The passage of the U.S. Farm Bill 2018 has opened up the United States hemp market at the national level. The number of states legalizing cannabis for either medical or recreational use grew again on November 6, 2018, with the states of Missouri and Utah voting to approve cannabis consumption. Consequently, a number of companies are mobilizing to capitalize on these massive opportunities.
One of these companies is
Agrios Global Holdings Ltd. (
CSE: AGRO, FSA: SA, WKN: A2N62K),
Forum). Agrios specializes in supplying agricultural technology and consulting expertise to this growing U.S. industry, as well as cultivation leasing and infrastructure. The Company’s technical focus is “aeroponics” cultivation technology. Aeroponics is hi-tech indoor cultivation that offers several important qualities.
The flagship project for Agrios is its Washington State cultivation facility, fully compliant with the state’s regulatory code. The Company leases this facility to a Tier 3 licensed producer, providing full support. This will then become the operational foundation for expansion, with options to acquire additional land packages already in place.
Agrios already had considerable management depth in business development as well as the technical side of operations. What was missing from this team was someone with specific expertise in marketing and product development.
On February 19, 2018; Agrios announced the appointment of Robert Lanterman as Vice President of Product Development. Who is Robert Lanterman?
Lanterman is the former Director of Sales for Organa Brands, a Denver-based company that provides a broad offering of cannabis products and accessories. This requires further explanation. Organa Brands is now part of SLANG Worldwide Inc. It was acquired by SLANG for approximately $200 million, in what was
effectively a merger. SLANG, backed by Canopy Growth, recently listed on the CSE (CSE: SLNG) with an initial market cap approaching $500 million.
A track record of success in cannabis product development and marketing, Lanterman boasts more than 25 years of experience in business/product development, with a focus on luxury brand lines. Chris Kennedy, President and CEO of Agrios framed the significance of this news for investors.
“We are excited to have acquired Robert’s services. His comprehensive understanding of cannabis product development, branding and marketing combined with his extensive experience in creative new product launches and sales will facilitate the Company’s move to create multiple new revenue streams.” At the top of Lanterman’s agenda in his new role will be to build a robust product development unit for Agrios. This will provide Agrios access to a new segment of the cannabis market and generate additional revenue streams.
The Company also operates an Asian subsidiary, Agrios Asia, which is focused on industrial hemp, the world’s most versatile crop. Its mandate is to acquire, develop, and manage hemp operations and to create bio-degradable/eco-sustainable hemp products for global distribution.
With a key puzzle-piece added to the Company’s management team, Agrios is poised to ride the green wave experienced in Canada over the past few years as this industry fully launches in the U.S.
www.agriosglobal.com FULL DISCLOSURE: This is a paid article of Stockhouse Publishing.