Colorado has been a canary in the coal mine for signaling developing trends in the cannabis industry since the state approved recreational consumption back in 2012. The latest trend to crop up on investor’s radar, a shortage of indoor space to grow the more than 19 tons of pot sold last year, was recently highlighted by the Wall Street Journal in an article that breaks down how the state is seeing a commercial real-estate crunch due to the rapid proliferation of indoor grow operations and distribution facilities. According to brokerage firm Cresa Partners, such operators collectively took up one third of all leased warehouse space over the last 18 months in Colorado, as the number of active grow licenses for retail consumption has nearly doubled, coming in at just under 400.

With $700 million in sales for medical and recreational combined last year, and a new monthly record of some $50.1 million in June for recreational sales alone, Colorado’s thriving cannabis market shows no signs of slowing down, adding further fuel to the fire of tightening supply in warehouse space that is available for lease. Moreover, this same trend could go viral in coming years as more and more states move to pass similar laws, with state legislatures spurred on by juicy tax revenue figures. In Colorado, school-bound tax revenues from the marijuana industry hit $16.6 million for the first six months of 2015, a 24.8 percent increase over the amount earmarked for schools that was taken in during all of last year.

Little surprise then that states like Oregon have rapidly moved to pass similar decriminalization, with a law recently signed by the Governor allowing dispensaries that are already selling medical marijuana to begin dispensing recreational as well, a full three months ahead of the initially scheduled date. With retail projections of around $200 million for its first year and an accompanying tax take in the neighborhood of $20 million, according to Arcview Market Research, Oregon could quickly see the same kind of scramble for indoor grow space that Colorado is now experiencing. Also, with eleven more states currently on the road to passing recreational legalization, such as California and Nevada, the demand for indoor grow space and the requisite cultivation technologies that go along with it, spell a bright future for companies such as Cherubim Interests, Inc. (OTC: CHIT).

Cherubim Interests has acquired an exclusive worldwide license to portable and scalable controlled environment agriculture technology, and the company is now leveraging its capacity as an alternative construction and real estate development company to build and deploy facilities for the booming medical and recreational cannabis market. Leaning heavily on wholly-owned subsidiary BudCube Cultivation Systems USA, Cherubim Interests will seek to gain an increasingly dominant hand in the cultivation game, as the same trend that has been firmly established in Colorado goes nationwide, amid the continued rush by states to pass legalization measures in pursuit of hefty tax revenues.

With lease rates currently around $17 per square foot in Denver, or roughly four times the average rate for industrial space elsewhere in the country, and no signs of Colorado’s marijuana industry slowing down, this is a shrewd play for development-stage Cherubim. The low hanging fruit of the cannabis sector is only the beginning for CHIT as well, given that its model for controlled environment cultivation is perfect for addressing other agricultural demands, such as the growing desire among consumers in established markets for organic produce, and increasing food shortages worldwide, driven by mounting environmental factors that have led to extreme drought conditions in numerous regions.

BudCube Cultivation Systems USA offers an extremely lightweight and flexible grow model for rapidly implementing cultivation anywhere in the country where cannabis cultivation is made legal. The immediate advantages of such a scalable, modular, and completely portable solution to commercial operators on the supply end of the marijuana business are unmistakable. The total cost of implementing such a solution is highly preferable to established construction and cultivation methodologies, and the speed at which such an approach can be implemented will continue to be seen as a key advantage for operators looking to seize first-mover advantage as new markets open up in other states.

Of course, controlled environment agriculture is just one focus area for CHIT, as the company is also pursuing alternative construction and broader real estate development goals via its recently announced hybrid business model. In addition to plant cultivation facilities, the company will pursue acquisition/development of single, multi-family and commercial rental properties.

By leasing secured square footage in the controlled environment agriculture space, on both the micro (traditional multi-tenant) and macro (single tenant) scale to individuals or corporations in need, via an approach that is similar to mini-storage companies, Cherubim Interests aims to get significant mileage out of combining its proprietary grow tech with real estate development and property management oversight.

For more information, visit www.cherubiminterests.com or www.budcube.com

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Latitude 360, the company behind the ultimate upscale multi-dimensional entertainment eatery, recently upped the ante on its award-winning ‘360 Experience’ through the official launch of its fantasy sports platform, 360 Fantasy Live. Just in time for football season, 360 Fantasy Live provides fantasy athletes with an opportunity to claim cash prizes while soaking in the top-quality entertainment, food and drinks on offer within every Latitude 360 location across the country. By signing up at www.360fantasylive.com, players will have access to a wide range of daily and weekly contests throughout the entirety of the 2015 National Football League season and beyond.

“We’re excited to enhance our current line of offerings with the launch of 360 Fantasy Live, building on the months-long excitement and competitiveness of the NFL season,” Brent Brown, chief executive officer of LATX, stated in a news release. “Our mission is to continually evolve the Latitude 360 brand to reach more consumers and build customer loyalty once they step into our venues – all part of an overarching vision to empower our brand and exponentially grow shareholder value.”

In the past decade, the number of people playing fantasy sports in North America has exploded. An estimated 56.8 million people are expected to participate in fantasy sports this year, up more than 350 percent from 2005, according to a report by the Fantasy Sports Trade Association. Daily fantasy sports, in particular, have experienced a significant boost in recent years. In 2012, fantasy sports players spent, on average, $5 each year on daily Fantasy sports, but that figure is expected to grow to more than $250 by the end of 2015.

While major industry players such as Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO) and CBS (NYSE: CBS) continue to evolve their offerings in order to meet shifting consumer demand, LATX is in a strong strategic position to establish a sustainable foothold in the thriving fantasy sports market in the months to come. When combined with the industry-leading experience on offer at its venues, the company’s 360 Fantasy Live platform is a groundbreaking take on the fantasy sports phenomenon that’s expected to promote considerable industry growth in the future.

LATX currently owns and operates locations in Jacksonville, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis, and the company recently announced an agreement with Frank Entertainment that’s expected to double the number of Latitude 360 locations before the end of the year. The launch of 360 Fantasy Live, as well as the company’s impending expansion, highlights its aggressive growth strategy.

For more information, visit www.latitude360.com

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Green Cures & Botanical Distribution is a leading industrial hemp and botanical products innovator providing a full line of premium hemp-infused nutritional supplements, as well as sports wellness and complete body care products. From concept to distribution, the company is dedicated to the creation and introduction of innovative products that promote a healthy lifestyle. In recent months, GRCU has taken significant steps toward increasing its market share in order to better capitalize on rising consumer demand for hemp-based products. In particular, the company’s efforts to improve the branding of its product line are expected to facilitate expanded product placement through widened distribution channels in the future.

Through a recently announced partnership with Monster Marketing Group, Inc., a subsidiary of New Generation Consumer Group, Inc. (OTC: NGCG), GRCU is currently preparing to launch numerous aggressive marketing and promotional campaigns designed to maximize the effectiveness of its rebranding efforts. These targeted marketing programs are expected to greatly expand brand recognition for the company’s unique products on a national basis, providing improved access to pivotal consumer markets.

Last month, GRCU expanded upon its existing product portfolio through the acquisition of Hemp Shisha, a premium cannabidiol (CBD) e-liquid designed for use with electronic hookah heads. The company plans to begin offering Hemp Shisha products through a collection of online retail outlets and hookah shops in the coming months. In addition to the strong performance of the market for CBD-infused products, the Hemp Shisha acquisition gives GRCU improved access to the rapidly expanding e-cigarette and vaping market, which is forecast to reach $3.5 billion this year, according to a report by CNBC.

For more information, visit www.gcbdinc.com

Today before the opening bell, Neah Power Systems announced the addition of William A. Nitze to the company’s strategic advisory board.

“Mr. Nitze’s extensive commercialization, capitalization, international business and focus on off-grid and renewable energy experience will be invaluable to the growth of our Company,” stated Dr. Chris D’Couto, president and CEO of Neah Power Systems.

Nitze will contribute his knowledge and array of specialties to advise on commercialization and international growth strategies.

“I am pleased to facilitate the growth of Neah Power Systems with its unique and differentiated technology offerings, which are clearly needed for off-grid, renewable power for a variety of domestic and international markets,” commented Nitze. “It’s an honor to join the team and I look forward to providing Neah Power Systems with insight and guidance obtained from my current and previous endeavors.”

Nitze is currently chairman of Oceana Energy Company, a company developing and seeking to commercialize a new hydrokinetic technology to convert tidal energy into electricity; and chairman of Clear Path Technologies, Inc., a company that designs and builds neutron-based systems for detecting and identifying explosives and other dangerous substances in containers and develops integrated security solutions. He is also vice-chairman of Senseye, Inc., a company software for the transmission of visual images and other information.

In 2003 Nitze co-founded GridPoint, Inc., a company that develops and markets intelligent energy management systems for commercial and industrial applications. Nitze is senior advisor for Energy and Environment Policy at the Transnational Strategy Group. He also serves on the board of the Aspen Institute and the advisory board of the Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study at George Mason University.

Nitze has held key positions in government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector in the United States and abroad. From 1994 to 2001, he served as assistant administrator for International Activities at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He was president of the Alliance to Save Energy from 1990 to 1994; and from 1987 to 1990 served as deputy assistant secretary of State for Environment, Health and Natural Resources, for which he held a lead role in international negotiations on global issues such as climate change, ozone layer protection and trans-boundary air pollution. Early in his career, Nitze worked in the legal department of Mobil Oil Corporation and from 1976 to 1980was general counsel of Mobil Oil Japan.

Nitze is also an adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategic & International Studies and chairman of the board of advisors of the European Institute. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Nitze is a graduate of Harvard College, Wadham College, Oxford, and Harvard Law School. He is a member of the State of New York and U.S. Supreme Court Bars.

For more information on Neah Power Systems, visit www.neahpower.com

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Last year, Harvest Soul, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fresh Promise Foods, Inc. (OTC: FPFI), made its mark on the booming organic foods industry through the release of an innovative line of chewable juice products. Within two months, the company had secured placement in all 32 Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM) locations in its five-state southern region, becoming the first USDA organic chewable juices available in the popular retail chain. Earlier this week, FPFI announced a consolidated debt initiative that’s expected to help it capitalize on the company’s strategic advantage and provide a platform upon which to promote positive and predictive growth.

“We have been working hard on this initiative and have found the right partners who truly understand what we are trying to achieve and who share our vision,” Scott Martin, vice president and head of investor relationships for FPFI, stated in a news release. “[W]e have found other funding sources that will provide us with the financial backing necessary, at a lower cost of capital, to execute against our business plan.”

As a revenue-producing brand with increasingly high levels of consumer acceptance, Harvest Soul is expected to play a key role in FPFI’s ongoing efforts to maximize shareholder value. In addition to providing the company with a foothold in the organic products industry, which grew by more than 11 percent last year, accounting for more than $39 billion in total sales, FPFI’s subsidiary is expected to become a very attractive acquisition target as it continues to gain market share.

In August, investors were given a preview of the potential of this aggressive growth strategy when The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) announced its entry into the organic juice niche through the acquisition of a minority stake in Suja Life LLC for roughly $90 million. The move was seen as an effort to counteract slowing soda sales resulting from the growing shift in consumer preference toward healthier food and beverage options. Over the next 16 months, FPFI plans to continue expanding the Harvest Soul family of brands into new markets and channels with the goal of replicating this success.

For more information, visit www.freshpromisefoods.com

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Matinas Biopharma Holdings is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of safe and effective broad spectrum antifungal and anti-bacterial therapeutics for the treatment of serious and life-threatening infections. The company’s proprietary, disruptive technology utilizes lipid-crystal nano-particle cochleate to nano-encapsulate existing drugs, making them safer, more tolerable, less toxic and orally available. Matinas’s lead drug candidate, MAT2203, is an orally administered, encochleated formulation of amphotericin B, an antifungal drug currently used intravenously to treat a variety of fungal infections.

Last month, Matinas took a significant step in the development of MAT2203 when it announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had designated the candidate as a qualified infectious disease product (QIDP) with fast track status. These designations make the candidate eligible for priority review and expedited development processes in the future, as well as providing up to five years of additional marketing exclusivity following FDA approval.

In a phase IA clinical study, MAT2203 demonstrated a positive safety and tolerability profile with no serious or dose-related adverse events reported. In collaboration with the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, the company plans to commence a phase IIA clinical study of MAT2203 in patients with refractory mucocutaneous candidiasis in the coming weeks.

“While the antifungal amphotericin B has demonstrated little or no resistance in clinical practice, it currently has limited treatment use in fungal infections due to severe toxicity issues,” Roelof Rongen, president and chief executive officer of Matinas, stated in a news release. “We believe MAT2203 has the potential to bring a much needed effective, broad-spectrum and significantly less toxic antifungal to at-risk patients with invasive and resistant fungal infections.”

In addition to MAT2203, Matinas’s development pipeline includes MAT2501, an orally-administered formulation of amikacin currently being developed for the treatment of gram-negative and intracellular bacterial infections; and MAT9001, a prescription-only omega-3 fatty acid-based composition being developed for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia.

Through the utilization of its proprietary lipid-crystal nano-particle cochleate formulation technology, Matinas is in a favorable strategic position to become a leader in the safe and effective delivery of anti-infective therapies. Look for the company to continue leaning on the cumulative multi-decade pharmaceutical development and commercialization experience of its management team in order to make continued strides toward the commercialization of its promising developmental candidates.

For more information, visit www.matinasbiopharma.com

In recent years, consumer preference has shifted toward healthier, organic dining options, and the market has experienced rapid growth as a result. According to the Organic Trade Association, total sales of organic products in the United States surpassed $39 billion last year, marking an increase of more than 11 percent over 2013. As the use of synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers has increasingly drawn the ire of educated consumers around the country, a substantial opportunity for restaurants that provide high-end, organic food has emerged. Giggles N’ Hugs, Inc. (OTCQB: GIGL), through its innovative chain of family-friendly restaurants, has capitalized on this opportunity, recording steady financial growth while making preparations to expand its unique concept into viable markets around the nation.

In the second quarter of 2015, the company built on its recent results by recording a year-over-year increase in net sales. In particular, GIGL realized a 3.4 percent increase in private party rental revenues, recording more than $451,000 for the period, and posted a 5.5 percent year-over-year increase in net sales at its location in Glendale, California. Bolstered by this performance, GIGL is currently in negotiations with major mall owners around the country – including General Growth Properties (NYSE: GGP), Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG) and Westfield Group (OTC: WEFIF) – to move forward with the opening of additional locations in the near future.

Last month, the company provided an update on its negotiations, which are focused on expanding its footprint along the West Coast. Initially, GIGL will target five properties in markets that include Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego and Orange County, but it has also indicated plans to expand to dozens of location in key markets moving forward, providing an opportunity to leverage a unique strategic advantage in areas with more diverse weather conditions.

“When it rains, which has not happened a lot here in Los Angeles, people tend to come indoors to Giggles N’ Hugs to play rather than go to the park or other outdoor spaces,” Joey Parsi, chief executive officer of GIGL, stated in a news release. “This unique aspect of our business should produce higher revenues and profit margins in markets like San Francisco and Seattle, driving strong shareholder value growth as we move forward with our expansion.”

GIGL is in a strong strategic position to continue building upon the success of its proven business model in the months to come as it continues to progress toward replicating the success of its first three locations in key markets around the country.

For more information, visit www.gigglesnhugs.com

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The Aristocrat Group Corp. (ASCC) has discovered a promised trend extending across the United States: top-shelf spirits are becoming the desired choice for cocktail enthusiasts. Within this sphere of American consumers favoring premium liquor and craft cocktails prepared by mixologists, ASCC is motivated to expand distribution of its ultra-premium distilled spirit, RWB Vodka.

With RWB Vodka, ASCC is well-placed to take advantage of the swell of interest in top-quality spirits. Handcrafted, American-made RWB Vodka is made with the highest-quality Idaho potatoes and pure Rocky Mountain spring water and then refined by a five-stage filtration system that produces a gluten-free high-class vodka without the high-class price. Each box of RWB Vodka also contains 1.75 liters—more than double the amount inside traditional 750 ml bottles—without taking up more space.

U.S. consumers can purchase ASCC’s ultra-premium vodka online and at many retail locations, clubs, bars and restaurants. The company’s sales and distribution efforts will also keep growing as word of mouth continues to spread about RWB’s premium flavor and smooth finish. For example, once RWB Vodka is paired with a new, unique, groundbreaking packaging that transforms it into Big Box Vodka, plans call for it to be debuted in the summer of 2015 at retail outlets in California, Nevada, Florida, Louisiana and Texas. Together, these locations represent a major population of more than 90 million people and nearly 30 percent of the total U.S. population.

From its base in Miramar Beach, Florida, the Aristocrat Group Corp. pinpoints and promotes unique brands that have mass market appeal across varied demographics. Premium luxury goods are cornerstones of ASCC’s brand management. The company has especially turned its focus on the growing market for quality domestic spirits as a way to deliver maximum returns to its shareholders. ASCC is building a portfolio of brands in order to benefit from record new brand-building opportunities and to compete in this highly-profitable space alongside companies like LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

For more information, visit www.aristocratgroupcorp.com

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GrowBLOX Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company with cutting-edge technologies in plant biology and cultivation designed to produce consistent medicinal cannabis, today named former Nevada State Senator Sandra Tiffany as general manager of GB Sciences Nevada, LLC.

During her 14 years in the legislature, Tiffany held numerous leadership roles and authored key “game changing” legislation. She has been honored in her community and served on a number of boards and non-profit advisory boards. Specifically relative to GrowBLOX operations, Tiffany was in office when Nevada voters approved the “Medical Marijuana Act.”

Tiffany also has an extensive history as an entrepreneur. Before the age of 30 she established her first company, Computer Methods Inc., in which Tiffany developed and marketed a system for nuclear medicine image processing. She then parlayed that success by joining Intergraph, a computer-aided design and engineering Fortune 500 firm. During Tiffany’s 35 years of business experience, she created and managed her own companies that vary from an Internet café to government affairs.

For the last 11 years, Tiffany has been involved in the payment processing area, and has developed a large client list and built extensive relationships with local and national financial communities.

GrowBLOX anticipates that Tiffany’s combined experiences will be a valued and complementary fit for the company’s growth goals.

Craig Ellins, chief executive officer of GrowBLOX Sciences, in the news release stated, “We expect former Senator Tiffany to play a key role as we move GrowBLOX Sciences from the developmental stage to one of commercial success. We believe that the important development of true medicine will be based on our advanced technology and superior products.”

Likewise, Tiffany noted her pleasure at working with the GrowBLOX team to advance its cannabis cultivation technologies.

“I am excited to join GrowBLOX Sciences, having long admired their commitment to the careful scientific study of the cannabis plant and by the opportunity to work with my longtime friend Craig Ellins,” she said.

For more information visit www.growblox.com

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On the Move Systems, a company pursuing new online tools to reduce costs and increase convenience in the tourism and travel industry, as well as new opportunities in trucking, this morning said it is exploring the possibility of developing partnerships with small and mid-market online retailers for exclusive use of its proposed on-demand courier service.

Similar to a recently signed deal between Hilton Hotels and Uber, under which hotel guests will use Hilton’s HHonors mobile app to request Uber rides, OMVS is considering offering a joint shared economy partnership with small and mid-market online retailers. This partnership model will enable retailers to utilize OMVS’s courier system as a faster and more cost-effective delivery option than national shipping companies such as FedEx (NYSE: FDX), UPS (NYSE: UPS) and DHL.

“Hilton’s deal with Uber shows the shared economy business model has been truly accepted and embraced by America’s top corporations,” OMVS CEO Robert Wilson stated in the news release. “This will open the door for other on-demand services, such as our courier business, to approach established companies and have credibility in the marketplace. We’re proposing small and mid-market online retailers partner with us as their courier service, giving them additional delivery channels to cut delivery times, satisfy customers and provide cost-effective last-mile solutions.”

OMVS’s possible entrance into the small specialty stores and e-commerce retailer sector, a market estimated at $39 billion, would provide the company an opportunity to carve a solid niche in an arena dominated by giants such as Amazon (NASDAQ: AMN) and Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT). Collectively, smaller industry players have grown combined annual web sales an impressive 14.4 percent, a rate only 1 percent below that of the biggest competitors in the market.

For more information visit www.onthemovesystems.com

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