IRVINE, CA, July 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTC: CBIS), a U.S. company specializing in the development of cannabinoid-based medicines, is pleased to announce the immediate launch of a new 40-acre industrial hemp research and development project in Nevada. Cannabis Science, American States University (ASU), FSO NAC / HRM Farms celebrate as the Lincoln County, Nevada industrial hemp property has just been approved by the Nevada Department of Agriculture Industrial Hemp Program. The Group will immediately commence its industrial hemp research operations on the 40-acre Lincoln County, Nevada property.

The Group believes it can bring in one and quite possibly two harvests this year. The primary purpose of the research initiative is to provide hands-on University professional training in agricultural industrial hemp research and development focused on creating pharmaceutical drugs targeting critical ailments while furthering the Group’s other industrial targets such as Alternate Biofuels, Construction, Clothing and Automobile Materials, and other industries. The University programs aim to provide affordable quality education to its students so as to achieve their career goals and excel in their chosen professions. 

The main research and development will focus on Cancer, PTSD, Chronic Pain, Arthritis, Parkinson’s Disease, Epilepsy, Autism, and HIV/AIDS. The research data collected will primarily be used for FDA and other clinical studies by creating a pharmaceutical drug development plan for key critical ailments. Other objectives for research and development include wholesale distribution to physicians and licensed wholesale manufacturers coupled with extraction research and development for green energy/fuel, construction materials, clothing fabric, paper manufacturing, food products, and vehicle production parts.

A key area of this Lincoln County Industrial Hemp Research & Economic Development Plan is job creation, and CBIS has provided many jobs across the country and through its University partners is anticipating creating a whole lot more through its unique and robust Industrial hemp Research Program. The vertical integration that allows for jobs to be provided through the development of local industrial hemp industry, healthcare infrastructure, water management, waste management, technology, communications, and housing is profound anywhere.

The CBIS Industrial Hemp Research & Economic Development Programs are growing stronger due to the many collaborations created within the recently launched Cannabis Science Global Consortium. The CBIS Global Consortium works as a framework and platform to cooperate and collaborate with stakeholders worldwide. Linking universities, foundations, corporations, and individuals to share research, ideas, and other relevant information, the CBIS Global Consortium implements a cutting-edge research program to develop medicines and delivery mechanisms from bench-to-bedside. The Global Consortium also enables the Company to more strategically coordinate its initiatives, including those focused on education, job creation, and skills training.

Last year in the San Joaquin County, Cannabis Science initiated their first Industrial Hemp Research Project with the Group, its pilot research commenced on approximately 26 acres as part of the larger Economic Development Plan inclusive of education, job creation, and drug development. Equivalent to the San Joaquin County Project, the Lincoln County Project will provide industrial hemp research opportunities, education opportunities, and skills training for community residents that will help create jobs and improve the overall economic conditions.

“Cannabis Science will leverage and build on our experiences in San Joaquin County,” stated Mr. Dabney. “We have a roadmap for what we want to do, in California, in Nevada, as well as every other State right across the Country.”

While the San Joaquin County Industrial Hemp Research & Economic Development project remains in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in Sacramento the Company is looking forward settling the case outside of court.

CBIS Group vs San Joaquin County et al.

On October 27, 2017, Cannabis Science, Inc. (the "Company"), along with its partners Winnemucca Shosoni MBS, American States University, Free Spirit Organics NAC and HRM Farms filed a Complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against ten San Joaquin County defendants including the Board of Supervisors, County Counsel; District Attorney and the Sheriff and against the federal Drug Enforcement Agency. 

Shortly after the initial filing the Plaintiffs learned the DEA was not involved and dismissed it. Accordingly, Plaintiffs were pleased to learn that the DEA was not involved with the subject seizure and was apparently unconcerned with the industrial hemp research project. 

The Complaint stems from a search warrant and subsequent seizure executed by the Defendants on the Plaintiff's 26.19-acre plot of land where it was growing industrial hemp. On November 17, 2017, CSI and the rest of the plaintiffs filed seven documents including 45 pages of pleadings, seven declarations, and 150 pages of exhibits asking the Court to issue a temporary restraining order. 

First Amended Complaint that contains more detail and alleges that every part of the disputed San Joaquin County Ordinance 4497 is defective or inaccurate in some fashion, attaching an unanswered letter from the Administrative Dean of America States University requesting a hearing days before the unannounced raid and seizure. The action was filed in the United States District Court in and for the Eastern District of California against San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors; San Joaquin County Counsel; Erin Hiroko Sakata; Miguel Villapudua; Katherine Miller; Tom Patti; Bob Elliott; Chuck Winn; San Joaquin County District Attorney; San Joaquin County Sheriff; Drug Enforcement Administration and Does 1-50 (collectively the "Defendants").

The original Complaint was filed in response to the Defendants entering onto the Plaintiffs' property and seizing their industrial hemp harvest and alleges: (1) Violation of Supremacy Clause/Preemption [U.S. Const. art. VI, cl. 2]; (2) Unconstitutional Vagueness [U.S. Const. am. 5, 14]; (3) Unlawful Bill of Attainder/Ex Post Facto [U.S. Const. art. I, § 9, cl. 3]; (4) Violation of Fifth Amendment - Procedural Due Process; and, (5) Violation of Fourth Amendment - Unlawful Seizure [42 U.S.C. §1983]. The Complaint requests for the following:

·      Temporary Restraining Order/Immediate Stay of Enforcement;

·      Return of Property Seized;

·      Preliminary Injunction;

·      Permanent Injunction;

·      Declaration re: Ordinance Is Void;

·      Declaration re: Search Warrant Is Void;

·      Declaration re: Seizure Was Unlawful;

·      Compensatory Damages; and

·      Punitive Damages.

The Complaint alleges that the Defendants: (a) drafted San Joaquin County Ordinance 4497 (the "Ordinance") specifically to criminalize the Plaintiffs' existing industrial hemp harvest; (b) determined the Plaintiffs violated the Ordinance; and, (c) enforced it by seizing the Plaintiffs' grow, with an estimated value of US $77 Million, without affording them an opportunity to meaningfully present their arguments to a judge or other neutral fact finder. The Plaintiffs further contend that the Defendants committed this violation of the separation of powers in the form of an emergency ordinance so the Plaintiffs would not have enough notice or opportunity to become compliant and based on a multitude of inaccurate facts. The Plaintiffs contend that they have all of the required permits, exemptions, approvals and authorizations necessary, but, regardless, these actions are unconstitutional.

Those interested in following the case may sign up for a PACER account here:  https://www.pacer.gov/cmecf/  and once an account is created, may log in here:  https://ecf.caed.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl  and do a query for case 2:17-CV-02271.

The Company will provide further updates on the federal court action once available.

The Company is gaining confidence in a positive outcome for everyone as more Cities, Counties, States, and Countries seem to be realizing the legal and monetary advantages of the CBIS Industrial Hemp Research & Economic Development Program. CBIS is proud to be able to positively impact virtually any city with more than 50 educational programs within multiple Universities specializing in the Department of Agriculture, Medical & Health Care, Business, Law, Certified Professionals, Arts, Media, and Technology in a unique hybrid structure of online, in class, and in field education. 

Staying in line with its other Industrial Hemp Research & Economic Development programs CBIS has also recently entered a partnership to implement a phytomedicines initiative on 1,000 acres in South Africa. In the same manner of the other initiatives, Cannabis Science and Elpasso Farms will establish the Pan-African Agriculture and Commerce University (PAACU), in collaboration with American States University. PAACU will specialize in agriculture, medicine, law, and business programs, and will offer a variety of certificate courses and conduct formal research programs using a variety of cannabinoids from associated indigenous plants. The Elpasso Economic Development Plan will utilize the University platform to provide PAACU scholarships for educating local and regional residents in several different industries applicable to their area with a heavy focus on agriculture, drug development, food security, and job creation. 

 Cannabis Science strongly advocates for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and believes that companies should have an obligation to positively impact the communities in which they operate. As part of its commitment to CSR, the Company has implemented its Economic Development Initiative (EDI) to provide general structure for how the Company operates in the communities where it has established business activities. Through its EDI, Cannabis Science develops and implements specific initiatives to meet the needs of each community, as identified through consultation with members of the community.

About Cannabis Science, Inc. 

Cannabis Science, Inc. takes advantage of its unique understanding of metabolic processes to provide novel treatment approaches to a number of illnesses for which current treatments and understanding remain unsatisfactory. Cannabinoids have an extensive history dating back thousands of years, and currently, there are a growing number of peer-reviewed scientific publications that document the underlying biochemical pathways that cannabinoids modulate. The Company works with leading experts in drug development, medicinal characterization, and clinical research to develop, produce, and commercialize novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment for illnesses caused by infections as well as for age-related illness. Our initial focus is on cancers, HIV/AIDS, and neurological conditions. The Company is proceeding with the research and development of its proprietary drugs as a part of this initial focus: CS-S/BCC-1, CS-TATI-1, and CS-NEURO-1, respectively.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing words such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs. Cannabis Science, Inc., does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements. Safe Harbor Statement. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a 'safe harbor' for forward looking statements. Certain of the statements contained herein, which are not historical facts are forward looking statements with respect to events, the occurrence of which involved risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements may be impacted, either positively or negatively, by various factors. Information concerning potential factors that could affect the company is detailed from time to time in the company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact Information Cannabis Science, Inc. Mr. Raymond C. Dabney President & CEO, Co-Founder raymond.dabney@cannabisscience.com Tel: 1-888-263-0832 Cannabis Science, Inc. Dr. Allen Herman Chief Medical Officer allen.herman@cannabisscience.com Tel: 1-888-263-0832