International Canna Pro Expo (ICPE) -  2017

International Canna Pro Expo Connects Healthcare Professionals, Investors, and Entrepreneurs Interested in the Business of Medical Cannabis
 

Philadelphia, PA (April 6th, 2017) – When considering North American sales of medical and recreational cannabis grew by an unprecedented 30% in 2016, the accelerating pace of legalization across the United States, and an ever-expanding list of medicinal uses, it’s no surprise why savvy investors are flocking to medical cannabis to claim their stake in the industry.

At the fore front of this financial tidal wave comes the International Canna Pro Expo (ICPE), a medical cannabis industry conference for healthcare and business professionals, June 24 – 25, 2017 at the Sheraton Hotel Downtown in Philadelphia, PA.

The ICPE will connect entrepreneurs, investors, medical professionals, and advocates through a variety of engaging panel discussions, industry trend topics, scientific lectures, and networking opportunities designed to build relationships within the medical cannabis business community while providing credible, academic, and fact-based insight from leaders in the industry.

“I'm constantly meeting doctors and health care professionals who are eager for reputable, evidence-based information on medical cannabis. This Expo is their chance to find it.” said the ICPE’s keynote speaker and longtime medical cannabis supporter Montel Williams.

Since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999—the symptoms of which he manages with medical cannabis products—the Emmy award-winning talk show host has been an outspoken advocate in the fight for medical cannabis law reform.

Alongside Montel Williams, the ICPE will feature an array of cannabis-connected business and healthcare leaders, including an investors panel headed by Lindy Snider, CEO of Lindi Skin, active investor, and business advisor in the cannabis venture space; and presentations by Dr. Charles Pollack, Associate Provost for Innovation in Education at Thomas Jefferson University and Director of the Lambert Center for the Study of Medicinal Cannabis and Hemp. Also, Michael C. Minardi, Senior Partner at Minardi Law, a legal firm specializing in corporate consulting services for clients entering the cannabis industry.

After last year’s historic election, nearly 190 million, or 60% of Americans, now live in states where medical cannabis has been legalized to some degree. This not only presents a huge opportunity for traditional venture capitalists but also for doctors and other healthcare professionals, who are quickly becoming a significant investment group in the medical cannabis market.

"I have also found that doctors are one of the largest sectors of investors and participants in the medical cannabis industry. Many are on advisories and boards, as well." said Lindy Snider, who has seen numerous physicians adopt medical cannabis as a means to expand their practice and become part of a budding industry.

Backed with more than 25 years of medical conference and investor experience, the International Canna Pro Expo is where the healthcare community, medical cannabis industry influencers, investors and business owners gather to network and learn about the opportunities associated with the progression of medical cannabis as a medicine. The event is open to all who wish to register and attend.

Learn more by visiting the ICPE’s website: InternationalCannaProExpo.com

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Recent International Canna Pro Articles:


Where Are We Now: 5 Months After Historical Medical Marijuana Bill Was Introduced to the Senate

The CARERS Act was first introduced in March of this year by Senators Gillbrand, Booker and Paul, and has since amassed lots of media attention. Since the bill was introduced five months ago, numerous news outlets have run editorials on the bill’s origins. Just a day after the CARERS Act was introduced, New York Times wrote a lead editorial in support of the legislation, titled “A Sensible Bill on Medical Marijuana”.

Over the summer recess, advocacy groups in Washington D.C. have been building solid support for the CARERS Act by promoting the passage of three Senate appropriations amendments, which strongly resemble the provisions of CARERS. While these spending amendments are only in effect for a year, they have allowed us to see how much support would be received for the major provisions of the bill.

So far, it seems that the Senate is prepared to debate medical marijuana and if brought in for a vote, majority would support the CARERS Act.

The three amendments that mirror the provisions of the bill were quite welcomed. One of the most important aspects of CARERS is that it enables states to set their own policies regarding medical marijuana.

According to Huffington Post, the Senate Appropriations Committee has passed several amendments. One that is nearly identical to the CARERS Act provision was passed 21-9, with seven of its supporters being Republicans. The amendment that would allow veterans access to medical marijuana passed 18-12. Then the amendment that would enable marijuana businesses to obtain banking services also passed 16-12. These victories show that the Senate could very well be ready to take on the ongoing battle for full medical marijuana legalization.

As attitudes on the legalization of medical marijuana continue to evolve, opponents become advocates. A clear example of this was when staunch opponents of medical marijuana, Senators Feinstein and Grassley, reversed their positions and began advocating for more research into the benefits of medical marijuana. Feinstein further secured her position on the matter in a separate funding bill that requests more research that will help pinpoint “the potential therapeutic benefits that marijuana and its components may bring to patients with serious medical conditions, including seizures, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, substance use disorders, and neuropathic and cancer pain.”

Grassley and Feinstein also drafted a Time magazine op-ed, stating, “We need to cut red tape and streamline the licensing and regulatory processes so research can move ahead. In addition, we must also find ways to ensure that researchers have access to the quantity and quality of marijuana that they need. Finally, we need to look at expanding compassionate access programs where possible, to benefit as many children as possible.”

Both senators are crucial players in assisting with the progress of CARERS Act. This is especially true for Grassley, who has a seat in the Judiciary Committee, which CARERS Act must pass through.

To date, the bill has received much support, with 15 cosponsors supporting the bill, 12 of which are Democrats, two Republicans and one independent. Also giving a supportive push to the bill was the addition of Chuck Schumer, a key Judiciary member and possible future head of the Senate Democrats. Across the media, we continue to see praise being given to the legislation, such as what we just witnessed this past Sunday in yet another New York Times editorial.

During these next couple of months, it’s very likely that advocates will place their focus on winning over the Republicans who already expressed support for appropriations amendments. They are also set to continue talks with Senator Grassley and will aim to have a Judiciary Committee hearing and vote for the bill. If things continue on the course they’ve been on, the next five months could prove to be substantial for the CARERS Act.


Discarding Myths and Learning the Truth About Medical Marijuana

The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 included marijuana and its cannabinoids on the Schedule I list of dangerous substances in the United States. Marijuana was included on the list because, at the time, it was thought to have a high potential for abuse and offered no “currently” accepted medical use. Well, a lot has changed in the 45 years since marijuana was listed next to LSD, ecstasy, and heroin. Consider these myths and decide for yourself how useful medical marijuana is for millions of patients around the world.

Myth #1: Medical Marijuana Has No Medical Benefits

Marijuana’s main ingredient is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but it also contains other cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD). Both of these ingredients are being studied for their medical benefits and scientists are currently conducting preclinical and clinical trials. THC has been found to increase appetite, reduce nausea, decrease pain, reduce inflammation, and control muscle problems. While THC contains psychoactive ingredients that can affect perception, CBD is non-psychoactive and does not affect the mind or behavior. CBD has been found to reduce pain, control epileptic seizures, and may be useful in treating mental illnesses or addictions.

Myth #2: Medical Marijuana is Not FDA-Approved

While the marijuana plant as a whole has not been approved by the FDA as a medicine, it has approved two medications containing cannabinoid chemicals in pill form. Dronabinol and Nabilone contain THC and are currently being used to treat chemotherapy patients for nausea and vomiting, as well as appetite stimulation and weight loss in AIDS patients. Canada, the UK, and other European countries have also approved Nabiximols, a mouth spray containing THC and CBD to treat multiple sclerosis patients for neuropathic pain, muscle spasticity, and overactive bladder. It is currently undergoing clinical trials in the U.S. for the safe treatment of cancer pain.

Myth #3: Medical Marijuana is Highly Addictive

There is no doubt that those who use any substance in excess are at risk of becoming addicted or developing a problem that can interfere with life. It is estimated that 32% of tobacco users, 23% of heroin users, 17% of cocaine users, and 15% of alcohol users will become addicted. In comparison, only 9-11% of recreational marijuana users will develop a serious addiction. Many commonly prescribed medications are highly addictive and regularly abused by both patients and non-patients. Xanax, Oxycodone, Ritalin, Hydrocodone, Codeine, and amphetamines are all highly addictive and easy to become dependent upon. Despite the risks, doctors, dentists, and psychiatrists regularly prescribe these medications every day.
 

Learn More Truths at the International Canna Pro Expo - The International Canna Pro Expo is open to anyone and everyone interested in learning more about medical marijuana. Oaksterdam University will be providing information on the science, history, and legalities of medical marijuana. Keynote speaker Montel Williams, along with a full schedule of industry professionals, make this an event you will not want to miss. Discard the myths and learn the truth about medical marijuana by registering for the expo and booking your hotel room today.

Investing In The Marijuana Industry

With marijuana laws changing from state to state on a rapid basis, marijuana is one of the most lucrative investment opportunities out there. It is this mere promise of incredible wealth that has piqued the interest of many career entrepreneurs and investors. As a result, several large venture capital firms have begun hosting investment summits all over the country. In recent years, marijuana industry penny stocks have undergone various booms and busts as professionals and amateurs alike jumped into the investment game. Despite the fact that it is still illegal on the federal level, many entrepreneurs and investors are placing their bets on marijuana stocks. However, investing in the marijuana industry is not without risk, as it is highly dependent on current politics.

To date only four states — Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington— have legalized marijuana for both medicinal and recreational use with another 23 states where marijuana is legal for medicinal use only. It is this mix of legal ambiguity or hostility that can make finding credible investment opportunities incredibly difficult. While a few large pharmaceutical companies have begun to dabble in the marijuana industry, most companies operate on a much smaller scale offering stock that poses significant risk. Unlike traditional stocks, marijuana stocks are not listed on the major exchanges—NASDAQ and DOW JONES—and are instead available over-the-counter, or OTC. Because of this investment in marijuana, stocks are inherently risky as they have very little oversight.

In August of last year, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued a statement, warning would-be marijuana investors about the risks of such speculative investments, including the high potential for fraud. The main focus of FINRA’s warning was to caution investors against the increasingly popular ‘pump and dump’ schemes circulating the industry. What is a ‘pump and dump” scheme? This refers to a scheme in which “fraudsters lure investors with aggressive, optimistic — and potentially false and misleading — statements or information designed to create unwarranted demand for shares of a small, thinly traded company with little or no history of financial success (the pump). Once share prices and volumes reach a peak, the cons behind the scam sell off their shares at a profit, leaving investors with worthless stock (the dump).”

For those inclined to overlook the risk, investing in the marijuana industry has the potential bring in millions, if not billions, of dollars every year.

 

Cannabis Is Changing The Way We Treat Epilepsy

In April of this year, the American Academy of Neurology released data from a revolutionary new epilepsy drug, Epidiolex. In this double blind study, more than 50% of the epileptic children and adults saw a reduction in seizures. Derived from highly purified cannabidiol (CBD), Epidiolex is the first FDA-approved drug of its kind to treat severe epilepsy.

How Can Severe Epilepsy Affect Children and Adults?

While seizures can be debilitating for adults, the children suffering from epilepsy can be even more devastating. In fact, many children with severe seizure disorders experience more than 100 seizures per day. For those individuals, the mortality rate can be as high as 15-20% by the age of 20. Due to the severity of the convulsions, survivors are often left with cognitive, behavioral and motor skill issues. When a child, or an adult, has a serious convulsion, it can take an entire day or more to recuperate. This makes it almost impossible to function like a normal individual. To make matters worse, the common drugs that are given to patients with this disorder have been ineffective for children. In some cases, they have made the seizures even worse, often accompanied by serious side effects such as hyperactivity, eye problems, trouble sleeping, weight gain, slowed thinking, fainting, heart rhythm changes, blistering/peeling of skin in large areas, and much more. With such adverse effects and little relief, it is no surprise that people are in desperate need for alternate forms of treatment. Thankfully, the development of Epidiolex has given many patients hope.

What Does This Mean For People With Severe Epilepsy?

With this new method of treatment, people who have been diagnosed with severe epilepsy have the opportunity to live a relatively normal life with minimal symptoms. While more research is needed on the effects of medicines like Epidiolex, current studies indicate that CBD (Cannabidiol) derived medicines offer patients relief from constant seizures with very little side effects. It is the lack of any severe side effects that make medicines like Epidiolex safe to give to children who suffer from severe epilepsy.

 

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