Stevia Corp. Signs Consulting Agreement for Identification and Extraction of Cannabinoids from Cannabis
Company Uses Proven Chemistry to Extract Cannabinoids and Achieve Consistent Targeted Results with Aim to Develop First Major Brand in the Cannabis Industry.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – (MARKETWIRE – February 26, 2014) – Stevia Corp. (OTCQB: STEV) (“Stevia Corp” or the “Company”), a farm management company focused on the economic development of products that support a healthy lifestyle, including stevia and hemp, is pleased to announce the signing of a farm management and technology agreement with ebbu LLC (“ebbu”) of Arvada, Colorado.
Recently featured during a prime time interview on the Varney & Co. segment on Fox Business News (http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/3146801264001/marijuana-startup-offers-chill-energy-and-giggle-brands/), ebbu utilizes chemistry and proprietary formulations to deliver consistent dosages of identified cannabinoids resulting in consistent emotional feelings or moods by the user. By branding the various moods, such as ‘Chill’ or ‘Giggles’ the products are easy to understand and all the consumer needs to know is how they want to feel.
With expertise developed while working with the stevia plant and applying proprietary processes to breed and extract the plant’s medicinal properties for use in feed additives, Stevia Corp will work with ebbu to scale commercial extraction of identified cannabinoids. Extraction is the crucial first step in the analysis of medicinal plants and the production of targeted products. Proprietary processes then isolate the desired compounds to achieve purity, quality, consistency and effectiveness. The resulting compounds can then be used in a range of products from foods to cosmetics to pharmaceuticals. Scaling the extraction process from prototype to commercial operation requires specialized knowledge and skill that Stevia Corp will provide to ebbu.
The cannabis plant produces many chemical compounds called cannabinoids. There are more than 85 different cannabinoids that have been identified and isolated from the cannabis plant that exhibit varied effects and many of these are now being studied for their medical properties. ebbu’s proprietary processes will enable it to cost effectively isolate and purify targeted compounds enabling ebbu to both formulate its own retail brands as well as become a major supplier of purified compounds to the medical industry and others.
George Blankenbaker, Stevia Corp President, comments, “Many people don’t realize that the stevia plant is also a medicinal herb and we focus on extracting stevia’s medicinal properties to formulate feed additives. Our technologies and experience have synergistic application for the cannabis industry and while current federal and most state regulations prevent us from participating in the industry, it is our goal to position the company to take advantage of the shifting regulatory landscape where possible. We have been looking for a company in the cannabis industry that will be an industry game changer. When we discovered ebbu, it was a natural fit.”
Dooma Wendschuh, ebbu CEO, comments, “We are very impressed with Stevia Corp’s knowledge of the industry and expertise in agronomics and extraction technologies. We look forward to working with Stevia to further develop and commercialize our technology.”
Further details of the Company’s business, finances, appointments and agreements can be found as part of the Company’s continuous public disclosure as a reporting issuer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) EDGAR database. For more information visit: www.steviacorp.us.
About Stevia Corp. (OTCQB: STEV)
Stevia Corp. is a farm management company focused on developing high value products through proprietary plant breeding, excellent agricultural methodologies and innovative post-harvest techniques. For more information visit: www.steviacorp.us.
About ebbu
ebbu uses cutting-edge chemistry to offer top-quality branded marijuana products which allow individuals to customize their high, according to how they want to feel. ebbu products are reliable, consistent, intelligently labeled and designed to make purchasing decisions simple and fun. For more information visit: www.ebbu.com.
About the Cannabis Industry Sector
The cannabis plant has a history of use dating back thousands of years across many cultures and the plant produces 483 known compounds which include more than 85 cannabinoids. Various strains of the plant have been selectively bred for specific purposes. Industrial Cannabis (hemp) is grown primarily for fiber, seed and seed oils; Medicinal Cannabis is grown for its constituent cannabinoids as medical therapy to treat disease or alleviate symptoms; Recreational Cannabis is bred to produce high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for its psychoactive properties.
In 2004, the United Nations estimated that global consumption of cannabis indicated that approximately 4% of the adult world population (162 million people) used cannabis annually, and that approximately 0.6% (22.5 million) people used cannabis daily.
Food and fiber uses for industrial hemp are growing rapidly and have increased over 300 percent, to an estimated 25,000 products, in the past few years. Much of that growth is coming from the increased sales of hemp food products.
About the Stevia Industry Sector
Within two years of the USA market opening, Nielsen-based retail consumption data indicated almost $1 billion of retail sales for the sector. In 2010, stevia products were launched across thirty-five countries and in 38 categories. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that stevia could replace 20-30% of all dietary sweeteners. For more information visit: www.steviacorp.us.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, working with ebbu to scale commercial extraction of identified cannabinoids and seeking opportunities in the cannabis industry. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and development stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
