SAN DIEGO, Aug. 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC Pink:MJNA) is proud to announce, through its partnership with HempMeds Brasil™, that the Brazilian government has subsidized the cost of a 30-day supply of Real Scientific Hemp Oil™ (RSHO(TM), the cannabidiol (CBD) hemp oil brand) for 15 year-old Gabriel César do Amaral. Gabriel has lived with a rare type of epilepsy called Myoclonic syndrome since he was 15 days old. However, his family did not arrive at the correct diagnosis until 2013. Prior to 2013, Gabriel was incorrectly diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
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Gabriel has gone through several types of treatments in various hospitals in Piracicaba, Brazil. His neurologist prescribed CBD hemp oil in October 2014. Gabriel's mother, Valdineia Cristina Vidal, appealed to their state and local governments to cover the costs of the RSHO (CBD hemp oil) for Gabriel. After winning the injunction in court, this week the state made the purchase on Gabriel's behalf. To date, RSHOTM (CBD hemp oil) was the first product to receive Brazilian government approval for import, government-subsidized status, and government insurance rebates.
Hemp is widely regarded as "whole food" and "superfood." MJNA's (CBD) hemp oil is derived from the mature stalk of the hemp plant and is considered a food nutrient delivering the benefits of cannabinoids without the psychotropic/euphoric effects of THC.
"Recent studies have revealed there are about 750,000 individuals in Brazil living with disabilities such as 'refractory epilepsy'," said Stuart W. Titus, PhD and CEO of Medical Marijuana, Inc. "Our products and programs have reached nearly 1,200 patients, so we see a tremendous opportunity to grow and continue to help the population of Brazil live better lives. Medical Marijuana, Inc. continues to further develop our presence within Brazil and we are extremely encouraged with the acceptance by the general public of our products."
Extrapolating from those numbers, the market potential in Brazil, the eighth-largest economy in the world, is well over a billion dollars for epilepsy.
Until recently, the Brazilian government treated anything derived from cannabis, even hemp, as illegal. In a series of landmark rulings, the Brazilian government began permitting the importation of CBD hemp oil products, beginning with RSHO – with registration by the Federal government agency, ANVISA. ANVISA removed CBD from its prohibited substance use list. In the latest ruling by the Brazilian government, as stated in a translated article by Globo, the import tax has also been removed. The Brazilian government also began subsidizing the cost of CBD oil products, including RSHO, for residents that need financial assistance.
"It is truly history in the making as we witness the Brazilian government taking decisive action to support the needs of their residents with subsidized access to RSHO - a CBD hemp oil product that is approved for import," explained Titus. "Brazil is setting an example for the world to follow when it comes to prioritizing health and well being of the country's residents. We applaud everyone who has been instrumental in making this happen for Gabriel and others in need."
The Company is committed to consistently providing the highest-quality CBD hemp oil products on the market.
For details on Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s portfolio and investment companies, visit www.medicalmarijuanainc.com. To see Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s video statement, click here.
About HempMeds BrasilTM HempMeds PX, LLC
HempMeds® is a corporate affiliated company of Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC Pink:MJNA) and is its exclusive distributor of RSHO™. HempMeds Brasil™ offers specialized marketing, sales, customer service, and logistics to supply natural hemp oil rich in CBD to the medical community and families of Brazil. For more information on HempMeds Brasil™ and their all-natural hemp oil products, visit: http://www.hempmeds.com.br. The Company invites the public to get involved in the conversation on the expanding cannabis industry with HempMeds Brasil™ through the Company's social media channels Facebook, Twitter and blog.
About Medical Marijuana, Inc.
Our mission is to be the premier hemp industry innovators, leveraging our team of professionals to source, evaluate and purchase value-added companies and products, while allowing them to keep their integrity and entrepreneurial spirit. We strive to create awareness within our industry, develop environmentally-friendly, economically sustainable businesses, while increasing shareholder value. For more information, please visit the company's website at: www.MedicalMarijuanaInc.com.
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) DISCLOSURE
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Medical Marijuana, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein.
LEGAL DISCLOSURE
Medical Marijuana, Inc. does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US.CSA). The Company does grow, sell and distribute hemp-based products and are involved with the federally legal distribution of hemp-based products within certain international markets. Cannabidiol is a natural constituent of hemp oil.
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CONTACT: For further information, please contact:
Public Relations contact:
Andrew Hard
Spokesperson
CMW Media
P. 858-380-5478
andrew.hard@cmwmedia.com
Corporate contact:
Medical Marijuana, Inc.
Toll Free: 888-OTC-MJNA (888-682-6562)
www.medicalmarijuanainc.com
www.facebook.com/mjnainc
Investor Relations:
GH Investment Advisors
550 West "C" Street, Ste. 2040
San Diego, CA 92101
Nick Massalas
Office: (858) 264-6500
Toll Free: (877) 964-6463
info@ghinvestmentadvisors.com
