Global Cannabis Partnership Expands with Seven New Members

New members will adhere to the Responsible Cannabis Framework, a world first

SAINT JOHN, NB, Dec. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - The Global Cannabis Partnership (GCP) is pleased to announce today the addition of seven new Members as it continues to grow internationally, bringing its total membership number to 31.

The GCP welcomes Cannvas MedTech Inc., Compass Cannabis Clinic / Starbuds Canada, Constance Therapeutics, MediPharm Labs Corp., Nutrasource Pharmaceutical & Neutraceutical Services, Strainprint^TM Technologies Ltd. and YSS by Solo.

"There's a growing interest in the GCP as more stakeholders recognize the importance and value of working together on industry-wide CSR policies and programs," says Kim Wilson, Executive Director. "At a time when everyone is learning as they go, and as this nascent industry develops around the world, now is the time to work collaboratively, share insights and knowledge, and set the bar for socially responsible practices."

The Member category is open to government agencies, licensed producers, national associations, industry partners and community groups from the global cannabis industry. Neither an advocacy nor a lobby group, the GCP represents a cross-section of organizations that play – or will play – a role in the legal, adult-use recreational cannabis supply chain. The GCP mirrors successful initiatives in other industry sectors, such as alcohol, gaming, pharmaceuticals and forestry.

The GCP is working with two of its Founding Members, PwC Canada and McCarthy Tétrault, to establish itself as a non-profit legal entity, and finalize a governance structure led by a board of directors. The development of the Responsible Cannabis Framework, a worldwide social responsibility standard, is near completion and will be launched in 2019.

A full list of Founding Members and Members can be found at globalcannabispartnership.com.

For information about joining the GCP, contact Kim Wilson, Executive Director, at 506.646.9960 or kim@globalcannabispartnership.com.

About the Global Cannabis Partnership:
Founded by Revolution Strategy, the Global Cannabis Partnership (GCP) is a collaboration of leaders in the government-sanctioned, adult-use recreational cannabis industry. With representation from government, private-sector and affiliate organizations, the GCP is creating an international standard for the safe and responsible production, distribution and consumption of legal recreational cannabis. One of its first activities will be to create a Responsible Cannabis Framework, to shape the face of social responsibility in the recreational cannabis industry. For more information, visit globalcannabispartnership.com.

New GCP Member Quotes:

Cannvas MedTech Inc.:
"The Global Cannabis Partnership has done an admirable job setting forth a vision to establish standards for informed cannabis usage and social responsibility across the cannabis industry, and we are pleased to join their esteemed network of agencies and organizations dedicated to elevating the sector's commitment to CSR," says Daniel Davidzon, Director of Strategy and Education, Cannvas MedTech Inc. "We look forward to working with the Global Cannabis Partnership to help Canadians curious about cannabis determine whether it's beneficial to their lifestyle and learn more about its potential health benefits."

Compass Cannabis Clinic / Starbuds Canada:
"Being leaders within this new cannabis industry, we have a duty to ensure that we are not only abiding by the laws and regulations set out, but also striving to hold ourselves to a higher standard," says Dave Martyn, President of Starbuds and Compass Cannabis Clinic. "By joining the Global Cannabis Partnership and working alongside like-minded leaders within the Canadian cannabis space, we can set a global standard around education, responsible consumption and harm reduction. As the first G7 country to legalize recreational cannabis, we have a real opportunity to solidify Canada as a global cannabis leader and to build a responsible cannabis framework that Canadians can trust."

Constance Therapeutics:
"Constance Therapeutics is pleased to extend its mission of evidence-based, standardized formulations with like-minded cannabis industry pioneers by joining the Global Cannabis Partnership," says Constance Finley, Founder & CEO of Constance Therapeutics. "Our efforts to introduce lab accreditation such as ISO 9000, GMP manufacturing and GAP growing to the ever-expanding California cannabis market is furthered by our affiliation with this premier effort to put the consumer first. We are pleased to be the initial member of the GCP on the West Coast in the U.S."

MediPharm Labs Corp.:
"We're pleased to join this industry-leading organization that is helping to connect producers and researchers around the world. We look forward to being at the table to uphold an elevated ethos for all Members and to educate the public about beneficial, responsible use," says Sybil Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer of MediPharm Labs Corp.

Nutrasource Pharmaceutical & Neutraceutical Services:
"Nutrasource is delighted to be the first contract research organization to join the GCP. As a company committed to scientific excellence, we feel the GCP is a top-tier association and are excited to be members alongside these exemplary cannabis companies and stakeholders," says William Rowe, President & CEO of Nutrasource. "Cannabis shows great potential for a variety of medical applications, and supporting this through high-quality clinical research and pharmacokinetic studies will be essential to the sector's success. We look forward to helping advance the cannabis category by providing end-to-end solutions based on quality science for claims substantiation and market entry for the entire range of cannabis and CBD portfolios in development today."

Strainprint^TM Technologies Ltd.:
"Strainprint was founded on providing data and analytics to support responsible cannabis use; it's the core of what we do. We're thrilled to be part of the Global Cannabis Partnership along with so many other great cannabis leaders. Collectively we will leverage our Canadian expertise to build frameworks that help legitimize and professionalize the entire global cannabis economy," says Andrew Muroff, CEO of Strainprint Technologies Ltd.  

YSS by Solo:
"Retailers are the front line of the new legalized cannabis industry and therefore share a critical role in the communication and adoption of standards for social responsibility," says Theo Zunich, Vice President, Corporate Development at Solo Growth Corp. "Trust is the core retail principle at YSS by Solo and broader social acceptance is key to building trust. We are incredibly excited to join peers and partners with aligned values to collectively work to establish a framework and positive voice for social responsibility within the cannabis industry."

Additional New GCP Member Information:

Cannvas MedTech Inc. is a leading digital cannabis education and business technology company. We design and build customer-centric solutions enabling our partners to harness the power of data and truly understand their customers, industry and key business drivers.

Compass Cannabis Clinic / Starbuds Canada, part of North America's fastest growing cannabis network, is changing the way Canadians think about cannabis and its many uses. Through a joint venture with Compass Cannabis Clinic, Starbuds is coming to Canada with an aggressive expansion plan across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Founded in 2013, Starbuds was the first retail outlet to receive licensing when Colorado legalized recreational cannabis. With 13 locations now operating across Colorado and Maryland, Starbuds also has licensing to operate in Louisiana and Massachusetts. In 2017, Starbuds generated over $50 million in revenue.

Constance Therapeutics is a vertically integrated medicinal cannabis company producing standardized, science-based whole-plant cannabis extracts. These extracts fill the gap between traditional pharmaceuticals and commonplace cannabis products, providing much needed additional treatment options for physicians and their patients. Since 2008, the company has employed stringent, science-based processes and standards to ensure the highest quality and consistency.

MediPharm Labs Corp. has the distinction of being the first company in Canada to become a licensed producer for cannabis oil production under the ACMPR without first receiving a cannabis cultivation licence. This expert focus on cannabis concentrates from our cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) and ISO standard clean rooms and critical environments laboratory, allows MediPharm Labs to produce purified, pharmaceutical-grade cannabis oil and concentrates for advanced derivative products. MediPharm Labs has invested in an expert research-driven team, state-of-the-art technology, downstream extraction methodologies and purpose-built facilities to create pure, safe and precisely-dosed cannabis products for global patients and consumers. MediPharm Labs was recently named Start-up of the Year at the Canadian Cannabis Awards.

Nutrasource Pharmaceutical & Neutraceutical Services is a premier contract research organization (CRO) that brings unparalleled expertise in nutrition, regulatory affairs, and pharmaceutical science to help clients achieve compliance and gain market entry for health products globally. With nearly 20 years' experience across the entire product spectrum from foods and supplements to pharmaceuticals, Nutrasource provides vertically integrated solutions and unmatched scientific acumen in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries to design and execute clinical trials as well as develop regulatory strategies that provide a unique advantage in product commercialization. No other CRO has the combination of personnel, with the breadth and depth of experience in both pharmaceutical development and natural health products, providing the leadership needed to launch products with strong science and regulatory confidence – from concept to claim.

Founded in Toronto in 2016, Strainprint^TM Technologies Ltd. is the leading demand-side cannabis data and analytics company. With the world's largest longitudinal, observational data set of its kind and a mission to advance the scientific understanding of cannabis and its legitimization as a mainstream therapy, Strainprint helps medical cannabis patients and doctors to use cannabis in the most effective and responsible way possible. The Strainprint^TM data platform supports global cannabis research and provides advanced business intelligence and treatment guidance to producers, retailers, medical practitioners, pharmacies, government and industry.

YSS by Solo is the retail operating brand of Solo Growth Corp., a cannabis retailer with the vision to become a premier retailer and the trusted destination for retail cannabis in Canada.  Since its launch in June 2018, YSS has leveraged management expertise in commercial real estate to build a strategic portfolio of future locations while managing financial commitments and has completed construction on its first three stores in Alberta. With over 22 years' experience gained at Solo Liquor, YSS management brings operational excellence in responsible control substance retail to the newly legalized cannabis industry. The YSS by Solo retail experience is built on five fundamental pillars: convenience, value, selection, team, and above all else, trust.

SOURCE Civilized Worldwide Inc. (Civilized)