While debate rages over the moral and economic imperatives in legalizing medical marijuana, veterans groups are demanding the use of pot as a treatment for PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.
Active cannabis companies with vested interest in seeing the initiative succeed include Aurora Cannabis (TSXV: ACB) (OTC: ACBFF), GW Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: GWPH), Insys Therapeutics (NASDAQ: INSY), and MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. (CSE: MYM) (OTC: MYMMF).
Leaders of veteran's groups argue that marijuana should be removed from the government's Schedule 1 narcotics list. They say that access to medical marijuana could ease suffering and reduce suicide rates among soldiers who return from war.
At present, 29 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized the sale of the marijuana plant for medical purposes.
The wholesale removal of the restriction for vets would mean a larger market for legal cannabis and could open doors for new research and therapeutics derived from cannabis.
Several emerging cannabis companies could benefit immediately from the move to legalize marijuana. Some prominent companies have already taken initiatives as Licensed Producers like Aurora Cannabis (TSXV: ACB) (OTC: ACBFF), GW Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: GWPH), Insys Therapeutics (NASDAQ: INSY).
There are also a select few companies that are looking to support their efforts in developing formulations, extracts and supplying marijuana derived products based on their Licensed Producer status.
MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. (CSE: MYM) (OTC: MYMMF) is a flagship company in this area. The company has recently announced that it is developing of some of the world's largest cannabis greenhouses, as well as having diversified interests in cannabis research, cannabis derivatives, formulations and most recently, producing cannabis in Australia for that burgeoning market.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA EFFECTIVE?
The data is not widely available to support or disprove most of the claims around medical marijuana use. However, there is a growing body of support, even if anecdotal, that it could be a game changer.
"We've got young men and women with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries coming to us and saying that cannabis works," Joe Plenzler, a spokesman for the group, which was established after World War I and has over two million members, was published as saying in a New York Times article.
Mr. Plenzler is quoted as saying that that veterans had turned to medical marijuana as an alternative to so-called "zombie drugs," including opioids and antidepressants, that they said adversely affected their mood and personality, up to and including thoughts of suicide.
In studies, cannabis has been shown to help alleviate chronic pain and reduce muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis patients.
At present, three FDA-approved drugs are made from marijuana:
- Marinol and Cesamet: Both drugs are used to treat nausea and lack of appetite related to chemotherapy and in AIDS patients. They are man-made versions of THC, the primary chemical in marijuana that gives users a "high." Both were approved in the 1980s.
- Epidiolex: This drug to treat children's epilepsy received FDA approval in 2013. Its use is highly restricted.
MYM NUTRACEUTICALS' SEES NATURAL PROGRESSION
MYM Nutraceuticals is an up and coming company with a novel approach to the cannabis business. The company's strategy is based on a commitment to superior growing technology, well-crafted branding and innovative distribution strategies.
And while MYM is not a traditional medical-marijuana company, it is developing and marketing CBD-infused supplements and CBD-based products to enhance overall health. MYM is all in on availability of cannabis for research and development.
Through its majority-owned subsidiary CannCanada, MYM signed an exclusive deal with the Quebec municipality of Weedon to build a 1.5 million square foot facility in 2016. The town of Weedon is actually acquiring the 329 acres of land in order for MYM to establish its new megastructure.
The Weedon facility will be one of the largest greenhouses dedicated to marijuana growth in the world. It is expected to produce over 150,000 kg of cannabis per year.
Most recently, MYM has announced two more production facilities; a smaller facility in Laval, Quebec, which it expects to have online in by the end of this year, and the other in Australia.
The Australian agreement is another co-venture with local government created venture – this time with the New South Wales city of Casino to create a 1 million square foot growing facility. Operations are expected to begin in 2018.
MYM is creating its own unique integration of brands, formulations and distribution capacity. Its cannabis-based brands include Joshua Tree, MyHemp Skin Therapy, and HempMed. These feature custom-made cannabis products with tailored CBD chemistries to treat specific medical conditions and symptoms.
Importantly, MYM Nutraceuticals boats first-in-class R&D in developing the highest quality cannabis-based nutraceuticals. The company's planned extraction and processing department will also house a cannabis product testing and research laboratory in partnership with TheraCann Canada, the "gold standard" in approved cannabis testing in Canada.
MYM Nutraceuticals represents the best case for moving toward significant production capabilities backed by fully integrated R&D, products and distribution. Its model is unique, even among the front running companies in this space.
The tide has turned with regard to public perception of marijuana use and that's having an impact on attitudes toward research and medicinal use.
A Quinnipiac University poll released in April found that a record 94 percent of all Americans supported doctor-prescribed medical marijuana usage. Unfortunately, that's not enough to single handedly move the ball forward. Veterans advocating research have run into a roadblock with the Justice Department.
President Trump campaigned in support of medical marijuana and said that recreational usage should be a "state-by-state" issue, but the justice department is the hold out.
Canada seems to be willing to take its plans for legalization and integration of cannabis to the next level and remove all criminalization by 2018. Of course, marijuana for medical purposes has been legal in that country for almost a decade.
With the voice of veterans chiming in, supporters hope that the example in our neighbor next door will take root in the minds of the representatives who could move marijuana therapies or medical treatment into the hands of those that may need it most.
POTENTIAL COMPARABLES
Aurora Cannabis (TSXV: ACB) (OTC: ACBFF)
Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aurora Cannabis Enterprises Inc., Aurora Cannabis is a major LP, operating a 55,200 square foot, state-of-the-art production facility in Mountain View County, Alberta. Aurora made waves when it announced the construction of its 800,000 square foot "Aurora Sky" facility second 800,000 square foot production facility at the Edmonton International Airport. Aurora's also involved in Quebec, with its third 40,000 square foot production facility set to be completed in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, on Montreal's West Island. Aurora also holds a minority stake in leading extraction technology company Radient Technologies Inc., based in Edmonton, and a minority stake in Australian company Cann Group Limited, which was the first in Australia to conduct research on and cultivate medical cannabis. Aurora also owns German wholesale importer, exporter, and EU medical cannabis distributor Pedanios.
GW Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: GWPH)
GW has established a world leading position in the development of plant-derived cannabinoid therapeutics through its proven drug discovery and development processes, intellectual property portfolio and regulatory and manufacturing expertise. Their lead product candidate is Epidiolex® (cannabidiol) for certain rare and severe early-onset, drug-resistant epilepsy syndromes. GW successfully developed the world's first prescription medicine derived from the cannabis plant, Sativex®, now approved in over 29 countries outside of the United States for the treatment of spasticity due to Multiple Sclerosis. The company has a deep pipeline of additional clinical stage cannabinoid product candidates for both orphan and non-orphan indications with a particular focus on neurological conditions. GW Pharmaceuticals was founded in 1998 and has operations in both the US and the UK.
Insys Therapeutics (NASDAQ: INSY)
Insys Therapeutics, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company, develops and commercializes supportive care products. The company markets SUBSYS, a sublingual fentanyl spray for breakthrough cancer pain in opioid-tolerant cancer patients in the United States. Its lead product candidate is SYNDROS, an orally administered liquid formulation of dronabinol for treating CINV and anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with AIDS. The company is also developing Cannabidiol Oral Solution, a synthetic cannabidiol for childhood catastrophic epilepsy syndromes; and other product candidates, including other dronabinol line extensions and sublingual spray product candidates. Insys Therapeutics, Inc. is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona.
For a more in-depth look into MYM you can view the in-depth report at USA News Group: http://usanewsgroup.com/2017/11/12/the_marijuana_boom_is_here_to_stay-2-2-2-2/
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