DENVER, Dec. 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- PRESS RELEASE -- Medicine Man Technologies Inc. has announced several changes to its executive leadership team. The changes reflect a thoughtful and strategic approach to long-term growth for the organization.

As a visionary of the cannabis industry, Andy Williams founded Medicine Man Technologies in 2014 with a focus on bringing cannabis expertise to organizations across the United States and the world. Over the last five years, Williams was a key leader in scaling the business, including taking the company public, overseeing the acquisition of product companies, such as Success Nutrients, Three-A-Light cultivation publication and Big Tomato Hydroponics, and notably leading the charge on Colorado House Bill 19-1090, which opened the Colorado cannabis industry to outside funding.

Earlier this year, the company announced one of the largest roll-ups in the cannabis industry to bring together 12 operators across the state of Colorado, creating one of the leading vertically integrated cannabis companies in North America. Upon the anticipated closing of the series of pending acquisitions in 2020, the company will have 12 cultivation operations, seven product manufacturing operations, 34 dispensaries (including one currently under construction), and advanced research, development and innovation capabilities all under a single entity.

With the company's strategy set, Williams will now focus on driving the company's vision, advocating for the cannabis industry, fostering innovative ideas and growth, and continuing to build on the company's great foundation by exploring opportunities both within Colorado and beyond. In this new role, Williams will be vice-chairman and president of the company.

The company's Board of Directors has appointed Justin Dye of Dye Capital as executive chairman and chief executive officer. Dye brings more than 25 years of strategic management, operations, strategy, corporate finance and M&A experience. In his new role, Dye will be focused on leading day-to-day operations across the organization, creating an environment that promotes strong performance with all associates and ensuring the progression of our announced targeted acquisitions to achieve the company's strategic growth.

"I am excited about the next chapter of Medicine Man Technologies," said Williams. "I am an entrepreneur at heart and being able to focus on new initiatives and opportunities across the industry will enable the company to thrive in this ever-changing landscape. We are at a critical stage in the company's growth and bringing in Justin to lead the day-to-day operations enables an even greater focus on building a strong company positioned for long-term success." 

Additionally, Bob DeGabrielle has been appointed as chief operating officer of the company. DeGabrielle is a trailblazer in the cannabis industry and is the founder of Los Sueños Farms, one of the largest outdoor grows in North America. DeGabrielle brings more than 40 years of experience in acquiring, developing, managing, and selling commercial and residential real estate. This breadth and depth of operational expertise, combined with his strong working knowledge of the cannabis industry, will greatly benefit the organization.

Finally, Nancy Huber has been promoted to chief financial officer. Huber joined the company in August as the senior vice president of finance and is an effective and strategic leader with more than 30 years of experience and significant expertise with consumer-packaged goods companies. Huber brings a strong business acumen and will be focused on fiscal discipline for the company.

"I believe this leadership team positions the Company for sustainable growth," commented Dye. "The combination of a world-class executive team, the great people of Medicine Man Technologies and its targeted acquisition partners creates a team that is unrivaled in the industry. Our strategy to become one of the largest vertically integrated cannabis operators in North America is a big opportunity for us, and I am excited to work alongside pioneers of the industry. We are at a stage of the company's development to start seeing even greater momentum and I truly believe in our vision to build one of the most admired cannabis companies in the industry. Together, we are building a culture of speed, innovation, and teamwork, all with a growth mindset. Our combined efforts will benefit our employees, our shareholders, the communities in which we operate, and our consumers."

For more information about Medicine Man Technologies, please visit https://www.MedicineManTechnologies.com/.

LOS ANGELES, Calif (December 3, 2019) – PRESS RELEASE – Advanced Nutrients, a leading global nutrient company, will be launching three new product lines available at MJBizCon, the world’s largest cannabis event. Using Augmented Reality technology, the brand has created four unique experiences in their state-of-the-art booth, located at C3925.

Buddy, Advanced Nutrients’ favorite spokesperson, will be available at the booth for a fun and in-depth guided tour of interactive innovation and brand inspiration. Exciting booth highlights include:

• Advanced Hemp: Meet Professor CBD for a quick lesson on Advanced Hemp—the first all-in-one hemp formula made to increase the plant’s worth throughout the cultivation process.
• Water Soluble Powders: Backed by 20 years of science, Advanced Nutrients has innovated a cost-effective and efficient product for large-scale producers and commercial production. Growers can expect a high concentration of their favorite Advanced Nutrients products in a stable and readily absorbable powder format.
• True Organics: A complete OIM-CDFA and OMRI organic growing system from seed to senescence that’s not only planet friendly but also produces high performing crops.
• Starter Kit: A curated collection of some of Advanced Nutrients’ most popular products, making it more convenient than ever for anyone to grow top shelf cannabis.
• Take a stroll through Green Bull Farms’ 4,000 plants of lush greenery and capture a souvenir image at the photo booth. Don’t forget to tag #NotForTomatoes on social.

“For the last 20 years, Advanced Nutrients has been driving research and innovation in order to unlock the true genetic potential of the cannabis plant,” said BigMike Straumietis, CEO and founder of Advanced Nutrients. “As I reflect on all that we’ve accomplished as a community and look forward to the future, I am excited to announce the integration of two decades of proprietary science into the launch of four Advanced Nutrients products that completely revolutionize cannabis cultivation.”

These four product launches tap into the growing demands of cannabis and hemp cultivators across the globe, who have been relying on Advanced Nutrients’ science-backed innovations to enhance the quality of their crops since 1999. As one of only three companies in the world to receive a government issued license to test and grow cannabis, Advanced Nutrients has integrated accelerated cannabis research into more than more than fifty firsts—including their patented pH Perfect technology, an unprecedented innovation that revolutionized the cultivation process for growers who use their products.

In celebration of their 20th anniversary milestone, Advanced Nutrients has developed unique brand experiences:

• “Not For Tomatoes:” Experience Advanced Nutrient’s first integrated multi-channel campaign.
• Merchandise: Advanced Nutrients will be collaborating with HIT + RUN to create one-of-a kind merchandise, only available at MJBizCon.
• Giveaways: Daily giveaways will occur every hour, including eight $1,000 Advanced Nutrients gift certificates,  Advanced Nutrients Starter Kits ($199 retail value), limited edition gift bags, custom Advanced Nutrients swag, and Penthouse Lounge access.
• Meet Buddy: In real life! Catch him on the show floor, gambling at the casinos or at a nearby hotel buffet. Grab a photo and tag #NotForTomatoes for a chance to win Advanced Nutrients swag.
• Advanced Nutrients 2020 Product Preview: Get a glimpse into the future of Advanced Nutrients’ latest innovations, and discover the secret recipes that have shaped their successes for the last twenty years.
• Penthouse VIP Lounge: Surprise guests, entertainment and more!

To locate an authorized retailer, please visit https://www.advancednutrients.com/authorized-retailers/.

Columbus Dispensary Tries to Fill Medical Marijuana Research Gap (Columbus Dispatch)

The cannabis industry took major strides forward in 2019, from Ohio’s launch of medical cannabis sales in January to Michigan’s announcement that it would start adult-use sales in December. Congress took up critical policy reform legislation, with the House passing the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act in September and a key House committee approving the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act in mid-November. 

Hemp and CBD were also a topic of industry conversation, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) releasing interim hemp regulations in October and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) holding its first-ever public hearing on CBD at the beginning of June.

Here, we’ve rounded up the industry’s biggest moments of the year.

1. Ohio Launches Medical Marijuana Sales

A retired government employee and a multiple sclerosis patient were among the first patients in Ohio to purchase medical cannabis on the crisp winter morning of Jan. 16, when the state’s first dispensaries opened to the public. We caught up with Cresco Labs’ CY+ Dispensary in Wintersville and The Forest in Sandusky about opening day and their first sales. Read more

2. Illinois Legalizes Cannabis

On May 30, with the clock ticking to adjournment, the Illinois Senate voted 38-17 to pass the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA), a comprehensive measure to legalize adult-use cannabis. The very next day, on May 31, the House approved the bill 66-47, sending it to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk. Pritzker, who called for legalization in his gubernatorial campaign, signed the legislation into law June 25, setting the stage for adult-use sales to launch Jan. 1, 2020. Read more

3. FDA Holds First-Ever Public Hearing on CBD

The FDA held a hearing May 31 to receive public comment on CBD in an effort to craft yet-to-be-released guidance that will likely take aim at developing industry standards and regulating label claims. The nearly 10-hour hearing saw more than 100 speakers provide testimony about the vast array of experiences and facets of the industry from the past few years. Read more

4. Louisiana Pharmacies Launch Medical Cannabis Sales

Louisiana launched its much-anticipated medical cannabis program in early August, and Baton Rouge’s Capitol Wellness Solutions made the first regulated medical cannabis sales in the state to two cancer patients and a veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We spoke with Capitol Wellness Solutions Founder and CEO Randy Mire about the first days of sales. Read more

5. Vaping-Related Lung Disease Prompts Public Health Questions Across Cannabis Industry

At the end of the summer, reports of vape-related lung illnesses and deaths grabbed national headlines and shook the cannabis industry to its core. As the weeks went on, vitamin E acetate, terpene content and the illicit market became the likely culprits, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed in early November that vitamin E acetate was to blame for patients’ lung injuries, although federal health officials were not ruling out other causes. Read more

6. U.S. House Passes SAFE Banking Act

In the first major floor vote in Washington, D.C., for any comprehensive cannabis reform legislation, the U.S. House voted Sept. 25 to pass the SAFE Banking Act, which would provide a safe harbor for financial institutions that work with cannabis business clients. The Senate proves to be a much more complicated political landscape for cannabis legislation, however, and the bill has yet to come up for a vote in that chamber. Read more

7. With White House Approval, USDA Posts Interim Hemp Regulations

Even with the 2018 Farm Bill legalizing hemp as a crop, the lack of federal guardrails has dragged several prohibition-era problems into the present. In late October, however, the USDA released its draft of interim rules for the hemp industry, prompting industry stakeholders and observers to look ahead to a new era in the business. Read more

8. Michigan Plans to Launch Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Dec. 1

Michigan regulators unveiled plans in mid-November to launch adult-use cannabis sales at the start of December, although only a handful of recreational business licenses have been issued and supply may be limited as the market finds its footing. Read more

9. Key House Committee Approves MORE Act to Federally Decriminalize Cannabis

2019 seems to be going out with a bang, as the House Judiciary Committee approved the MORE Act Nov. 20 in a historic vote that marks the first time a congressional committee has approved a piece of legislation to end federal cannabis prohibition. The bill, introduced in July by House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), would decriminalize cannabis federally by removing it from the Controlled Substances Act. Read more