Author: [email protected]

Release – Cocrystal Pharma Appoints Pharma Industry Veteran Fred Hassan to its Board of Directors

Posted on by [email protected]

Research News and Market Data on COCP

APRIL 24, 2023

BOTHELL, Wash., April 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: COCP) (Cocrystal or the Company) announces the appointment of Fred Hassan to its Board of Directors, increasing its Board membership to six. Mr. Hassan’s distinguished 40-year career includes serving in senior executive and director positions at global pharmaceutical companies and leading investment firms. Earlier this month, Cocrystal announced Mr. Hassan’s $2 million investment in the Company through an at-the-market private placement.

“It’s an honor to attract such a highly accomplished industry veteran to our Board,” said Roger Kornberg, PhD, Cocrystal Chairman, Chief Scientist and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board. “We expect that Fred’s significant experience will strengthen our corporate governance and his guidance will be instrumental in advancing our antiviral pipeline. On behalf of my fellow Directors, I welcome Fred and look forward to working together.”

“I appreciate Cocrystal’s tremendous potential in developing safe and effective antiviral therapies in priority indications of global concern,” said Mr. Hassan. “I’m impressed with the ability of the company’s structure-based discovery platform technology to efficiently discover and develop novel drug candidates. I look forward to working closely with Cocrystal’s Board and executive leadership to advance our pipeline toward commercialization.”

Mr. Hassan is Chairman of the investment firm Caret Group and a Director of Warburg Pincus LLC, a global private equity firm. From 2003 to 2009 Mr. Hassan served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Schering-Plough and from 2001 to 2003 he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pharmacia Corporation, a company via the merger of Monsanto Company and Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. He joined Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. as Chief Executive Officer in 1997. Earlier in his career Mr. Hassan held leadership positions with Wyeth, including serving as Executive Vice President and as a Director from 1995 to 1997, and with Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, including leading its U.S. pharmaceuticals business.

Mr. Hassan is a Director of Precigen, Inc., BridgeBio Pharma and Prometheus Biosciences, Inc., which earlier this month announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by Merck for approximately $10.8 billion. Previously he was a Director of Amgen, Inc. and Time Warner Inc. (now Warner Media, LLC). Over the course of his career, he has served on various other Boards including at Avon Products, Inc. and Bausch & Lomb, which was acquired by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.

Mr. Hassan has chaired several prominent pharmaceutical industry organizations including The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA). He received a BS in chemical engineering from the Imperial College of Science and Technology at the University of London and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

About Cocrystal Pharma, Inc.

Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing novel antiviral therapeutics that target the replication process of influenza viruses, coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2), hepatitis C viruses and noroviruses. For further information about Cocrystal, please visit www.cocrystalpharma.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the advancement of the Company’s pipeline toward commercialization and the Company’s potential for developing safe and effective antiviral therapies in priority indications of global concern. The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events. Some or all of the events anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties arising from inflation, interest rate increases, the current banking crisis and the Ukraine war on our Company, our collaboration partners, and on the U.S., U.K., Australia and global economies, including manufacturing and research delays arising from raw materials and labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and other business interruptions including any adverse impacts on our ability to obtain raw materials and test animals as well as similar problems with our vendors and our current Contract Research Organization (CRO) and any future CROs and Contract Manufacturing Organizations, the results of the studies for CC-42344 and CDI-988, the ability of our CROs to recruit volunteers for, and to proceed with, clinical studies, our and our collaboration partners’ technology and software performing as expected, financial difficulties experienced by certain partners, the results of future preclinical and clinical trials, the impact of COVID-19 (including long-term and pervasive effects of the virus), general risks arising from clinical trials, receipt of regulatory approvals, regulatory changes, development of effective treatments and/or vaccines by competitors, including as part of the programs financed by the U.S. government. Further information on our risk factors is contained in our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Investor Contact:
LHA Investor Relations
Jody Cain
310-691-7100
[email protected]

Media Contact:
JQA Partners
Jules Abraham
917-885-7378
[email protected]

Release – MustGrow Investor Webcast: Wednesday, April 26th at 4:00pm ET

Posted on by [email protected]

Research News and Market Data on MGROF

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, Canada, Apr. 24, 2023 – MustGrow Biologics Corp. (TSXV: MGRO) (OTC: MGROF) (FRA: 0C0) (the “Company” or “MustGrow”), announces that it will be hosting an investor webcast on Wednesday, April 26th at 4:00pm ET. MustGrow’s management team will be presenting on recent corporate progress, biological industry developments, and upcoming catalysts. The presentation will be followed by an audience Q&A session.

Live Webcast: Wednesday, April 26th at 4:00pm ET / 1:00pm PT
Register/View Here
Please join/register at least 5 minutes prior to the call.

Before April 26th, please email questions to [email protected] to be addressed during the Q&A portion of the webcast.

Sustainbile Food Security

One significant industry catalyst to be discussed during the webcast is the demand for safe and sustainable food security solutions. The interest in natural crop protection, food preservation, and fertility products is increasing as farmers, consumers, regulators, and investors seek organic alternatives to synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. Safe and effective solutions will be needed for future food security and environmentally sustainable agriculture.

Throughout 2022, MustGrow engaged in extensive market research, formulation activities, and prospective partnership discussions, and has added Soil Amendment and Biofertility programs to its growing global intellectual property portfolio which now covers: Biocontrol applications (including preplant soil fumigation, postharvest food preservation, bioherbicide), and now Soil Amendment and Biofertility applications.

MustGrow believes its Soil Amendment and Biofertility initiative will complement existing Biocontrol programs, which are currently under development with four global partners: Janssen PMP, Bayer, Sumitomo Corporation, and NexusBioAg.  These four partnered programs continue to achieve performance milestones and expand globally in scope and investment. MustGrow believes 2023 will be a pivotal year for commercial and strategic advancement in certain regions and crops.

———

About MustGrow

MustGrow is an agriculture biotech company developing organic biocontrol, soil amendment and biofertility products by harnessing the natural defense mechanism and organic materials of the mustard plant to sustainably protect the global food supply and help farmers feed the world. MustGrow and its leading global partners — Janssen PMP (pharmaceutical division of Johnson & Johnson), Bayer, Sumitomo Corporation, and Univar Solutions’ NexusBioAg — are developing mustard-based organic solutions to potentially replace harmful synthetic chemicals. Concurrenly, with new formulations derived from food-grade mustard, the Compmany is pursusing the adoption and use of it’s technology in the soil amendment and biofertily markets. Over 150 independent tests have been completed, validating MustGrow’s safe and effective approach to crop and food protection and yield enhancements.  Pending regulatory approval, MustGrow’s patented liquid products could be applied through injection, standard drip or spray equipment, improving functionality and performance features. Now a platform technology, MustGrow and its global partners are pursuing applications in several different industries from preplant soil treatment and weed control, to postharvest disease control and food preservation, to soil amendment and biofertility. MustGrow has approximately 49.7 million basic common shares issued and outstanding and 55.6 million shares fully diluted. For further details, please visit www.mustgrow.ca.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

“Corey Giasson”

Director & CEO
Phone: +1-306-668-2652
[email protected]

MustGrow Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this news release constitute “forward-looking statements” which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect the results, performance or achievements of MustGrow.

Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur” or “be achieved”.  Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements MustGrow makes regarding: (i) the investor webcast to be held on April 26th 2023; (ii) the ability of MustGrow’s Soil Amendment and Biofertility initiative to complement existing Biocontrol programs currently under development; and (iii) the anticipated commercial and strategic advancement of MustGrow in certain regions and crops in 2023.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of MustGrow to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, MustGrow.  Important factors that could cause MustGrow’s actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: (i) the preferences and choices of agricultural regulators with respect to product approval timelines; (ii) the ability of MustGrow’s partners to meet obligations under their respective agreements; and (iii) other risks described in more detail in MustGrow’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2021 and other continuous disclosure documents filed by MustGrow with the applicable securities regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedar.com. Readers are referred to such documents for more detailed information about MustGrow, which is subject to the qualifications, assumptions and notes set forth therein.

This release does not constitute an offer for sale of, nor a solicitation for offers to buy, any securities in the United States.

Neither the TSXV, nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV), nor the OTC Markets has approved the contents of this release or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

© 2023 MustGrow Biologics Corp. All rights reserved.

Release – CVG Announces First Quarter 2023 Earnings Call

Posted on by [email protected]

Research News and Market Data on CVGI

APRIL, 21, 2023

NEW ALBANY, Ohio, April 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CVG (NASDAQ: CVGI) will hold its quarterly conference call on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. ET, to discuss first quarter 2023 financial results. CVG will issue a press release and presentation prior to the conference call.

Toll-free participants dial (888) 886-7786 using conference code 74688048. International participants dial (416) 764-8658 using conference code 74688048. This call is being webcast and can be accessed through the “Investors” section of CVG’s website at ir.cvgrp.com where it will be archived for one year.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until May 17, 2023. To access the replay, toll-free callers can dial (877) 674-7070 using access code 688048.

About CVG

At CVG, we deliver real solutions to complex design, engineering and manufacturing problems while creating positive change for our customers, industries, and communities we serve. Information about the Company and its products is available on the internet at www.cvgrp.com.

Investor Relations Contact:
Ross Collins or Stephen Poe
Alpha IR Group
[email protected]

Source: Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc.

Release – ACCO Brands Corporation Announces First Quarter 2023 Earnings Webcast

Posted on by [email protected]

Research News and Market Data on ACCO

04/21/2023

LAKE ZURICH, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) today announced that it will release its first quarter 2023 earnings after the market close on May 4, 2023. The Company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the results on May 5 at 8:30 a.m. EST. The webcast can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of www.accobrands.com and will be available for replay.

About ACCO Brands Corporation

ACCO Brands, the Home of Great Brands Built by Great People, designs, manufactures and markets consumer and end-user products that help people work, learn, play and thrive. Our widely recognized brands include AT-A-GLANCE®, Five Star®, Kensington®, Leitz®, Mead®, PowerA®, Swingline®, Tilibra® and many others. More information about ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) can be found at www.accobrands.com.

Christopher McGinnis
Investor Relations
(847) 796-4320

Julie McEwan
Media Relations
(937) 974-8162

Source: ACCO Brands Corporation

Russell Reconstitution 2023, What Investors Should Know

Posted on by [email protected]
Image Credit: SL (Noble Capital Mkts)

 The Annual Russell Index Revision and Dates to Watch (2023)

The yearly process of recasting the Russell Indexes begins on Friday April 28 and will be complete by market opening on June 26. During the period in between, FTSE Russell will rank stocks for additions, for deletions and evaluate the companies to make sure they conform overall. The methodology for inserting and removing tickers in the Russell 3000, Russell 2000, and Russell 1000 is intentionally transparent to help eliminate price shocks. Price movements do of course occur along the way, and investors try to foresee and capitalize on them. Channelchek will be providing updates that may uncover opportunities, or at least provide an understanding of stock price swings during this period.

Background

Russell index products are widely used by institutional and retail investors throughout the world. There is more than $20.1 trillion currently benchmarked to a Russell index. This includes approximately $12.1 trillion benchmarked to the Russell US Equity indexes. The trading volume of some companies moving into an index will heighten around the last Friday in June as fund managers seek to maintain level tracking with their benchmark target.

Opportunity

For non-passive investing, determining which stocks may benefit from moving up to a large-cap index, down to a smaller one, or into or out of the measurements is an annual event causing volatility around stocks. There has, of course, the potential for very profitable long and short trades. And the potential for an unwitting investor to be holding a company moving out of an index, which could cause less interest in the stock, and perhaps unfortunate performance.

Active investors should make themselves aware of the forces at play so they may either get out of the way or determine if they should become involved by taking positions with those being added or those at the end of their reign within one of the Russell measurements.

Dramatic Valuation Shifts

The leading industries and altered market-cap of companies of a year ago have changed dramatically from last year’s reconstitution. This will be reflected in the 2023 rebalancing and is going to impact a much larger number of companies than most years. That is to say, a higher percentage of companies than normal will move in, out, or to another index, and may be subject to amplified price movement.

The 2023 Russell Reconstitution Schedule:

• Friday, April 28 – “Rank Day” – Index membership eligibility for 2023 Russell Reconstitution determined from constituent market capitalization at market close.

• Friday, May 19 – Preliminary index additions & deletions membership lists posted to the FTSE Russell website after 6 PM US eastern time.

•   Friday, May 26th, June 2nd, 9th and 16th – Preliminary membership lists (reflecting any updates) posted to the FTSE Russell website after 6 PM US eastern time.

• Monday, June 5th – “Lock-down” period begins with the updates to reconstitution membership considered to be final.

• Friday, June 24 – Russell Reconstitution is final after the close of the US equity markets.

• Monday, June 27 – Equity markets open with the newly reconstituted Russell US Indexes.

Take-Away

The annual reconstitution is a significant driver of dramatic shifts in some stock prices as portfolio managers have their holding needs shifted within a very short period of time. Longer-term demand for certain equities is altered as well. Sizable price movements and volatility are expected, especially around the last week in June. In fact, the opening day of the reconstitution is typically one of the highest trading-volume days of the year in the US equity markets.

The market event impacts more than $9 trillion of investor assets benchmarked to or invested in products based on the Russell US Indexes. Portfolio managers that are required to track one of these indexes will work to have minimal portfolio slippage away from their benchmark.  The days and weeks from April 28 through the last Monday in June can create opportunities for investors seeking to benefit from price moves, Channelchek will be covering the event as stocks to be added to, or removed from this year’s Russell Reconstitution and other information plays out.

Be sure to register to receive Channelchek updates and information.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

Release – 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. to Release Results for its Fiscal 2023 Third Quarter on Thursday, May 11, 2023

Posted on by [email protected]

Research News and Market Data on FLWS

Apr 20, 2023

JERICHO, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLWS) (the “Company”),a leading provider of gifts designed to help inspire customers to give more, connect more, and build more and better relationships, today announced that the Company will release financial results for its fiscal 2023 third quarter on Thursday, May 11, 2023. The press release will be issued prior to market opening and will be followed by a conference call with members of senior management at 8:00 a.m. (ET).

The conference call will be available via live webcast from the Investors section of the Company’s website at 1800flowersinc.com. A recording of the call will be posted on the website within two hours of the call’s completion. A telephonic replay of the call can be accessed beginning at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on May 11, 2023, through May 18, 2023, at: (US) 1-877-344-7529; (Canada) 855-669-9658; (International) 1-412-317-0088; enter conference ID: #4785326.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Some of the statements contained in the Company’s scheduled Thursday, May 11, 2023, press release and conference call regarding its results for its fiscal 2023 third quarter, other than statements of historical fact, may be forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the applicable statements. For a more detailed description of these and other risk factors, please refer to the Company’s SEC filings including its Annual Reports and Forms 10K and 10Q available at the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at 1800flowersinc.com. The Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements made in the scheduled conference call and any recordings thereof, or in any of its SEC filings, except as may be otherwise stated by the Company.

About 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is a leading provider of gifts designed to help inspire customers to give more, connect more, and build more and better relationships. The Company’s e-commerce business platform features an all-star family of brands, including: 1-800-Flowers.com®, 1-800-Baskets.com®, Cheryl’s Cookies®, Harry & David®, PersonalizationMall.com®, Shari’s Berries®, FruitBouquets.com®, Things Remembered®, Moose Munch®, The Popcorn Factory®, Wolferman’s Bakery®, Vital Choice®, Stock Yards® and Simply Chocolate®. Through the Celebrations Passport® loyalty program, which provides members with free standard shipping and no service charge across our portfolio of brands, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. strives to deepen relationships with customers. The Company also operates BloomNet®, an international floral and gift industry service provider offering a broad-range of products and services designed to help members grow their businesses profitably; Napco℠, a resource for floral gifts and seasonal décor; DesignPac Gifts, LLC, a manufacturer of gift baskets and towers; and Alice’s Table®, a lifestyle business offering fully digital livestreaming and on demand floral, culinary and other experiences to guests across the country. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. was recognized among the top 5 on the National Retail Federation’s 2021 Hot 25 Retailers list, which ranks the nation’s fastest-growing retail companies, and was named to the Fortune 1000 list in 2022. Shares in 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, ticker symbol: FLWS. For more information, visit 1800flowersinc.com or follow @1800FLOWERSInc on Twitter.

FLWS-COMP
FLWS-FN

Investor:

Andy Milevoj

(516) 237-4617

[email protected]



Media:

Cherie Gallarello

[email protected]

Source: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.

Release – Direct Digital Holdings to Report First Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Posted on by [email protected]

Research News and Market Data on DRCT

April 20, 2023 9:00am EDTDownload as PDF

HOUSTON, April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Direct Digital Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRCT) (“Direct Digital Holdings” or the “Company”), a leading advertising and marketing technology platform operating through its companies Colossus Media, LLC (“Colossus SSP”), Huddled Masses LLC (“Huddled Masses”) and Orange142, LLC (“Orange142”), today announced that the Company will report financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2023 ended March 31, 2023 on Thursday, May 11, 2023 after the U.S. stock market closes. Management will host a conference call and webcast on the same day at 5:00 PM ET to discuss the results.

The live webcast and replay can be accessed at https://ir.directdigitalholdings.com/.

About Direct Digital Holdings
Direct Digital Holdings (Nasdaq: DRCT), owner of operating companies Colossus SSP, Huddled Masses, and Orange 142, brings state-of-the-art sell- and buy-side advertising platforms together under one umbrella company. Direct Digital Holdings’ sell-side platform, Colossus SSP, offers advertisers of all sizes extensive reach within general market and multicultural media properties. The company’s subsidiaries Huddled Masses and Orange142 deliver significant ROI for middle market advertisers by providing data-optimized programmatic solutions at scale for businesses in sectors that range from energy to healthcare to travel to financial services. Direct Digital Holdings’ sell- and buy-side solutions manage over 100,000 clients monthly, generating over 100 billion impressions per month across display, CTV, in-app and other media channels. Direct Digital Holdings is the ninth black-owned company to go public in the U.S and was named a top minority-owned business by The Houston Business Journal.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/direct-digital-holdings-to-report-first-quarter-2023-financial-results-301802480.html

SOURCE Direct Digital Holdings

Released April 20, 2023

Release – Labrador Gold Intersects 5.22g/t Au Over 2.8M Including 22.02g/t Over 0.4M

Posted on by [email protected]

Research News and Market Data on NKOSF

Extends Big Vein to 722 Metres Strike Length

April 20, 2023 08:00 ET

TORONTO, April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Labrador Gold Corp. (TSX.V:LAB | OTCQX:NKOSF | FNR: 2N6) (“LabGold” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce results from recent drilling targeting the highly prospective Appleton Fault Zone. The drilling is part of the Company’s ongoing 100,000 metre diamond drilling program at its 100% owned Kingsway Project.

Highlights of the drilling include an intersection of 5.22g/t Au over 2.80 metres from 418.6 metres that included 22.02g/t Au over 0.4 metres in Hole K-22-214B which also included 8.62 g/t Au over 0.7 metres from 496 metres. This hole was a wedge off Hole K-22-214 that was previously abandoned in mineralization at 486 metres due to excessive fracturing after intersecting 1.19g/t Au over 41.8 metres from 397 metres that included 2.32g/t Au over 18.6 metres including 61.15g/t Au over 0.3 metres (see news release dated March 2, 2023). Thes two holes form part of a new mineralized zone, the Greenmantle Zone, that lies below the HTC Zone at a vertical depth of 415 metres.

Hole K-23-225, a 100m step out to the northeast intersected 1g/t Au over 10.1 metres from 46.9 metres, that included an interval of 2.28g/t over 2.26 metres containing visible gold.

The Big Vein SW zone was extended a further 60 metres to the southwest with intersections of 3.69g/t Au over 2.97 metres from 389.41 metres including 12.05g/t Au over 0.59 metres in Hole K-23-216 and 1.95g/t Au over 9 metres including 8.97g/t Au over 1.6 metres in Hole K-23-218.

“Our aggressive step outs to the northeast and southwest continue to intersect gold mineralization at Big Vein which has now been extended to 722 metres in strike length and remains open in both directions. In addition, the discovery of the Greenmantle zone demonstrates the potential for continued mineralization at depth,” said Roger Moss, President and CEO of Labrador Gold Corp. “Recent 3D modelling has given us a much better understanding of the structural complexity and controls on gold distribution at Big Vein. Mineralization is closely associated with splays off the Appleton Fault Zone which we now believe to run through Big Vein. This interpretation will guide our drilling as we seek to continue to expand Big Vein along strike and at depth.”

Hole IDFrom (m)To (m)Width (m)Au (g/t)Zone
K-23-22546.9057.0010.101.00Big Vein
including47.6449.902.262.28
K-23-218104.70105.701.001.56Big Vein SW
 385.00394.009.001.95
including386.10387.701.608.97
including386.10387.000.9012.18
K-23-216267.00268.001.003.24Big Vein SW
 389.41392.382.973.69
including389.41390.000.5912.05
K-22-215137.00140.003.002.75Big Vein
including137.77138.240.4714.37
K-22-214B400.40411.0010.601.06Green Mantle
including407.00408.301.302.53
 418.60421.402.805.22
including419.75420.150.4022.02
 442.65448.005.351.19
 473.00475.402.401.20
 496.00496.700.708.62

Table 1. Summary of assay results. All intersections are downhole length as there is insufficient Information to calculate true width.

Over 69,000 metres have been drilled to date out of the planned 100,000 metre program. Assays are pending for samples from approximately 3,500 metres of core.

The Company has approximately $15 million in cash and is well funded to carry out the remaining 31,000 metres of the planned drill program as well as further exploration to add to the current pipeline of drill targets on the property.

Figure 1. Plan map of Big Vein showing significant intersections.

Hole IDEastingNorthingElevation (m)AzimuthInclinationDepth (m)
K-23-225661623543546047.714550275
K-23-218661249.3543486042.814045572
K-23-21666129954348844214045526.24
K-22-215661297.1543488046.613045565
K-22-214 B661579543537048.614560676

Table 2. Drill hole collar details

QA/QC

True widths of the reported intersections have yet to be calculated. Assays are uncut. Samples of HQ split core are securely stored prior to shipping to Eastern Analytical Laboratory in Springdale, Newfoundland for assay. Eastern Analytical is an ISO/IEC17025 accredited laboratory. Samples are routinely analyzed for gold by standard 30g fire assay with atomic absorption finish as well as by ICP-OES for an additional 34 elements. Samples containing visible gold are assayed by metallic screen/fire assay, as are any samples with fire assay results greater than 1g/t Au. The company submits blanks and certified reference standards at a rate of approximately 5% of the total samples in each batch.

Qualified Person

Roger Moss, PhD., P.Geo., President and CEO of LabGold, a Qualified Person in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101, has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this release.

The Company gratefully acknowledges the Newfoundland and Labrador Ministry of Natural Resources’ Junior Exploration Assistance (JEA) Program for its financial support for exploration of the Kingsway property.

About Labrador Gold
Labrador Gold is a Canadian based mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and exploration of prospective gold projects in Eastern Canada.

Labrador Gold’s flagship property is the 100% owned Kingsway project in the Gander area of Newfoundland. The three licenses comprising the Kingsway project cover approximately 12km of the Appleton Fault Zone which is associated with gold occurrences in the region, including those of New Found Gold immediately to the south of Kingsway. Infrastructure in the area is excellent located just 18km from the town of Gander with road access to the project, nearby electricity and abundant local water. LabGold is drilling a projected 100,000 metres targeting high-grade epizonal gold mineralization along the Appleton Fault Zone with encouraging results. The Company has approximately $15 million in working capital and is well funded to carry out the planned program.

The Hopedale property covers much of the Florence Lake greenstone belt that stretches over 60 km. The belt is typical of greenstone belts around the world but has been underexplored by comparison. Work to date by Labrador Gold show gold anomalies in rocks, soils and lake sediments over a 3 kilometre section of the northern portion of the Florence Lake greenstone belt in the vicinity of the known Thurber Dog gold showing where grab samples assayed up to 7.8g/t gold. In addition, anomalous gold in soil and lake sediment samples occur over approximately 40 km along the southern section of the greenstone belt (see news release dated January 25th 2018 for more details). Labrador Gold now controls approximately 40km strike length of the Florence Lake Greenstone Belt.

The Company has 170,009,979 common shares issued and outstanding and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol LAB.

For more information please contact:             

Roger Moss, President and CEO Tel: 416-704-8291

Or visit our website at: www.labradorgold.com

Twitter: @LabGoldCorp

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. When used in this document, the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including those factors discussed in filings made by us with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties, such as actual results of current exploration programs, the general risks associated with the mining industry, the price of gold and other metals, currency and interest rate fluctuations, increased competition and general economic and market factors, occur or should assumptions underlying the forward looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, or expected. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6a933fde-2567-42e1-b694-134f973d74c2

Release – Ocugen To Present at Association For Research In Vision And Ophthalmology 2023 Annual Meeting

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April 20, 2023

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MALVERN, Pa., April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (Ocugen or the Company) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines, today announced that the Company will present on its innovative modifier gene therapy platform, including OCU400 for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis, OCU410 for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD), and OCU410ST for the treatment of Stargardt disease; along with OCU200, a novel biologic candidate to treat diabetic macular edema (DME), at The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2023 Annual Meeting in New Orleans from April 23-27, 2023.

“We are thrilled to share more detail on our unique modifier gene therapy platform, as well as our novel biologics ophthalmic product pipeline with the professional community at ARVO,” commented Arun Upadhyay, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and Head of Research, Development and Medical at Ocugen. “It is especially exciting to be at ARVO just following positive preliminary safety and efficacy results from the Phase 1/2 trial of OCU400 for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa. We look forward to highlighting this most recent news along with the work we are doing across our ophthalmology portfolio to combat hard-to-treat blindness diseases affecting millions of patients globally,” Dr. Upadhyay concluded.

Poster Presentation:

Title: Modifier Gene Approach Using OCU410 for Dry AMD Therapy: One Gene—Multiple Targets 
Authors: Dinesh Singh, Mohamed Nsaibia, Sree Kattala, Subechhya Neupane, Matthew Ritts, Arun Upadhyay
Presenter: Dinesh Singh, Associate Director, Discovery, Ocugen
Presentation Type/Number: Poster Session, 755-C0356
Location: Exhibit Hall
Date: Sunday, April 23, 2023
Time: Noon – 1:45 p.m. CDT

Exhibitor Presentations (Exhibitor Education Lounge):

Title: Ocugen—OCU400—Modifier Gene Therapy for Treatment of Inherited Retinal Diseases: Retinitis Pigmentosa & Leber Congenital Amaurosis
Presenter: Arun Upadhyay, PhD, CSO and Head of Research, Development and Medical, Ocugen
Date: Monday, April 24, 2023
Time: 2 p.m. CDT

Title: Ocugen—OCU410 & OCU410ST—Nuclear Receptor Gene RORA as a Potential Therapeutic for Dry AMD and Stargardt disease
Presenter: Dinesh Singh, Associate Director, Discovery, Ocugen
Date: Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Time: 2 p.m. CDT

Title: Ocugen—OCU200—A Novel Biologic for the Treatment of DME, DR, and Wet AMD
Presenter: Pushpendra Singh, Director, Cell and Gene Therapy, Ocugen
Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Time: 2 p.m. CDT

About OCU400
OCU400 is the Company’s gene-agnostic modifier gene therapy product based on NHR gene, NR2E3. NR2E3 regulates diverse physiological functions within the retina—such as photoreceptor development and maintenance, metabolism, phototransduction, inflammation and cell survival networks. Through its drive functionality, OCU400 resets altered/affected cellular gene-networks and establishes homeostasis—a state of balance, which has potential to improve retinal health and function in patients with inherited retinal diseases. These diseases, combined, account for approximately 125,000 cases in the U.S.

About OCU410 and OCU410ST
OCU410 is a modifier gene therapy product candidate being developed for the treatment of dry AMD. OCU410 utilizes an AAV delivery platform for the retinal delivery of the RORA (RAR Related Orphan Receptor A) gene. Various genes associated with AMD are regulated by RORA. The RORA protein plays an important role in lipid metabolism and demonstrates an anti-inflammatory role, which we believe could be a potential therapeutic candidate for dry AMD based on in-vitro and in-vivo (animal model) studies. Using the same technology as OCU410, Ocugen plans to submit an IND for Stargardt disease, an orphan eye disease, in Q2 2023.

About OCU200
OCU200 is a novel fusion protein consisting of human transferrin linked to human tumstatin. It exerts anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects by selective targeting to the retinal and choroidal tissues. OCU200 potentially showcases better bioavailability and tissue penetrance than tumstatin alone due to transferrin and provides distinct MOA binding through αVβ3 integrin pathways that can potentially reduce the number of injections for patients. OCU200 can potentially be used for the treatment of DME, diabetic retinopathy, and wet age-related macular degeneration. These diseases, combined, account for approximately 10 million cases in the U.S.

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patient’s lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
Head of Communications
[email protected]

Release – CoreCivic Announces 2023 First Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call Dates

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Research News and Market Data on CXW

April 20, 2023

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BRENTWOOD, Tenn., April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CoreCivic, Inc. (NYSE: CXW) (the Company) announced today that it will release its 2023 first quarter financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. A live broadcast of CoreCivic’s conference call will begin at 10:00 a.m. central time (11:00 a.m. eastern time) on Thursday, May 4, 2023.

To participate via telephone and join the call live, please register in advance here https://register.vevent.com/register/BI6394fffe952b47d497a2735e53d08f32. Upon registration, telephone participants will receive a confirmation email detailing how to join the conference call, including the dial-in number and a unique passcode.

Participants may access the audio-only webcast of the conference call from the Company’s website at www.corecivic.com under the “Events & Presentations” section of the “Investors” page. A replay of the webcast will be available for seven days.

About CoreCivic

CoreCivic is a diversified, government-solutions company with the scale and experience needed to solve tough government challenges in flexible, cost-effective ways. We provide a broad range of solutions to government partners that serve the public good through high-quality corrections and detention management, a network of residential and non-residential alternatives to incarceration to help address America’s recidivism crisis, and government real estate solutions. We are the nation’s largest owner of partnership correctional, detention and residential reentry facilities, and believe we are the largest private owner of real estate used by government agencies in the United States. We have been a flexible and dependable partner for government for 40 years. Our employees are driven by a deep sense of service, high standards of professionalism and a responsibility to help government better the public good. Learn more at www.corecivic.com.

Contact: Investors: Cameron Hopewell – Managing Director, Investor Relations – (615) 263-3024
Media: Steve Owen – Vice President, Communications – (615) 263-3107

Release – Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. Reschedules Start Time for First Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call on May 2, 2023

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Research News and Market Data on ARLP

Company Release – 4/20/2023 7:00 AM ET

TULSA, Okla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ: ARLP) will report its first quarter 2023 financial results before the market opens on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, as previously announced. In order to best accommodate analysts’ and investors’ ability to participate in the Company’s conference call, Alliance management will now host its first quarter conference call beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern that same day.

To participate in the conference call, dial (877) 407-0784 and request to be connected to the Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. earnings conference call. International callers should dial (201) 689-8560 and request to be connected to the same call. Investors may also listen to the call via the “investor relations” section of ARLP’s website at www.arlp.com.

An audio replay of the conference call will be available for approximately one week. To access the audio replay, dial U.S. Toll Free (844) 512-2921; International Toll (412) 317-6671 and request to be connected to replay using access code 13737890.

About Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.

ARLP is a diversified energy company that is currently the largest coal producer in the eastern United States, supplying reliable, affordable energy domestically and internationally to major utilities, metallurgical and industrial users. ARLP also generates operating and royalty income from mineral interests it owns in strategic coal and oil & gas producing regions in the United States. In addition, ARLP is evolving and positioning itself as a reliable energy partner for the future by pursuing opportunities that support the advancement of energy and related infrastructure.

News, unit prices and additional information about ARLP, including filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), are available at www.arlp.com. For more information, contact the investor relations department of ARLP at (918) 295-7673 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Cary P. Marshall
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(918) 295-7673
[email protected]

Source: Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.

The Covert Threat of Antibiotic Tolerance

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Image Credit: Matthias Pastwa (Flickr)

Looming Behind Antibiotic Resistance is Another Bacterial Threat – Antibiotic Tolerance

Have you ever had a nasty infection that just won’t seem to go away? Or a runny nose that keeps coming back? You may have been dealing with a bacterium that is tolerant of, though not yet resistant to, antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance is a huge problem, contributing to nearly 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019. But antibiotic tolerance is a covert threat that researchers have only recently begun to explore.

Antibiotic tolerance happens when a bacterium manages to survive for a long time after being exposed to an antibiotic. While antibiotic-resistant bacteria flourish even in the presence of an antibiotic, tolerant bacteria often exist in a dormant state, neither growing nor dying but putting up with the antibiotic until they can “reawaken” once the stress is gone. Tolerance has been linked to the spread of antibiotic resistance.

This article was republished with permission from The Conversation, a news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It represents the research-based findings and thoughts of Megan Keller, Ph.D. Candidate in Microbiology, Cornell University.

I am a microbiologist who studies antibiotic tolerance, and I seek to uncover what triggers tolerant bacteria to enter a protective dormant slumber. By understanding why bacteria have the ability to become tolerant, researchers hope to develop ways to avoid the spread of this ability. The exact mechanism that sets tolerance apart from resistance has been unclear. But one possible answer may reside in a process that has been overlooked for decades: how bacteria create their energy.

Cholera and Antibiotic Tolerance

Many antibiotics are designed to break through the bacteria’s outer defenses like a cannonball through a stone fortress. Resistant bacteria are immune to the cannonball because they can either destroy it before it damages their outer wall or change their own walls to be able to withstand the impact.

Tolerant bacteria can remove their wall entirely and avoid damage altogether. No wall, no target for the cannonball to smash. If the threat goes away before too long, the bacterium can rebuild its wall to protect it from other environmental dangers and resume normal functions. However, it is still unknown how bacteria know the antibiotic threat is gone, and what exactly triggers their reawakening.

My colleagues and I at the Dörr Lab at Cornell University are trying to understand processes of activation and reawakening in the tolerant bacteria responsible for cholera, Vibrio cholerae. Vibrio is rapidly evolving resistance against various types of antibiotics, and doctors are concerned. As of 2010, Vibrio is already resistant to 36 different antibiotics, and this number is expected to continue rising.

To study how Vibrio develops resistance, we chose a strain that is tolerant to a class of antibiotics called beta-lactams. Beta-lactams are the cannonball sent to destroy the bacteria’s fortress, and Vibrio adapts by activating two genes that temporarily remove its cell wall. I witnessed this phenomenon using a microscope. After removing its cell wall, the bacteria activate even more genes that morph it into fragile globs that can survive the effects of the antibiotic. Once the antibiotic is removed or degraded, Vibrio returns to its normal rod shape and continues to grow.

In people, this process of tolerance is seen when a doctor prescribes an antibiotic, typically doxycycline, to a patient infected with cholera. The antibiotic temporarily seems to stop the infection. But then the symptoms start back up again because the antibiotics never fully cleared the bacteria in the first place.

The ability to revert back to normal and grow after the antibiotic is gone is the key to tolerant survival. Exposing Vibrio to an antibiotic for a long enough time would eventually kill it. But a standard course of antibiotics often isn’t long enough to get rid of all the bacteria even in their fragile state.

However, taking a medicine for a prolonged period can harm healthy bacteria and cells, causing further discomfort and illness. Additionally, misuse and extended exposure to antibiotics can increase the chances of other bacteria residing in the body becoming resistant.

Other Bacteria Developing Tolerance

Vibrio isn’t the only species to exhibit tolerance. In fact, researchers have recently identified many infectious bacteria that have developed tolerance. A bacteria family called Enterobacteriaceae, which include major food-borne disease pathogens Salmonella, Shigella and E. coli, are just a few of the many types of bacteria that are capable of antibiotic tolerance.

As every bacterium is unique, the way one develops tolerance seems to be as well. Some bacteria, like Vibrio, erase their cell walls. Others can alter their energy sources, increase their ability to move or simply pump out the antibiotic.

I recently found that a bacterium’s metabolism, or the way it breaks down “food” to make energy, may play a significant role in its ability to become tolerant. Different structures within a bacterium, including its outer wall, are made of specific building blocks like proteins. Stopping the bacterium’s ability to craft these pieces weakens its wall, making it more likely to take damage from the outside environment before it can take the wall down.

Tolerance and Resistance are Connected

Although there has been considerable research on how bacteria develop tolerance, a key piece of the puzzle that has been neglected is how tolerance leads to resistance.

In 2016, researchers discovered how to make bacteria tolerant in the laboratory. After repeated exposure to different antibiotics, E. coli cells were able to adapt and survive. DNA, the genetic material containing instructions for cell function, is a fragile molecule. When DNA is damaged rapidly by stress, such as antibiotic exposure, the cell’s repair mechanisms tend to mess up and cause mutations that can create resistance and tolerance. Because E. coli is similar to many different types of bacteria, these researchers’ findings revealed that, ironically, essentially any bacteria can develop tolerance if pushed to their limits by the antibiotics meant to kill them.

Another recent key discovery was that the longer bacteria remain tolerant, the more likely they are to develop mutations leading to resistance. Tolerance allows bacteria to develop a resistance mutation that reduces their chances of being killed during antibiotic treatment. This is especially relevant to bacterial communities often seen in biofilms that tend to coat high-touch surfaces in hospitals. Biofilms are slimy layers of bacteria that ooze a protective jelly that makes antibiotic treatment difficult and DNA sharing between microbes easy. They can induce bacteria to evolve resistance. These conditions are thought to mimic what could be happening during antibiotic-treated infections, in which many bacteria are living next to one another and sharing DNA.

Researchers are calling for more research into antibiotic tolerance with the hope that it will lead to more robust treatments in both infectious diseases and cancers. And there is reason to be hopeful. In one promising development, a mouse study found that decreasing tolerance also reduced resistance.

Meanwhile, there are steps everyone can take to aid in the battle against antibiotic tolerance and resistance. You can do this by taking an antibiotic exactly as prescribed by a doctor and finishing the entire bottle. Brief, inconsistent exposure to a medicine primes bacteria to become tolerant and eventually resistant. Smarter use of antibiotics by everyone can stop the evolution of tolerant bacteria.

What the Marijuana Bill Aims to Resolve

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Will Marijuana Stocks Regain Energy if this Federal Bill Passes?

Federal legalization concerning medical and recreational marijuana would go a long way to light up the companies that now operate legally under state laws. A group of bipartisan lawmakers in Washington refiled a bill last week to regain momentum toward national cannabis legalization. The incremental reform would direct the attorney general to create a commission for the purpose of making recommendations on a regulatory system for cannabis modelled from alcohol laws and oversight.

On April 13, the PREPARE Act (Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult-Use Regulated Environment Act) was presented by Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). The bill sponsored by this senior House Democrat along with a Republican lawmaker is intended to lay the groundwork for federal marijuana legislation.

“With nearly every state adopting its own set of cannabis reforms, an end to federal cannabis prohibition is inevitable,” Joyce, co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, said in a press release.

“Now is the time for the federal government to respect the will of our constituents and begin the conversation on fair and effective cannabis regulation,” he said. “The PREPARE Act will give lawmakers a bipartisan platform to legislate not only a fair and responsible end to prohibition but also a safer future for our communities.”

The prospects of comprehensive marijuana legalization advancing in the Republican-controlled House this session will not be without heated debate, but certain members have expressed confidence that modest reform could be achievable on a bipartisan basis. The PREPARE Act could represent an area of agreement.

“Americans across the political spectrum recognize that now is the time for cannabis reform, and the federal government should be ready to embrace and lead this change,” Jeffries said. “Since the failed war on drugs began over 50 years ago, the prohibition of marijuana has ruined lives, families and communities—particularly communities of color.”

“The PREPARE Act is one of the bipartisan solutions that will lay the groundwork to finally right these wrongs in a way that advances public safety and boosts our economy,” he said. “I am grateful to Congressman Joyce for reintroducing this important bill and his leadership to help the federal government be ready for the inevitable end to cannabis prohibition.”

While legalization was introduced last Congress, with Democrats in control of both chambers plus the White House, they did not advance on the Senate side, with leadership acknowledging the challenge of meeting a 60-vote threshold with a narrow majority.

Advocates of fewer restrictions on the federal level are also closely following developments on a package of incremental reforms that’s expected to contain marijuana banking and expungements legislation. Efforts to push that through last session similarly stalled out.

The PREPARE Act, meanwhile, is substantially identical to the version the same lawmakers filed last Congress, with just a few minor changes to the commission’s responsibilities and legislative appointments.

The Bill aims to provide for:

A “Commission on the Federal Regulation of Cannabis” it requires that within 30 days of the bill’s enactment that this is established by the attorney general. The commission would be responsible for understanding federal and state regulatory models for alcohol making recommendations about how they could advise marijuana regulations.

One key thing the commission’s report must address is the impact of marijuana criminalization, particularly as it concerns minority, low-income and veteran communities.

The panel would also examine the “lack of consistent regulations for cannabis product safety, use and labeling requirements,” including those related to youth safety, as well as the “lack of guidance for cannabis crop production, sale, intrastate, interstate, and international trade. “

It would also be required to make recommendations on how to undo cannabis-related banking and research barriers and also address measures to ensure the “successful coexistence of individual hemp and cannabis industries, including prevention of cross pollination of cannabis and hemp products.”

The panel would be mandated to study and make recommendations on “efficient cannabis revenue reporting and collecting, including efficient and tenable federal revenue frameworks.”

The panel would be required to issue a report to Congress within 12 months.

As part of the bill’s directive to assess risk and safety standards, the bill was revised for the current Congress to make it so the commission would also have to look at “requirements to protect youth and reduce harms to youth.”

In the previous version, it was the responsibility of the House minority leader to choose a candidate who was “medically licensed with extensive expertise and demonstrated research into cannabis use and medical therapies.” Under the revised bill, the majority leader would be in charge of that.

The panel would also include representatives of:

Department of Health and Human Services

Department of Justice

Department of Agriculture

Department of Veterans Affairs

Department of Interior

Department of Education

Department of Labor

Department of Commerce

National Institutes of Health

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

Food and Drug Administration

Internal Revenue Service

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Small Business Administration

U.S. Trade Representative

Some of the appointments would be made by the congressional leaders, and others would be selected by the attorney general. The bill also contains a stipulation that, “if after the commission is appointed there is a partisan imbalance of commission members, the congressional leaders of the political party with fewer members on the commission shall jointly name additional members to create partisan parity on the commission.”

The panel must also include a person formerly incarcerated for a non-violent cannabis use or possession crime, a substance use disorder prevention expert, a representative from a trade organization or nonprofit representing highly regulated adult goods and consumer package goods and two people who have worked to develop state-level regulatory systems.

Attorney General Merrick Garland, for his part, has repeatedly said that he doesn’t feel that intervening in states that have legalized cannabis is an appropriate use of Justice Department resources.

He said last month that the federal government is “still working on a marijuana policy” amid an ongoing administrative review into cannabis scheduling that President Joe Biden directed late last year.

Take Away

While states continue to move forward and pass laws allowing both recreational and medical marijuana, federal laws prevent access to the banking system, US postal service, and make them potentially prosecutable under federal law.

The re-introduced bill aims to open the door for these businesses to operate more freely, while at the same time make amends for harsh punishments imposed on those convicted of marijuana use in the past.

Overall, federal legalization of cannabis would energize the medical and recreational marijuana industries in the US, providing greater access, reduced legal risks, increased investment, tax revenue, and research opportunities.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

https://joyce.house.gov/posts/joyce-jeffries-reintroduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-prepare-for-inevitable-end-to-federal-cannabis-prohibition

https://jeffries.house.gov/legislation/