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Been here since Friday. Bought $3 options.
"Tanker Companies Ramp Up..."
https://seekingalpha.com/news/3562338-tanker-companies-ramp-up-crude-held-in-sea-storage-hits-new-record
STNG winner of the day for me.
NBEV (1.57) often moves when it has early volume. It has early volume.
LLNW: not sure why pps fell $1 Friday, but I bought some $6 Calls.
Favorite? I'm liking STNG.
Anyone playing any tanker stocks?
Looking at STNG, EURN, INSW, DHT.
All that extra oil has to be sitting somewhere.
My pockets are full of APHA $3 options.
Yup, -04 was the forecast.
NBEV Boom!!! Anyone know why?
NOK: Fins report from Thursday
Nokia Enjoys Q4 Beat
Nokia Corporation's (NYSE:NOK) shares surged in early trade on Thursday, as the company posted better-than-expected numbers for the fourth quarter.
The Finnish telecom equipment maker reported earnings of 16 cents U.S. per share, up 15.3% compared to the similar quarter last year. Analysts had estimated the investors to comparable net earnings per share as last year.
Nokia reported a quarterly profit of $1.24 billion, up 1% year-on-year, and beating analyst estimates by 3.67%.
EPS for the financial year 2019 came at 24 cents and operating profit at $2.2 billion.
According to CEO Rajeev Suri, "Nokia's fourth-quarter 2019 results were a strong end to a challenging year. We saw strength in many parts of our business in the quarter, delivered a slightly better operating profit than the same period in 2018, generated solid free cash flow, and increased our net cash balance to EUR 1.7 billion.
"While I believe that 2020 will present its share of challenges, I am confident that we are taking the right steps to deliver progressive improvement over the course of this year and to position us for a stronger 2021."
Nokia turned heads in January with news of a 5G deal with Orange France, one of Europe's biggest operators.
It's an end-to-end deal that includes Single Radio Access Network tech, advanced automation, network management and related services.
NOK shares opened trade Thursday down four cents, or 1.1%, to $3.98.
News Provided by Baystreet via QuoteMedia
Bought RCL calls Friday and adding tomorrow.
Three ships involved with virus. CCL's, with lots of sick passengers, off coast of Japan. However, RCL's is in much better shape. https://www.phillyvoice.com/four-passengers-royal-caribbean-cruise-ship-nj-coronavirus/
Me, too, eom7. Same calls. Also bought ERIC.
Me, too, eom7. Same calls. Also bought ERIC.
NOK and ERIC on Barr comments.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/nokia-ericsson-shares-rise-after-u-s-floats-investment-idea-to-counter-huawei-11581075842
Yeah, bought it late yesterday and posted as an after thought. These critters don't give you much time to breathe, let alone post!
GILD. That was sweet!
Think I'm beginning to catch on to OptionLand. Little bit addictive, though, MWM.
Back in GILD after fins. Love this news.
"China wants to patent Gilead's experimental coronavirus drug
Bloomberg News"
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/china-wants-to-patent-gileads-experimental-coronavirus-drug/ar-BBZFgcZ
Rode SQ on way up Monday. Left it for you on the way down.
How Pharma will soon use Blockchain to track your drugs.
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3439843/how-pharma-will-soon-use-blockchain-to-track-your-drugs.html
TTTSF (.083): TruTrace Technologies Provides Corporate Strategy Update
7:00 AM ET 1/14/20 | Dow Jones
January 14, 2020 -- (TruTrace Technologies) --
(TheNewswire)Company plans to build on proven successes with entry into international markets, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical verticals
Toronto - TheNewswire -January 14, 2020 - TruTrace Technologies Inc. (CNSX:TTT.CN) (OTC:TTTSF) ("TruTrace" or the "Company"), creator of a fully-integrated blockchain platform that registers and tracks intellectual property for the cannabis industry, today provided an updated outlook for its corporate strategy and priorities for 2020. Highlights include a targeted expansion of the Company's StrainSecuretm traceability platform into the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical verticals, as well as entry into several international markets.
"The success of the medical cannabis verification pilot program has been tremendously important for us. It has validated our technology and begun to establish the StrainSecure platform as a potential de facto standard for quality assurance and traceability in the Canadian cannabis industry," said TruTrace Technologies CEO Robert Galarza. "We are currently focused and investing additional resources on transition of our platform into a fully operational ecosystem that could provide a revenue stream and in turn enable us to achieve cash-flow positive operations by the end of calendar year 2020, while also allowing us to pursue other exciting opportunities."
Mr. Galarza continued: "The technology we initially deployed in the medical cannabis sector is highly applicable in other verticals such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and even food safety, where it is equally important to have complete transparency on the origin and authenticity of products. In the next year we are aiming to establish a foothold in these sectors, as well as extend our footprint in cannabis traceability into several markets outside of Canada."
Key Accomplishments in Calendar 2019
TruTrace made significant progress in the execution of its business plan in 2019, highlighted by the following:
- By the close of 2019, TruTrace completed the first two phases of the medical cannabis verification pilot program (the "Pilot Program"), which is designed to increase transparency, interoperability and product identification within the medical cannabis industry.
- The first two phases of the Pilot Program also included the addition of several licensed producers and testing partners into the StrainSecure platform
. - Additionally, the development team enhanced the Company's technology, including meeting and incorporating the global traceability standards of GS1, furthering our partnership with Microsoft by utilizing their Azure solution for Canada, completing comprehensive modules to support laboratory management and dynamic quality assurance and finalizing APIs into several key technology partners. - Established relationships with customers and prospective partners in several international markets, as well as the pharmaceutical sector and the nutraceutical sector, with a view to ascertaining their unique needs and potentially adding them to the StrainSecure platform. - Finalized a strategic alliance with global giant Deloitte to combine TruTrace's technology with Deloitte's leadership in the cannabis space and to improve clients' ability to build trusted brands, ensure medical and recreational distributors and retailers receive accurate shipments, and provide consumers with confidence they are buying verified products from credible sources.
- Increased revenue and began to mitigate operational expenses as management was able to shift its focus from core product development to sales and account management.
Calendar 2020 Strategic Priorities
The Company's strategic priorities in 2020 include a planned expansion of its addressable market through the following initiatives:- Continue its execution of the StrainSecure medical cannabis traceability platform and advance the platform from POC to full operational implementation, thereby establishing a potential revenue stream to fund the Company's growth. - Deploy StrainSecure with an initial set of licensed producers in several rapidly growing international medical cannabis markets. - Advance several key strategic partnerships and alliances.
- Commencing business development initiatives with pharmaceutical and nutraceutical customers including utilization of the Company's traceability platform, adapted to meet specific requirements of these sectors.
The Company plans to provide updates throughout the year on the progress it makes towards achieving these strategic goals.
About TruTrace Technologies:
TruTrace Technologies has developed an integrated blockchain platform to register and track intellectual property in the cannabis industry. TruTrace's technology allows cannabis growers and breeders to identify and secure rights to their intellectual property. It also streamlines the administrative process and reduces the costs of genetic and mandatory quality-control testing for legal cannabis. TruTrace's technology is proprietary, immutable and cryptographically secure, thereby establishing an accurate and permanent account for cannabis strains from ownership to market.
For More Information:
Robert Galarza, Chief Executive Officer and Director, 844-656-3629. Investor Inquiries: Swapan Kakumanu, Chief Financial Officer, 844-656-3629, swapan@trutrace.co
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information
This news release includes forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of TruTrace, including statements regarding:
the expansion of the Company's StrainSecuretm traceability platform into the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical verticals, as well as entry into several international markets, and the applicability of the Company's technology to those sectors; the Company's aims to establish a foothold in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors, as well as extend its footprint in cannabis traceability into several markets outside of Canada; the transition of the Company's platform from POC into a fully operational ecosystem that will allow the Company to pursue other exciting opportunities; the establishment of the StrainSecure platform as the de facto standard for quality assurance and traceability in the Canadian cannabis industry; the advancement of the Pilot Program to full operational implementation; the advancement of several key strategic partnerships and alliances; the commencement of business development initiatives with pharmaceutical and nutraceutical customers including utilization of the Company's traceability platform, adapted to meet specific requirements of these sectors; and the Company's plans to provide updates throughout the year on the progress it makes towards achieving these strategic goals.
Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that it will prove to be correct and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Forward-looking information necessarily involves known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with: general economic conditions; adverse industry events; loss of markets; future legislative and regulatory developments in Canada, the United States, and elsewhere; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; and other risks beyond the Company's control. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information contained in this news release. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is provided as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.
This news release contains future-oriented financial information and financial outlook information (collectively, "FOFI") about the Company, all of which are subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations, and qualifications as set forth in the above paragraphs. FOFI contained in this news release was made as of the date of this news release and was provided for the purpose of providing further information about the Company's future business operations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any FOFI contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Investors are cautioned that the FOFI contained in this news release should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.
Copyright (c) 2020 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
> Dow Jones Newswires
January 14, 2020 07:00 ET (12:00 GMT)
And it's going sideways with some very sweet buys intermixed.
Here's a swing for the fences.
Bought FB 2/21 $275 for .08. Currently at .07.
KGKG (.072). Up nice from Monday's .0563.
Bought APHA 5.00's last week, added 5.50's today. Second options purchase. It's starting out good.
All kidding aside, did you bring presents?
All part of the joy of returning home.
Welcome home, PDC!
KGKG(.563) has started a nice reversal.
Yup. Been in and out of NIO a few times in the last year. Was going to buy just 100 shares at 1.67 right before Christmas and just happened to check the Option Chain. Price was .04. Said "Hell, 50 contracts are only $200." So, that was my very first option buy. Dumb luck!
Guess I gotta join the Option Gang over here. Bought my first one on a hunch a couple of weeks ago. NIO. $200 in, $2200 profit. Now I should probably learn how to play them!
Recent news for Akeso
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nxt-water-secures-golds-gym-so-cal-for-their-akeso-functional-fitness-water---along-with-their-exclusive-blockchain-backed-verification-qr-code-300969830.html
NXT Water Secures Gold's Gym So Cal for their AKESO Functional Fitness Water - Along with their Exclusive Blockchain Backed Verification QR Code
LAS VEGAS, Dec. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- NXT Water, the fastest growing entrant in the hemp-derived beverage space and the makers of Akeso, the ONLY 12mg Broad Spectrum, odorless, colorless, tasteless CBD water; continues to expand their growth in the Functional Beverage category. NXT Water has secured Gold's Gym Southern California as a strategic retail partner to carry Akeso Functional Fitness Water in the fitness capitol of the world.
NXT Water launched their cornerstone brand AKESO Functional Fitness Water in January to tremendous receptivity in the retail, fitness vertical. Akeso is also incorporating STRAINSECURE ® the developer of the first integrated blockchain platform that registers and tracks intellectual property for the cannabis industry – making Akeso the first-ever 100% fully verifiable food or beverage in the United States.
"My commitment is to provide every Gold's Gym member with the finest fitness experience possible," said Angel Banos, CEO of Gold's Gym Southern California. "Providing our members with on-premise access to groundbreaking products like Akeso is just another example of Gold's Gym forging new paths in personal fitness."
"We are truly excited about our relationship with Gold's Gym SoCal, the most iconic name in fitness," said Todd Waks CEO of NXT Water. "We believe that personal wellness is the #1 passion-point of every human being on the planet and hydration is its most essential component. Our water is built to assist people with their hydration and workout recovery to get them back in the gym without severe inflammation. In addition, we want every customer to know that Akeso has been tested by an approved, 3rd party Laboratory and that all of our results are 100% verifiable via our blockchain backed QR code prominently placed on each bottle," said Waks.
About NXT Water: Formed by seasoned executives from the beverage, entertainment and digital marketing verticals, NXT Water has created AKESO, the finest functional fitness water intended to significantly disrupt both the functional beverage industry as well as the burgeoning CBD industry projected to be over $20 Billion by 2024.
www.akesowater.com
About Gold's Gym: Gold's Gym claimed 691 clubs as of Dec. 31, 2018, 144 of which were corporate and 547 of which were franchised. The company is planning to open 30 franchised locations and enter the studio segment with group training concept Gold's Studio. www.goldsgymsocal.com
Disclaimer:
This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. There are no assurances for NXT Water. Although such forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws.
Media Contact:
Todd Waks
310-422-1537
230155@email4pr.com
SOURCE NXT Water
TTTSF's relationship with Shoppers Drug Mart could lead to pharmaceutical blockchain development, IMO.
"You are spot on. We founded TruTrace in the cannabis space because it was such an area of need and it is a space where innovation is being supported heavily. However, blockchain-enabled traceability which derives from testing data could work in any industry and we fully intend on exploring opportunities that are best suited for our software, albeit in due course, because we don’t want to spread ourselves too thin."
Another highlight: "We are working with about ten major producers with several others getting finalized. Although our focus has been in Canada throughout year one, we’re seeing some exciting momentum in South America and the US as well.
Liked this part. Wasn't aware of their relationship with NXT Water.
"... earlier this year we began working with NXT Water out of Los Angeles in the launch of their AKESO Hemp Derived Functional Fitness Water, which is in select stores and health clubs throughout Southern California. This relationship was actually born out of a blind test they performed on several leading CBD water products in the US market. They found most of the products fell well below the advertised amount of CBD, with some having none at all.
Alternatively, the AKESO product was consistently testing out at around 12 milligrams of broad-spectrum CBD per bottle and NXT wanted to find a way to communicate this to their customers. Hence, they turned to TruTrace and started using the StrainSecure platform. Today you can go into a market in California, pick up an AKESO, scan the verified StrainSecure QR code and see real-time testing data on the bottle you’re holding in your hand."
TTTSF:TruTrace’s blockchain-secured seed-to-sale cannabis tracking technology is a game-changer
https://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/909940/trutraces-blockchain-secured-seed-to-sale-cannabis-tracking-technology-is-a-game-changer-909940.html
Companies are flocking to the firm’s StrainSecure platform to track strains of medical cannabis and verify their authenticity
Trutrace Technologies Inc. - TruTrace’s blockchain-secured seed-to-sale cannabis tracking technology is a game-changer
CEO Robert Galarza says the firm’s platform streamlines the admin process, lowers costs related to genetic and quality-control testing for cannabis
TruTrace Technologies Inc (CSE:TTT) has developed the first blockchain-secured platform to track intellectual property for cannabis. It provides mandatory testing, DNA-based product validation, and product guarantees for patients and customers.
The Vancouver firm channels the power of blockchain to fix the grim realities of corrupted supply chains in the medical cannabis industry.
“It’s a combination of science, enterprise software, and blockchain technology,” said TruTrace Technologies CEO Robert Galarza. “By focusing on granular genetic, chemical and contaminant data, as well as motion and movement information and then merging that into a blockchain we are able to provide real-time data on each product being purchased.”
Galarza, a Renaissance man with tech credentials has a varied background. He’s been a corporate attorney, movie producer, advertising executive and entertainment lawyer. He’s even managed professional fighters and co-founded enterprise tech company Spark Digital Technologies.
WeedMD Inc (CVE:WMD) (OCTMKTS:WDDMF) and Harvest One Cannabis (CVE:HVT) (OTCMKTS:HRVOF) are big believers in TruTrace’s StrainSecure technology. WeedMD just saw 40 of its cannabis strains undergo validation as part of a pilot program. Other firms participating in the TruTrace and Shoppers Drug Mart medical cannabis verification pilot program include Aphria Inc (TSE:APHA), Aurora Cannabis Inc (TSE:ACB), The Flowr Corp, Tilray Canada Ltd (NASDAQ:TLRY), United Greeneries, and Zenabis Global.
The firm’s immutable, cryptographically secure technology is the brainchild of co-founder and chief technology officer Tommy Stephenson, who earlier developed enterprise software platforms for Microsoft and Mercedes Benz.
In an interview with Proactive, Galarza talked about how the firm’s technology could be a game-changer for the industry by tracking cannabis from seed-to-sale, providing quality assurance and real-time testing data.
What prompted you to use blockchain to track cannabis strains?
Great question. Our team has an extensive background in large enterprise software and data centric projects, as well as supply chain and logistics. In other words, at our core we are data nerds who happen to love cannabis, and understand the issues around moving this product around the world.
When blockchain came onto our radar a few years ago, we knew that it could be an incredibly powerful tool in data management. Combining this with the immutable recording nature of blockchain also made it attractive as a protection method for intellectual property and creating a permanent lineage for cannabis strains; thus, TruTrace was born.
My partner Tommy Stephenson has been developing some of the most phenomenal enterprise software platforms for companies like Microsoft, Mercedes Benz and even Major League Baseball for over two decades, and his passion and genius flows down into the team. Traveling to Seattle to visit the development shop is my favorite part of the job because there is almost a “Disney” feel to it. If we can dream it, our team can build it.
What can be done by cannabis producers to ensure customers trust what's in their weed?
It’s all comes down to transparency and product education. The conversation about who is the first in the world to cultivate a “strain” or who owns the rights to a particular “strain” is less important than the clear understanding that what I’m buying today is the same as what it was yesterday, or at least I’m told if it is slightly different. Cannabis producers are doing an amazing job cultivating a variety of products and we can help communicate all that great work to those down the supply chain.
Is TruTrace a pre-revenue company and if so, what do you hope to achieve five years down the line in terms of revenue, and new customers that adopt the StrainSecure platform?
As of today, we are no longer a pre-revenue company. Our platform is operating at both enterprise and grassroots levels and that is exciting because we scale at all levels in all markets.
As for our five-year projection, we fully intend on being a fundamental part of the growth of the medical cannabis industry worldwide, as well as playing a significant role on expanding the recreational market. The fact is that transparency and testing will never be circumvented in this industry and if we can be a fundamental part of that process and the market continues to scale as projected, we will be a unicorn.
WeedMD was your first customer, how many companies and cannabis producers are now on the StrainSecure platform?
We are working with about ten major producers with several others getting finalized. Although our focus has been in Canada throughout year one, we’re seeing some exciting momentum in South America and the US as well.
Would you describe TruTrace Technologies as a software company with a record-keeping system? Can your technology have applications in other industries?
You are spot on. We founded TruTrace in the cannabis space because it was such an area of need and it is a space where innovation is being supported heavily. However, blockchain-enabled traceability which derives from testing data could work in any industry and we fully intend on exploring opportunities that are best suited for our software, albeit in due course, because we don’t want to spread ourselves too thin.
Blockchain Technology Corp and TruTrace Technologies Inc are not the only companies you have founded. You are also the co-founder of Spark Digital Technologies. It seems you have a degree in law, but are a serial entrepreneur. What attracted you to the digital technology sector?
I have a pretty diverse background to say the least. I’ve worked in the marketing and traditional media industries, practised law, produced feature films, as well as a music and film festival, managed professional fighters and been a part of technology development in sports, video distribution, supply chain and now cannabis.
However, what drove me into digital technology was innovation, efficiency and imagination-based creation. When developing in this sector you can look at a problem, imagine how to resolve that problem and develop practical systems to resolve it. Truly, there is nothing more exhilarating than brainstorming on a whiteboard with Tommy and the team and a few months later seeing it come to life.
Can you talk about inflection points for TruTrace?
The biggest inflection point in my opinion has been our relationship with Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaws. I’m not sure everyone fully grasps how much it means to have a company of their size, history and reputation in the medical cannabis industry.
Working alongside Shoppers changes the conversation about what our technology could mean for the industry because we are focusing on building a bridge between medical cannabis and the traditional medical industry, and that is a much larger divide than people like to discuss.
If we can help make cannabis a customary part of medical treatment, it could exponentially impact the trajectory of the industry in a positive way. The move brings medical cannabis closer in line with standards for other drugs.
What are your key markets and how do you expect them to shape up?
Right now, we are focusing on Canada the US and exploring some projects in Columbia and South America. With that being said, we are hearing amazing rumblings coming out of Europe for medical cannabis with traceability being a fundamental issue that needs to be resolved. All I can say is that the future is bright in all these markets.
Is it true that in California, TruTrace brought its StrainSecure technology to a cannabis water company by affixing QR codes on its bottles that customers can now scan to quickly learn about test results?
Yes, earlier this year we began working with NXT Water out of Los Angeles in the launch of their AKESO Hemp Derived Functional Fitness Water, which is in select stores and health clubs throughout Southern California. This relationship was actually born out of a blind test they performed on several leading CBD water products in the US market. They found most of the products fell well below the advertised amount of CBD, with some having none at all.
Alternatively, the AKESO product was consistently testing out at around 12 milligrams of broad-spectrum CBD per bottle and NXT wanted to find a way to communicate this to their customers. Hence, they turned to TruTrace and started using the StrainSecure platform. Today you can go into a market in California, pick up an AKESO, scan the verified StrainSecure QR code and see real-time testing data on the bottle you’re holding in your hand.
What are the hallmarks of an innovative company and does TruTrace Technologies fit the bill?
The hallmarks for an innovative technology company is adoption at various levels of industry. A great idea without customers unfortunately will remain nothing more than an idea. What you need is adoption at varying levels and a pedigree to meet the standards of Fortune 500 companies so you can capitalize on opportunities.
We believe TruTrace has achieved this in our young history. From Shoppers Drug Mart and Deloitte, to WeedMD and NXT Water, we’ve found great adoption at many levels and we truly believe that sets us up for long-term success.
Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive
OILFF: Nextleaf Solutions closes out 2019 with 11th granted patent
Giles Gwinnett
10:34 Mon 30 Dec 2019
The company has now been issued these patents by four international patent offices in key markets of Canada, the United States of America, Australia, and Colombia.
NEXTLEAF SOLUTIONS Ltd. -
In 2019, the firm beame the first public company granted multiple patents for industrial-scale extraction and purification of cannabinoids
Nextleaf Solutions Ltd (CSE:OILS) (OTCMKTS:OILFF) closed out 2019 by obtaining its 11th patent - for its filtration stack used in post-extraction processing of THC and CBD oils.
The company has now been issued these patents by four international patent offices in key markets of Canada, the United States of America, Australia, and Colombia.
"Given the abundant supply of lower-grade dried cannabis, we believe processors that establish a competitive advantage by utilizing superior technology to transform otherwise unsellable biomass into high-purity THC and CBD oils at a lower cost than competitors, will generate better margins and build a sustainable long term business," Paul Pedersen, the CEO of Nextleaf Solutions, noted in a statement on Monday.
Running through the milestones last year, the group noted it had become the first public company granted multiple patents for industrial-scale extraction and purification of cannabinoids.
In June, it acquired a US patent pending hydrocarbon extraction process and award-winning formulation for THC concentrate, commonly known as "shatter".
It said it remains committed to developing and monetizing its intellectual property (IP) for innovative cannabis 2.0 products.
Notably, it started generating licensing royalties in 2019, and expects to realize between C$5 million and C$10 million in licensing royalties in 2020.
Other highlights included the completion of its custom extraction plant in December. This phase 1 plant, operating within the Nextleaf Labs Ltd. licensed production facility, can process the same amount of cannabis biomass into a refined oil as eight large supercritical CO2 extractors.
In September, Nextleaf acquired intellectual property (IP) pertaining to water-soluble cannabinoid formulations. The technology uses food grade emulsifiers already approved by Health Canada to create water-soluble cannabinoids that are shelf stable and deliver fast onset time.
Nextleaf believes fast-acting THC and CBD emulsification technology in cannabis beverages will prove disruptive to the alcohol industry and it expects to monetize this technology in 2020.
And in November, Nextleaf completed commissioning of its automated vape cart filling line that has capacity to fill 3,000 vape cartridges per hour.
Shares in Toronto nudged up 1.67% to C$0.30 on the day.
Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com
Awesome news, PDC!
TTTSF: Shoppers Drug Mart Expands Cannabis Sales Across Canada
https://grizzle.com/shoppers-drug-mart-expansion/
Martin Green
December 3, 2019
Marijuana Politics
Shoppers Drug Mart has expanded its online medical cannabis sales platform to cover five new Canadian provinces and territories.
The country’s largest drug store group today announced that it will now sell to patients in Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
Shoppers Drug Mart is not permitted to sell medical cannabis at its 1,300 brick-and-mortar stores, but it commenced ecommerce sales in Ontario in January 2019. It then began selling medical cannabis in Alberta in April.
It has partnered with 12 licensed producers to secure medical cannabis products that it sells direct to patients via a dedicated section of its website, Medical Cannabis by Shoppers. Jeff Leger, president at Shoppers Drug Mart, said Canadian patients have been left behind by traditional retail models, arguing that they need more convenient access to medical marijuana.
“We expanded Medical Cannabis by Shoppers nationally to provide enhanced service to more patients so they can feel empowered to access medical cannabis through the medical market with the guidance of healthcare professionals,” he said.
The firm cited Statistics Canada data and said that 1.1 million Canadians use cannabis for medical purposes, but more than 800,000 of them are self-medicating with recreational or illegal cannabis, without the guidance of a healthcare professional. It believes Medical Cannabis by Shoppers can redress the balance and allow Canadians to gain access to products that are safer and better suited to their medical conditions.
Shoppers uses a firm called TruTrace Technologies to run a medical cannabis strain traceability scheme that provides patients seed-to-sale information. Producers Aphria and WeedMD have signed up to partner with the retailer for the scheme, while Deloitte has also been brought in to audit the process.
A Shoppers Drug Mart Medical Advisory Board also provides pharmacists with education and guidance on clinical evidence on the effectiveness of medical cannabis. The firm has developed clinical algorithms that help its advisors select the correct strain for patients. It can also connect patients to a licensed physician or nurse practitioner to assess whether a patient is an ideal candidate for medical cannabis.
Martin Green
Martin Green
Martin Green is an experienced journalist with a strong focus on the cannabis, alcohol, and gambling industries. He is particularly interested in the political issues affecting the global marijuana trade, and he has a keen focus on regulation changes and legal topics. He holds a BA English Literature, MA Creative Writing and a National Qualification in Journalism diploma. He has worked in journalism since 2009 and written for a broad range of newspapers, business titles and magazines, including The Sun, The Metro, The Journal, Livestrong, Drinks Retailing News, Harpers, Sportsbook Review, Vital Football, Essex Live and Surrey Live.