SAN DIEGO, April 20, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the public learns the truth about cannabis (hemp and marijuana), cannabis research, and accessibility, the stigma from decades-old false propaganda that began in the late 1930s is rapidly fading. Nearly 80 years later:

  • Legal cannabis is the fastest growing industry in the United States
  • Laws are changing: Federal enforcement ceases and returns to the State level
  • States are legalizing CBD-only marijuana strains
  • Cannabis consumers now range in age from toddlers to seniors – and even pets!
  • Significant breakthroughs are being made with cannabis-based research and orphan drug development
  • Cannabis is making headline news for its possible role in alleviating hard-hitting topics like concussions (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or "CTE", PTSD, etc.) and liver degeneration (Hepatic Encephalopathy or "HE")
  • Kentucky is planning a second hemp crop (the first included seeds provided by one of Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s portfolio investments)

Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC Pink:MJNA) is the first publicly traded cannabis company in the United States. In honor of "420" celebrations in medical and recreational cannabis states, the Company is spearheading a fresh start for the powerful ancient botanical by unveiling a fresh new look to the Medical Marijuana, Inc. website. Please see www.medicalmarijuanainc.com.

"Having personal experience with cannabinoid sciences as well as being the number seven investor in Medical Marijuana, Inc., I can attest that the Company and industry have come an extremely long way since the current leadership took over operations in 2011," states Stuart W. Titus, PhD and Chief Executive Officer of Medical Marijuana, Inc. "Since then, we have funded and witnessed incredible advances in cannabinoid sciences through many of MJNA's portfolio and investment companies. Each is leading the industry with their respective initiatives and we are thrilled to provide announcements of breakthroughs and growing public acceptance of cannabis as an everyday use product. Our collective goal is and always will be product safety, establishing industry standards and – most importantly – accessibility for all. Surprising to many, Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s focus is primarily on the industrial hemp that is accessible in all 50 states and more than 40 countries."

Titus continues, "Further in celebration of 420, we are announcing an upgrade to our HempMeds flagship product, Real Scientific Hemp Oil – to be called Real Hemp Meds Oil or R-HMO. The Company will have additional details of this new CBD Hemp Oil in the near future."

"Finally in keeping up with the changes in the industry, we felt it was very appropriate to update the look and functionality of the Medical Marijuana, Inc. website. Whether you are an investor or entrepreneur looking to get into the exploding 'green rush', or a consumer looking for the latest information on advances in cannabis-based research, the new website is a one-stop portal to a wealth of relevant information and access to all of the products in the MJNA portfolio of companies."

The News and Research section of the website provides the latest Company and industry information including the:

  • Advances in cannabis and cannabinoid research information
  • Latest statistics and information about the growth and change in the industrial hemp and medical marijuana industries including: growth and trends, political sentiment, and market updates
  • Breaking news and press coverage for Medical Marijuana, Inc. and its subsidiaries

Content features within the new Medical Marijuana, Inc. website include:

  • Research and Development of Cannabinoid-Based Pharmaceuticals
  • Development of Commercial Cannabidiol (CBD) Hemp Oil Products
  • Production and Import of CBD Hemp Oil Products
  • Sales, Marketing & Distribution of Legal Hemp Oil Products
  • Business Services for the Legal Cannabis Industry

Functionality within the new Medical Marijuana, Inc. website that includes benefits for shareholders:

  • A new eCommerce site featuring all of the Medical Marijuana, Inc. brands and special discounts for verified shareholders
  • Shareholder Rewards Program
  • One-click Access to the new Investor Relations Team
  • All new Educational Content for Industry Enthusiasts, Potential Investors and Customers

Many of Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s portfolio investments, companies and brands have been featured in the news and currently include:

HempMeds™

HempMeds™ offers mainstream marketing, sales, customer service, and logistics for the cannabis industry. HempMeds™ is a corporate portfolio company of Medical Marijuana, Inc. and the Company's exclusive master distributor and contracted marketing company. In addition to handling sales and distribution, HempMeds™ is the communication hub for the Medical Marijuana, Inc. portfolio of companies.

KannaLife Sciences ("KannaLife")

KannaLife is an MJNA investment that was most recently featured in CNN's Weed 3: The Marijuana Revolution by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. The Company is a late stage biotechnology development company currently in pharmaceutical development of novel therapeutic agents designed for neuro-protection and neuro-modulation. The company holds two license agreements with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to utilize the US Government Patent (#6,630,507) on the therapeutic usage of cannabinoids, which derive from the cannabis plant family (industrial hemp or marijuana). KannaLife is presently conducting research at the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center in Doylestown, PA, for target drug candidates to treat Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) as well as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Both are oxidative stress diseases that affect cognitive and behavioral function.

Kannaway, LLC

Kannaway, LLC, is a network sales and marketing company specializing in the sales and marketing of hemp-based botanical products. Kannaway currently hosts weekly online sales meetings and conferences across the United States, offering unique insight and opportunity to sales professionals who are desirous of becoming successful leaders in the sale and marketing of hemp-based botanical products.

CanChew Biotechnologies

CanChew Biotechnologies is a recipient of HealthyLivinG Foundation's Triple Leaf Award. The Company focuses on the treatment of pain and other medical disorders with the application of cannabinoid medical products as well as food and nutraceutical products for general well-being. The company is focused on the R&D and execution of their clinical development plan and potential out-licensing of their technology. Clinical development focuses on the R&D of the formulation, production and the development of chewing gum-based products for the treatment of conditions like pain, nausea and vomiting, anorexia, spasticity and various other medical issues.

Dixie Botanicals™

Regarded as one of the most well recognized brands in the industry, Dixie Botanicals™ offers innovative hemp oil products for health conscious consumers. Our formulation experts include scientists, clinical herbalists and nutritionists who work to integrate our hemp oil into a variety of unique products. Dixie Botanicals' products contain naturally occurring cannabidiol (CBD) hemp oil from the mature stalk of the industrial hemp plant. We test and analyze our products from seed to shelf, ensuring that every natural product we offer is free from contaminants and of the highest quality possible. (Click to view test results.) For more information, visit: www.DixieBotanicals.com.

Wellness Managed Services

Wellness Managed Services provides management support and services to cooperatives, collectives, health and wellness facilities, and medical clinics throughout North America. The services offered range from practice management to product distribution. Our mission is to provide a comprehensive array of clinically supporting health and wellness products and services which will attract patients while providing for a fully operational, profitable enterprise. We seek to provide facilities and patients alike with the latest in quality products and support services that will serve the health and wellness community. For more info, click here.

MPSI

MPS International (MPSI) is a consulting firm that provides security consultative services to business and individuals in the legal cannabis industry. When security officers are needed, MPSI contracts exclusively with MPS Security to provide uniformed security management and officers.

MPSI was created as a specialized division of MPS Security. With over 46 years of experience providing professional security services, MPS Security is uniquely qualified to bring high quality security management and security solutions to the new and growing cannabis industry. Our professional experience and qualifications are helping to legitimize the expanding cannabis industry by reducing crime and assisting legal businesses and individuals to operate in accordance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations. For more details visit www.Security-MPSI.com, email security@security-mpsi.com or call (866) 678-4408.

Haenep Source®

Haenep Source® is a hemp lifestyle company offering fun vape and hemp lifestyle products with CBD hemp oil. The Southern California-based distributor of CBD-rich hemp oil lifestyle products mission is to bring CBD-rich hemp oil lifestyle products to everyone. For more information, visit www.HaenepSourcing.com

Canipa Holdings™

Canipa Holdings was formed to assist Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s expansion efforts in Europe, Middle East and Asia. Canipa Holdings™ focuses its efforts on obtaining product and marketing approvals as well as distribution partners for the entire line of Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s portfolio of products.

Red Dice Holdings

Red Dice Holdings, LLC is the owner of the "Dixie Brand" of products including "Dixie Botanicals". The company has over 70 unique consumer products and is one of the most recognizable cannabis and hemp brands in the world. The brands have been featured on 60 minutes, Forbes, Fortune Magazine and Fast Company to name a few.

Red Dice Holdings, LLC sells certain CBD based products direct to consumers, known as Dixie Botanicals. Additionally Red Dice looks to integrate other brands into its distribution and manufacturing platform while simultaneously licensing its "Brand(s) and IP" to other industry groups looking to manufacture and distribute products within their markets. Red Dice has a marketing, sales and licensing team, plus a second team of full time researchers and product development specialists who are tasked with product improvement and the development of new and unique delivery methods for those products.

Brands of Medical Marijuana, Inc. portfolio investments and companies include:

  • aNew Brands™
  • CanChew™ Gum
  • Defined Transformation™
  • Cibdex™
  • Cibderm™
  • Dixie Botanicals™
  • HempVĀP®
  • Holy Grail™
  • Kannakick™
  • Real Scientific Hemp Oil™ (RSHO™)
  • Rev!ve™

For more information, please visit the company's new website at: www.MedicalMarijuanaInc.com.

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.

CONTACT: Public Relations contact:
         Andrew Hard
         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

Medical Marijuana Inc Primary