Stevia Corp. Registers Wholly Owned US Subsidiary, Real Hemp LLC
Company Also Files Federal Trademark Registration for Real
Hemp
INDIANAPOLIS, IN--(Marketwired - Mar 5, 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 Company has registered a wholly owned
subsidiary, Real Hemp LLC, an Indiana limited liability company. In
addition, the Company has filed a federal trademark registration
for "Real Hemp" and secured the "RealHemp.com" domain as part of
its strategy to enter the US hemp industry and become a leading
importer, manufacturer and licensor of hemp products and hemp
derivatives.
Hemp products can all be legally imported and traded in the
United States and recent growth is being fueled by an increasingly
educated public that is becoming aware of the many benefits of
hemp. The 2012 retail value of North American hemp food, vitamin
and body care products was estimated to be in the range of $156 to
$171 million by the Hemp Industries Association (HIA). When
clothing, auto parts, building materials and other non-food or body
care products are included, the HIA estimates that the total retail
value of U.S. hemp products is about $500 million. 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.
Industrial hemp was the most important non-food crop in the
early history of the United States, being used for sails, riggings,
canvas, ropes, clothing and paper. Its diverse uses made it a
required crop, for farmers' and the country's existence. With the
passage of the Marijuana Tax Act in 1938, hemp production in the
United States essentially ended. This was followed by the 1950's
anti-drug legislation that made it illegal to grow any cannabis
plant varieties to improve drug enforcement of illegal marijuana
production.
George Blankenbaker, Stevia Corp President, comments, "The
growth in the hemp market is being fueled by the increased public
knowledge of hemp and its many benefits and the market will
continue to grow as more public awareness occurs. I am
currently in Asia where more than 70% of the world hemp supply is
grown, working with my team to confirm quality suppliers and
products. We have identified at least three products lines and will
focus on having initial product in the US during the next quarter
ending June 30, 2014."
According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, hemp seed (and
its byproducts) can be used to supplement diets poor in essential
fatty acids to maintain good health. One of the fastest growing
markets for hemp seed oil is health care products and hemp oil is
the richest known source of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids
(the "good" fats) at a volume level of 81%. It is also one of only
two plants that contain gamma linoleic acid (GLA), a very rare
nutrient found in mother's milk that has been found to have many
properties ranging from anti-inflammatory to anti-depression.
Mr. Blankenbaker adds, "Even with all the known benefits of
hemp, I believe the long-term hidden value is the cannabinoid
content. Although hemp is bred to produce low levels of THC, it
still produces all of the other known cannabinoids common to
medical marijuana, many of which are being studied for their
effectiveness against cancer and other diseases. I believe
continuing to leverage our current experience and expertise gained
working with stevia to identify and extract specific compounds will
lead to substantial value working with hemp long-term."
On February 26, 2014, the Company announced a consulting
agreement with Colorado-based ebbu for the identification and
extraction of cannabinoids from cannabis.
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 the Hemp Industry Sector Hemp is a crop that can be grown
for food and non-food purposes. As a result of its numerous
nutritional benefits, many new food products containing hemp seed
and its oil are finding their way into the marketplace, including
pasta, tortilla chips, salad dressings, snack products and frozen
desserts. Non-dairy hemp "milk" beverages, which provide
significant amounts of omega 3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) and
protein, are also available. Hemp oil is also used in
nutraceuticals and health care products.
As a fiber source, hemp is undergoing rapid growth as a natural
fiber in everything from clothing and textiles to automotive
composites. The fiber is also gaining popularity as insulation.
The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) estimated that the retail
value of North American hemp food, vitamin and body care products
was in the range of $156 to $171 million in 2012. When clothing,
auto parts, building materials and other non-food or body care
products are included, the HIA estimates that the total retail
value of U.S. hemp products is about $500 million.
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, growth
of hemp market, introduction of hemp products in the US markets in
the quarter ended June 30, 2014, uses of industrial hemp, growth of
stevia industry and replacement of dietary sweeteners.. 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.
Contact: Stevia Corp. Investor Relations Email: ir@stevia.co
Tel: +1-888-250-2566 Web: www.steviacorp.us
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