Canadian Patients Can Look to MedReleaf for Unique Medical Cannabis Varieties

International Exclusive Partnership Brings Significant Scientific Advantage

MARKHAM, ON, April 7, 2014 /CNW/ - MedReleaf™, a licensed producer and supplier of medical cannabis, is tapping into its exclusive partnership with world-class leader Tikun Olam™, to bring Canadians an offering of medical cannabis varieties unmatched by any other producer licensed through Health Canada's Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations. Tikun Olam is the first and largest government-approved producer of medical cannabis in Israel - one of the most progressive medical cannabis markets in the world.

"Our partnership with Tikun Olam gives us a significant scientific advantage," said MedReleaf CEO, Neil Closner. "We have access to treatment data from more than 7,000 Tikun Olam patients that will give us great insight into the effectiveness and efficacy of various strains and in turn, an enhanced ability to work with patients and physicians to create the most beneficial treatment protocols. The partnership also provides us with exclusive access to a vast array of proprietary medical cannabis varieties."

Two of the many unique proprietary varieties of medical cannabis that MedReleaf will grow and make available to Canadians are Erez™, the best-selling variety in Israel, and AviDekel™. Erez, with its high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, is well known for treating sleep disorders and managing pain, nausea, inflammation, and indigestion. AviDekel, a sativa-dominant strain, contains very high levels of cannabidiol (CBD) and almost no THC. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis that has been shown to have a positive impact on disorders such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis and epilepsy, amongst other ailments.

MedReleaf anticipates particular interest in AviDekel. Its exceptionally high levels of CBD (among the highest in Canada) with almost no THC contains similar properties to the variety of medical cannabis in the United States, known as Charlotte's Web, named after Charlotte Figi who experienced a reduction of her epileptic seizures after her first dose.  World-renowned CBD expert, Professor of Immunology Ruth Gallily of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is currently conducting laboratory research on all of Tikun Olam's unique CBD-rich cannabis strains to further understand their potential therapeutic applications.

"Tikun Olam has dedicated its work, time and passionate efforts to examining the efficacy and safety of our products; we do this through continued follow-up with patients, laboratory studies (both in vitro and in vivo as well as retrospective studies), surveys and clinical research," said Maayan Weisberg, Director of Marketing and Business Development. "We are pleased to collaborate with MedReleaf through this partnership and very much look forward to helping Canadian patients and physicians better understand the many benefits of medical cannabis."

MedReleaf, in partnership with Tikun Olam, is currently collaborating on more than two-dozen cannabis related research studies (lab and clinical) with doctors and professors at eight leading hospitals in Israel including the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba and Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. MedReleaf is interested in conducting additional research in Canada and is seeking physician partners for these initiatives.

ABOUT MEDRELEAF
MedReleaf™ is a Canadian-owned and operated producer and distributor of medical grade cannabis. The company operates a 55,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in Markham, Ontario. Its leadership team includes highly skilled and expert professionals who have more than 100 years of combined experience treating patients and working with cannabis. They have extensive backgrounds in business, molecular plant genetics, biotechnology, horticulture, clinical laboratory management and operations. MedReleaf is dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients across Canada by providing them with a broad range of the finest quality varieties anywhere in the world. MedReleaf obtained its license from Health Canada in February 2014.

SOURCE: MedReleaf Corp.

Lindsay Peterson-Chisholm
GoldFenix Communications & Associates
[email protected]
416-880-8240

Paul Tyler
GoldFenix Communications & Associates
[email protected]
905-235-2731