In an effort to expand upon the current market penetration of its ViewScan weapons detection system, View Systems, Inc. (OTC: VSYM) is in ongoing discussions with three firms regarding the potential of a future acquisition or merger. According to a recent press release, the company has received a letter of intent from multiple candidates, with the latest coming from a profitable, privately owned business with annual revenue of $7 million.

“We are actively reviewing [merger and acquisition] candidates and are working through careful due diligence with each company in consideration,” Gunther Than, chief executive officer of View Systems, stated in a news release. “Finding and moving forward with an M&A isn’t an exit from our current focus of operations, but rather a strategic path toward larger market penetration with our ViewScan product.”

The company’s management team has continued to highlight the importance of shareholder interest throughout its merger and acquisition discussions. Following thorough due diligence, it was decided that the previously announced merger with Potomac River Group LLC (PRG) would “take away from the impact… expected from an ideal merger/acquisition partner.”

“We are highly focused on acquiring or merging with someone to take ViewScan to [a] higher level, but we do so while keeping shareholder interest at the absolute forefront of our progression,” continued Than.

While View Systems continues to search for a partner, the company remains diligent in its efforts to increase shareholder value through the installation of its proprietary ViewScan systems. In June, the company highlighted this progress through a news release detailing recent installations in banks, police stations and schools throughout Michigan, Texas and California. This expanding national presence should give the company improved access to the massive global security industry, which has been one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global economy for nearly a decade. By leveraging the advantages that the ViewScan system boasts over ordinary metal detectors – including accelerated threat detection, reduced false positives and facial identification capabilities – View Systems is in a favorable strategic position to build on its recent growth moving forward.

For prospective investors, the diligence shown by the company’s management team is a promising indication of its strong market potential. Look for View Systems to continue leaning on this expertise in order to maximize shareholder value in the months to come. As the search for an ideal merger/acquisition partner continues, the overall marketability and expanding industry presence of the innovative ViewScan system should provide a platform for sustainable financial growth.

For more information, visit www.viewsystems.com

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The U.S. cannabis sector continues gaining momentum, with numerous major milestones emerging in recent months, including the first television ad in history that was set to air in July from vape pen maker Neos, on Denver ABC affiliate KMGH in the state which has led the charge on marijuana reform, Colorado. Originally scheduled to appear just before the million plus (Nielsen) viewer “Jimmy Kimmel Live” program, this landmark event, which was aborted at the last second due to federal level concerns despite the spot adhering to all requisite protocols, characterizes just how fast and how far the industry has come. Even though the spot was pulled, it clearly demonstrates a “camel’s nose under the tent” moment for cannabis sector marketing and takes its place in the history books alongside other key milestones, such as the recent signing of a compassionate use law in traditionally conservative Texas by Governor Greg Abbott. The new Texas law allows the medical use of low-THC cannabis by patients such as children with crippling epileptic conditions like Dravet syndrome.

Colorado is the tip of the spear in many respects for this yet nascent industry, having generated a whopping $250 million plus in sales and bringing in $62 million in tax revenues during its first year of recreational legality, 72 percent higher tax receipts than initially projected, a feat due in large part to the state’s recreational use market boom. In Oregon, where Governor Kate Brown signed a law last month officially allowing existing medical marijuana dispensaries to begin selling recreational cannabis three months ahead of schedule, leading industry analysts at Arcview Market Research have projected first-year retail sales in the neighborhood of $200 million, with excise taxes in excess of $20 million. With tax receipts like these and public sentiment at a record high of 53 percent approval for decriminalization and rising, according to recent polls by both CBS News and Pew Research Center, it is little wonder that other states are racing to pass similar reforms.

The groundswell of popular support and juicy tax revenues have created massive opportunities for smaller companies looking to innovate within the sector and offer various operators access to technologies and services that can help their businesses prosper. With 74 percent sales growth nationwide between 2013 and 2014 alone, the roughly $2.7 billion 2014 U.S. market for cannabis, as well as cannabis based products like low-THC cannabidiol oil, and MIPs (marijuana-infused products) such as beverages and other edibles, is estimated by Arcview as potentially climbing to upwards of $40 billion by 2020, making it larger than the NFL or the entire organic food industry.

This is why a company like full-spectrum property management, construction and finance outfit Cherubim Interests (OTC: CHIT), which hitherto has been squarely focused on leveraging the company’s deep bench of experienced managers to do single and multifamily real estate development, management, and investment, has chosen to strike while the iron is hot, and throw its hat into the cannabis sector ring. Having obtained an exclusive worldwide license to a proprietary, portable, easily scalable and self-contained cultivation system developed by Victura Construction Group (OTC: VICT), a holding company focused on acquiring businesses in the disaster recovery and restoration construction markets, Cherubim has set about deploying this complete turnkey cultivation system to cannabis sector producers.

Able to provide an optimum grow environment for producing high-value cannabis strains, the BudCube Cultivation System (BCS), marketed via CHIT’s wholly-owned BudCube Cultivation Systems USA subsidiary, gives new market entrants and established growers alike an easily approachable and scalable leasing option that allows them to grow year round, while substantially bypassing the need for land, facility construction, or existing site renovation. Whether the grower is a small start-up operation, or a large and experienced entity, the BCS units provide a cost-effective basic component to model an entire grow op on. Directly addressing many of the bottom line-sapping issues that typically hamper large outdoor and indoor grow ops, like the costs and logistical complexities associated with pests (which include increasingly stringent end product pesticide content evaluations), controlled agricultural environment technology like the BCS represents a logical evolution for a production-centric industry that is focused on maximizing yields of high-purity, high-potency strains. Delimiting lost inputs due to crop failure elements and preserving the genetic purity of identified high-value strains is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the advantages such controlled agricultural environment solutions can provide.

According to Cherubim’s CEO, Patrick Johnson, the company has been patiently doing its due diligence and eyeing the sector for an opportune entry point. Now, as more and more states move to pass reform laws, and it seems inevitable that the North American market as a whole has nowhere to go but forward, the time has come for controlled environment agriculture solutions like the BCS. Leasing high-quality, yet cost-effective units to growers is a classic facilitator play that allows the company to sidestep extant legal constraints and challenges the cannabis industry continues to face. This strategy enables CHIT to profit off already-licensed operators in states and jurisdictions where medical and recreational cannabis is legal, without experiencing the associated overhead factors faced by growers, dispensaries and testing agencies.

The old adage about selling picks and shovels during the Gold Rush era comes to mind and CHIT is clearly looking to do the same thing with the “Green Rush,” acting as a cannabis sector facilitator and hardware provider. This aspect of the company’s operation will act as a strong revenue driver for its soup-to-nuts real estate development activities, providing the company with the kind of capital required to keep the real estate project and property acquisition/development end of things handily on track.

For more information, visit http://CHIT.QualityStocks.net

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Since opening its first location in Southern California in 2008, Giggles N’ Hugs, Inc. (OTCQB: GIGL) has promoted strong growth through its innovative combination of high-end, organic food and cutting-edge entertainment for children. The company currently operates three unique locations throughout the Greater Los Angeles area and continued expansion appears to be on the horizon. Last week, GIGL announced that it was in active negotiations with several of the country’s largest mall owners – including General Growth Properties (NYSE: GGP), Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG) and Westfield Group (OTC: WEFIF) – targeted at the company’s eventual expansion into key national markets.

“We’re very excited to enter our next phase of operations and to begin replicating the success we’ve experienced with our first three locations in Los Angeles,” Joey Parsi, founder and chief executive officer of GIGL, stated in a news release. “While we’re doing great in Southern California, where we’re known for our warm weather and sunny climate, we anticipate our results will be even better in markets where the weather is often less than ideal.”

The company’s current negotiations are initially focused on the development of five properties along the west coast in viable markets such as Seattle, San Francisco and San Diego. To date, GIGL has received lease terms for the proposed properties, which will be similar in size to its current locations. Potential locations in Seattle and San Francisco, in particular, have the company’s management team predicting sustainable growth in the years to come. GIGL expects to benefit from the rainy weather conditions often present in these markets by producing higher revenue and profit margins while driving increased shareholder value.

In addition to these expansion efforts, GIGL continues to progress toward the impending launch of its franchising initiative. In July, the company highlighted the growing demand for franchise opportunities received from large multi-unit franchising operators and small individual franchisees in both domestic and international markets. Margins from these franchise operations are expected to be above 25 percent, providing an opportunity for significant financial growth. Although GIGL has yet to release plans to capitalize on this interest, the company’s entry into the franchising arena could be ready for launch “very soon,” according to Philip Gay, chief development officer of GIGL.
GIGL’s progress toward expanding on the early success of its innovative family-friendly restaurant concept makes the company an intriguing investment opportunity moving forward. Look for GIGL to leverage its growing national brand recognition in order to promote strong returns for the foreseeable future.

For more information, visit www.gigglesnhugs.com/investor-relations/

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GrowBLOX Sciences (“GB Sciences”) is a nature-inspired company employing a novel approach toward cannabis-based medicine. The company is focused on offering a turnkey business solution: transforming cannabis into safe and consistent medicine.

GB Sciences’ focus is on the research of indoor agriculture technology for the medical cannabis industry. The company merges state-of-the-art technologies in plant biology, cultivation and post-production processes in order to optimize safe, consistent medical cannabis. In doing so, the company is also pioneering technology, industry-leading processes, and a big data-driven clinical research and development algorithm in order to bring relief to patients in communities across the country.

As part of its efforts to lock in industry standards, GB Sciences is developing a comprehensive line of highly effective cannabis-based therapies ranging from custom medical compounds to consumer health and beauty products. GB Sciences’ cultivation methodology ensures a consistent ratio of the plant’s medicinal properties for each and every harvest. This is a critical factor when creating formulations for standardized therapeutic products.

GB Sciences’ drug development program also endeavors to unlock the path to drug discovery and to provide novel cannabinoid therapies to patients with critically unmet needs. The company is developing the GrowBLOX system, a proprietary technology that allows for controlled growing conditions for the manufacture of toxin-free, natural, and medicinal-grade cannabis and cannabis concentrates. Starting with certified, cannabis plant-derived ingredients from the GrowBLOX technology suite, GB Sciences tests proprietary ratios of active ingredients in an accelerated drug development program. It also focuses on the research, testing and development of FDA-approved medical treatments and nutraceuticals using extracts from the cannabis sativa plant.

GrowBLOX Sciences is gearing up to cultivate the medical cannabis industry in new ways. The company’s science and research efforts power discovery, its engineering and design activities bring ideas into the real world, and its big data methodology drives continuous improvement.

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

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According to the latest data from TechNavio and the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, the growing popularity of the fantasy sports market will remain strong for the foreseeable future. With a 36.9 percent year-over-year growth in the player base to around 56.8 million as of 2015, buoyed by a projected CAGR of roughly 10.32 percent through 2019, fantasy sports are quickly becoming a major attraction in their own right. The demographics of the core market are also choice, with 66 percent of players being men, the average player age being 37, 57 percent of players possessing a college degree or higher, and more than 47 percent of the players having a household income in excess of $75,000 a year.

Another major contributing factor to the growth of the market is how, despite the continued spread of other types of gambling across the U.S., from casinos to lotteries, sports betting has continued to be isolated to either Las Vegas or niches like horse racing. Because fantasy sports exist in an area protected by Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 exemption, they are the perfect way for people to scratch the gambling itch and win big money, actually leveraging their knowledge of the players and their favorite sport in order to succeed, rather than merely trying to court Lady Luck. This factor is key to the rapid growth of fantasy sports, as it has opened up a massive, untapped small-stakes market for companies like FanDuel and DraftKings, which offer players the chance to draft a hypothetical team and compete against others online for big prizes, like the $2 million first-prize awarded at the fifth annual FanDuel Fantasy Football Championship earlier this year.

Always zealous NFL (National Football League) diehards are driving this booming industry and make up more than 73 percent of daily fantasy sports players. An ideal market to focus on, due to the fan’s insatiable demand for content, dedication to the sport, and willingness to spend. The action doesn’t stop at football either, every major sports league in the country has its own daily fantasy sports market, and with an average annual spend of around $465 per player, the aggregate space is now estimated to be worth an enticing $26.4 billion dollars.

Even tech and search giant Yahoo (NASDDAQ: YHOO) is getting into the game, with a bid to become one of the top providers of daily and one-week (where the fantasy season runs for a week rather than over the course of a single day) fantasy sports having been announced last month. Yahoo will reportedly start off with a focus on the largely underserved MLB (Major League Baseball) crowd, before advancing its own platform into other areas. Small-stakes plus big scale means potentially huge returns for companies who can successfully establish themselves in this thriving sector and that’s why Latitude 360, Inc. (OTCQB: LATX) – the owner/operator of a growing footprint of upscale 35,000 to 85,000 sq. ft. venues combining full service dining with an extremely wide variety of entertainment options that appeal to the largest number of consumers and corporate clients – is also putting down roots, with its recent partnership and pending acquisition of sector up-and-comer, Major League Fantasy (MLF) (www.playmlf.com).

Since launching in November last year, MLF has seen extraordinary growth, with numerous players flocking to the platform. Driven by the choice between daily, weekly, and full-season contests spanning every major sports category, the MLF player base is growing by leaps and bounds, making MLF a serious contender for becoming the top daily fantasy sports gaming network in the country. Recent partnership deals with NBA World Champs, the Oakland-based Golden State Warriors, a broader independent endorsement deal with top Warriors player Draymond Green, as well as a partnership agreement with star NFL wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, Julio Jones, are a major testament to how savvy LATX is when it comes to connecting with the fantasy sports gaming community. And the Jones agreement positions the company nicely for the roll out of its planned Latitude 360 locations in Alabama and Georgia.

The MLF acquisition makes Latitude 360 the first such operation to offer customers live, in-venue fantasy sports books, and the platform put together by MLF is sure to continue successfully winning over new players in the same manner that it has been. With a player base that more than tripled over May and June this year on the strength of tight social integration and a finely-crafted overall user experience, MLF is reckoned by many to be second to none in the space today.

This newest feature is but the latest attraction to find itself among Latitude 360’s “360 Experience” suite of offerings, available at the company’s award-winning multi-dimensional entertainment eateries. A suite of offerings which runs the gamut from full service dine-in movies and upscale casual dining with a full bar, to ultra-modern bowling lanes and ticket redemption interactive gaming. Also among the entertainment options at Latitude 360 are live local comedy acts, music and DJ’s, as well as luxury cigar lounges, a Las Vegas-style live entertainment theatre, and now the 360 Fantasy LIVE fantasy sports book.

360 Fantasy LIVE is a superb addition to an already compelling broad-spectrum entertainment venue approach, as it dovetails exceptionally well with the existing amenities, such as the numerous HD screens available in the bar areas, and the state-of-the-art HD Sports Theater, where fans can follow the latest action while enjoying full service dining options.

Take a closer look by visiting http://latitude360.com

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Harrison, Vickers & Waterman, Inc., following its April acquisition of Attitude Beer Holdings Co., recently shifted its business focus toward the rapidly expanding craft beer industry. The company’s new subsidiary specializes in the development of World of Beer franchised locations in the state of Connecticut, as well as the Greater Boston area. Together with New England World of Beer LLC, which currently holds franchise rights for the company’s target region, HVCW is utilizing an aggressive growth strategy in order to maximize its market presence. In addition to its 4,000 square foot tavern in West Hartford, Connecticut – which was opened in January – the company has announced plans for a pair of new World of Beer locations in Milford, Connecticut, and Greater Boston that are currently scheduled to begin construction in the coming months.

“These new locations for World of Beer taverns in Boston and Milford demonstrate our ongoing progress and the actions being taken to implement our joint venture with New England World of Beer,” Roy Warren, chief executive officer of HVCW, stated in a news release. “Our West Hartford location has proven to us that the enlarged tavern fare, along with the unique experience and wide variety of craft beer and other beverages, has a dominant place in this industry and is delivering sales and earnings beyond our expectations.”

When completed, HVCW will assume a 51 percent interest in the new World of Beer locations, while the company’s joint venture partner, New England World of Beer, will retain a 49 percent interest. Moving forward, this arrangement is expected to provide an opportunity to achieve considerable financial growth as the craft beer industry continues to expand.

According to the Brewers Association, the domestic craft beer industry – led by the performance of major market players such as Boston Beer (NYSE: SAM) and Craft Brew Alliance (NASDAQ: BREW) – has averaged annual growth of 10.9 percent over the last decade. In 2014, the industry accounted for approximately $19.6 billion in revenues, representing nearly 20 percent of the country’s total beer market.

For HVCW, this strong market performance could provide an excellent platform upon which to promote sustainable returns in the years to come. Look for the company to continue capitalizing on the expanding industry recognition of the World of Beer brand in order to stimulate continued market growth for the foreseeable future.

For more information, visit www.hvandw.com

Comstock Resources is a growing independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, development, production and exploration of oil and natural gas properties. As of December 31, 2014, the company owned interests in nearly 1,600 producing wells with an estimated 620 BCFE in proven reserves. In recent months, the substantial decline of oil and natural gas prices has resulted in a considerable decline in revenues for the entire industry, with major players such as Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) and Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) reporting year-over-year earnings decreases of more than 50 percent for the first six months of 2015. However, Comstock’s strong production figures during the first half of the year – including approximately 1.96 million barrels of oil and 19.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas – continue to demonstrate the company’s immense growth potential when commodity prices begin to recover.

In 2014, Comstock’s Eagle Ford shale horizontal well drilling program in East Texas served as a driver for the company’s considerable production growth. In total, the company successfully increased its oil production figures by 86 percent, adding 5.1 million barrels of oil and 5 billion cubic feet of natural gas to its proven reserves. During the second quarter of 2015, Comstock prepared to build on this progress through the completion of four additional horizontal wells on the property, effectively increasing its production capacity ahead of forecast rises in oil and natural gas prices in the months to come.

In July, the company took steps toward securing the financial flexibility needed to continue developing its most promising properties. In particular, Comstock entered into a definitive purchase and sale agreement to sell its properties in and around Burleson County, Texas, for approximately $115 million. Upon closing, this transfer will provide the company with the fiscal means to fund additional drilling programs at its Eagle Ford property while maintaining the flexibility required to capitalize on additional strategic opportunities.

“This sale strengthens our balance sheet by providing us with an opportunity to further improve our liquidity during a period of low oil and natural gas prices,” M. Jay Allison, chief executive officer of Comstock, stated in a news release.

Despite less-than-favorable market conditions, Comstock has made strong progress in recent months toward preparing for future growth. Look for the company to continue focusing primarily on site development work moving forward, providing a strong platform upon which to capitalize on recovering commodity prices in the future.

For more information, visit www.crkfrisco.com

While oil prices have hovered near six-year lows for the majority of 2015, ENGlobal Corporation (NASDAQ: ENG) has continued to leverage the considerable industry experience of its management team to promote strong financial results. Last week, the company demonstrated the versatility and marketability of its offerings when it announced that the second quarter of 2015 marked its sixth consecutive quarter of profitability.

“We are pleased to report today’s profitable results – which I’m proud to say represent six consecutive profitable quarters,” Mark Hess, chief financial officer of ENGlobal, stated in a news release. “ENGlobal’s profit margins remain respectable given the current environment, and our available capital has improved over the last year.”

In an effort to counteract the effects of slumping oil and gas prices, ENGlobal’s management expertly adjusted the margins of its engineering and construction operations in the second quarter. In addition to decreasing gross profit margin by 2.5 percent, as compared to the previous year, the company’s operating profit margin was reduced by 0.6 percent. These adjustments allowed ENGlobal to remain competitive in less-than-ideal market conditions, effectively promoting growth despite substantial industry limitations.

Following the release of its financial results for the second quarter, this strategy proved to be effective. For the period, ENGlobal achieved a mild year-over-year increase in total revenue for its engineering and construction segment, which serves a collection of energy sectors adversely affected by the recent fall in commodity prices. In an effort to capitalize on this progress, the company has recently turned its attention toward broadening its industry presence through the development of new partnerships and the exploration of potential acquisition candidates.

“ENGlobal’s response to the current energy marketplace has been to increase our efforts in developing new business,” stated William Coskey, P.E., chairman and chief executive officer of ENGlobal. “While we are excited about several new opportunities and client relationships that this internal process has produced, it also appears to be a great time to consider strategic acquisitions.”

According to the its latest financial report, the company has a healthy cash balance and working capital of approximately $25.4 million. Additionally, ENGlobal reports no borrowings under its current credit facility. The flexibility provided by this strong balance sheet will prove instrumental to the company’s growth efforts moving forward, particularly as related to any acquisition agreements that may be in the cards.

For prospective shareholders, ENGlobal’s financial performance despite slumping commodity prices is a promising indication of its market potential in the coming months. Look for the company to continue relying on the considerable expertise of its leadership team – which includes well over a century of combined industry experience – in order to continue successfully navigating prevailing market conditions and promoting sustained profitability for the foreseeable future.

For more information, visit www.englobal.com

Save the World Air, Inc. is enhancing its focus on improving operational efficiencies for the global energy infrastructure, and, in an effort to better reflect this updated strategy to potential clients and investors, has changed its name to QS Energy, Inc. (OTCQX: QSEP). Moving forward, the company will look to capitalize on the realignment currently impacting the energy sector by solidifying its position as a leading developer of technology for the efficient and safe transport of petroleum products.

“Our new corporate identity, QS Energy, Inc., and new stock symbol, QSEP, more effectively represent this exciting new phase of the company’s growth trajectory,” Greggory Bigger, chairman and chief executive officer of QS Energy, stated in a news release. “QS refers to ‘quick strike,’ a philosophy that has become fundamental to our strategy on both fronts as we move from the lab to the field with our existing product portfolio, and pursue accretive and synergistic acquisitions.”

QS Energy’s current portfolio includes two proprietary technology offerings aimed at the oil pipeline industry – Applied Oil Technology™ (AOT) and Joule Heat™. AOT is a patent-protected hardware system designed to reduce the viscosity of crude oil transported via pipeline. In extensive laboratory testing, AOT demonstrated a collection of benefits including increased flow rates, lower pump station power consumption and improved safety margins. The company’s second product, Joule Heat, is designed to increase the internal temperature of pipelines through the use of electric current. Unlike currently available trace heating systems, QS Energy’s groundbreaking system increases oil temperature uniformly without interrupting flow. The company continues to make great strides toward the impending commercialization of both products.

In addition to marketing its technology, QS Energy has initiated an aggressive mergers and acquisitions strategy designed to capitalize on the recent drop in oil prices. QS Energy Pool, the company’s special purpose vehicle, was created to identify and acquire drastically undervalued assets with overleveraged balance sheets and significant degrees of costly debt. Although these firms often have excellent producing assets and solid cash flow, low commodity prices have many of them unable to continue operations. QS Energy Pool will look to acquire these failing firms, providing an opportunity to realize immediate increases in revenue generation in the short-term.

“QS Energy’s dual growth strategy is to deploy its flow assurance solutions globally and to acquire undervalued operating companies, technologies and oil and gas assets,” continued Bigger. “Our [mergers and acquisitions] plan was enacted to provide income and revenue that is synergistic with our current operations.”

While many exploration and production firms are struggling to cope with slumping oil prices – including industry giants such as Chevron Corp (NYSE: CVX) and BP PLC (NYSE: BP) – QS Energy, through its revitalized growth strategy, is set to begin a new chapter. Look for the company to make accelerated progress toward the commercialization of its innovative product portfolio while supplementing shareholder value through the acquisition of complementary entities in the months to come.

For more information, visit www.qsenergy.com