardiac™ device will utilize the MIDS technology, or ‘Magnetic Immunoassay Detection System’, which is capable of detecting extremely low levels of magnetic field disturbance caused by discrete test particles, the company states.

“MIDS is a hugely challenging development,” MML Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Nasser Djennati said in announcing the test results. “The results of this second round of testing are quite extraordinary, as magnetic detection at this level for this application is unheard of. We can now move forward and apply the MIDS detection to established assay techniques used in conventional analyzers as we seek to deliver state-of-the-art laboratory standard, high sensitivity cardiac troponin testing at the Point of Care.”

Every year about 735,000 Americans experience a heart attack, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://ibn.fm/Ig78O). Heart disease, the leading cause of death for both men and women, kills about one in every four people, according to the CDC. In fact, more than seven million Americans will go to the emergency room with chest pain symptoms this year, but 90 percent of these patients will not have an acute myocardial infarction (a heart attack) and no major adverse cardiac event will occur with the next 30 days, the American Medical Association reported in the February 2018 JAMA journal (http://ibn.fm/Zn9Wk).

These patients, however, are commonly hospitalized or kept under observation for an evaluation that often results in a diagnosis that does not include a heart attack. Being able to identify those patients who are at low-risk for a heart attack may permit early emergency room discharge and avoid unnecessary hospitalization. Rapid turnaround of low-risk patients could mean shorter wait times, increased satisfaction, improved outcomes and cost-saving benefits, as the article notes.

In its 2018 update on heart disease and stroke statistics (http://ibn.fm/FcSEa), the American Heart Association again reiterates that coronary heart disease (43.8 percent) is the leading cause of deaths attributable to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the U.S., followed by stroke (16.8 percent), high blood pressure (9.4 percent), heart failure (9.0 percent) and other cardiovascular diseases (17.9 percent). By 2035, some 130 million adults in the U.S., or 45 percent of the population, are projected to have some form of CVD. Total costs related to CVD are expected to reach $1.1 trillion.

Successfully achieving detection equal or superior to state of the art laboratory analyzers with advanced portability allowing it to be used at point of care, including in an emergency setting, could make MIDS Cardiac™ an absolute game changer that could help save lives and money by enabling a swift diagnosis with a previously unheard of accuracy at the point of care (http://ibn.fm/mTVLw), the company states.

“These (test) results should not be underestimated,” Carlos Gil, CEO of Zenosense, stated in a news release. “I am not aware of any other detection technology suitable for use at the Point of Care which comes anywhere close to achieving these results. We are now so far within the limit of detection I am extremely confident that high sensitivity rapid troponin testing can become a reality in emergency settings. Achieving these results is a huge step towards that. I truly believe we have a blockbuster technology in the making.”

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

• 3Q2018 launch is planned for three more flavors in company’s CBD raw dark chocolate edibles line, prepared in conjunction with partner Karmavore Superfoods
• Edibles segment of CBD market is growing in states where marijuana is legal, such as Colorado, Oregon and Maine, with cannabis chocolate sales soaring
• Extension of ETST’s raw dark chocolate CBD line will boost total to five flavors

Earth Science Tech, Inc. (OTC: ETST) has revamped its line of CBD products and will extend its line of raw dark chocolates in conjunction with joint venture partner Karmavore Superfoods. Research shows that, in several states where marijuana is legalized, such as Colorado, Oregon and Maine, both edibles and chocolates are growing.

ETST has extended its unique full spectrum cannabinoid CBD raw dark chocolate line to five products, with new flavors including Covered Mangoes, Coconut Peppermint Cups and Caramelized Quinoa Crunch. All were formulated with ETST’s joint venture partner, Karmavore Superfoods, a health foods company. Launch is expected in the third quarter of 2018 (http://ibn.fm/3tcqj).

Chocolates are a growing segment of the CBD market. According to research firm BDS Analytics, gummies are first, and chocolate pieces are second in growth. Candies accounted for 38 percent of all cannabis edibles industry sales, with chocolate pieces exhibiting 166 percent expansion in Colorado and Oregon in the first quarter of 2018 (http://ibn.fm/NY6Vd).

ETST, a biotech company based in Doral, Florida, is focused on developing medical devices for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical fields and marketing its high-grade line of hemp cannabidiol. It also manufactures, markets and distributes its own cannabinoid products, including capsules and oils, to the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical markets.

According to Cannabis Business Executive, Colorado cannabis edibles sales grew by 10 percent in January and February of 2018 versus the same period of 2017, outpacing the seven percent broader cannabis marketplace growth in the state (http://ibn.fm/rJnOZ). During that same period, edibles in Oregon grew by 87 percent.

In Maine, edibles are gaining a larger share of medical marijuana sales. In 2016, some 7.4 percent of its medical marijuana taxes came from edibles, as reported by the state’s Department of Administrative and Financial Services. In the prior year, the Portland Press Herald had the number as 5.4 percent (http://ibn.fm/3VFsO).

ETST holds several wholly-owned subsidiaries. Cannabis Therapeutics is an emerging biotechnology company. KannaBidioiD manufactures and distributes in the recreational sector. Earth Science Foundation is becoming a non-profit and accepts grants and donations to conduct additional studies. Earth Science Pharmaceutical develops medical diagnostic tools and vaccines. Earth Science also has the subsidiary Canno Inno Laboratories Inc., a strategic Montreal, Canada-based company formed to provide ETST with access to government grants.

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

• Electronic payments engendering transition to a cashless society
• Electronic payments carry high transaction costs
• Blockchain technology holds the promise of lowering those costs
• Latest payment system, QuickCard, launched and running successfully

If cash is still king, it has to be a constitutional monarchy, for electronic payment instruments and technologies like those being developed by GreenBox POS, LLC (OTCQB: GRBX) now dominate the payments system. The company’s latest payment system, QuickCard, has been showing impressive market performance metrics (http://ibn.fm/TRa8I). The blockchain-powered e-wallet has performed without flaw since its launch in May 2018.

GreenBox, headquartered in San Diego with offices in Seattle, Las Vegas, and Vancouver, British Columbia, builds customized payment solutions based on blockchain secure ledger technology designed to lower transaction costs, reduce fraud and strengthen regulatory compliance. By combining the benefits of cash and electronic payments, these payment solutions are taking us closer to a cashless economy. As their acceptance grows, these innovative technologies from GreenBox are likely to change how people worldwide behave with money.

Cash has lost its crown. In 2015, a study by the San Francisco Fed found that it had been the most frequently used retail payment instrument, facilitating 32 percent of all transactions, including bill payments. By contrast, consumers had used debit cards for 27 percent of their transactions and credit cards for 21 percent of transactions (http://ibn.fm/gwCzW). In the space of two years, all of that has changed. The most recent study of consumer payment choice, conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, discovered that, in 2017, U.S. consumers aged 18 and older made 70 payments per month on average, with debit cards accounting for 31.8 percent of those payments, cash for 27.4 percent and credit cards for 23.2 percent (http://ibn.fm/TE61c). Cash has been toppled, and its position will undoubtedly erode further as innovative payment solutions like those offered by GreenBox replace traditional methodologies in the payments ecosystem.

GreenBox is pushing progression to a cashless society with a string of blockchain-based technologies. Its QuickCard is a blockchain powered e-wallet accessible through an Android app, an iOS app or via a cash loading kiosk installed in participating retailers and merchants. It is coupled with the QuickCard Kiosk, which handles all cash management issues, both physical and virtual. Working together on the QuickCard payment platform, direct and immediate deposits from cash to blockchain can be made and instantly confirmed, providing a deposit solution that is unrivalled. The QuickCard payment platform takes the concept of an ATM to another level. Using it, a consumer can deposit his or her cash at the Kiosk, after which it immediately becomes available for use. The QuickCard payment platform, capable of instantly settling transactions with unparalleled security and fully integrated blockchain-secured ledger technology, also includes offline functionality and cold storage capabilities.

Other GreenBox products include its point-of-sale solution, which features operational compliance, financial audit preparation, expense tracking, tax payments and data fidelity controls, such as backup and restore, cloud security and privacy settings. The GreenBox POS software is fully integrated with a delivery app, a payment app and an application programming interface (API), and it features front register mode and back-end admin mode, in addition to in-admin mode to manage employees, vendors, expenses, taxes and compliance. All records are stored on the blockchain, with data reliably secured and protected.

GreenBox has also developed LOOPZ, a delivery software solution that offers service dispatcher back-end technology with manual and automatic modes. The software is uniquely designed to be effectively utilized for mobile delivery service operations with full autonomous dispatch capabilities. LOOPZ provides two mobile apps (driver and consumer) running on Android and iOS, direct reporting to point of sale inventory and use-of-pay for instant settlements, as well as separate escrow setup for tips and merchant sales. As with other GreenBox solutions, all data and information are securely hosted on a blockchain platform.

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