MediSwipe, Inc. Announces Approval of Charlotte's Web Legislation
by Florida House and Senate as Company Seeks Top Candidacy for
Participation in State Licenses
LOS ANGELES,
CA--(Marketwired - May 05, 2014) - MediSwipe,
Inc. (www.MediSwipe.com) (OTCQB:
MWIP), a fully reporting company on the OTCQB, a leader in
the Compassionate Care Industry which provides technology and
business solutions, today announced that the Florida Senate passed
the bill known as "Charlotte's Web" legislation on Friday after the
House overwhelmingly passed it Thursday. Governor Rick Scott
is expected to sign a bill that would legalize the use of low-THC
marijuana to treat epilepsy and cancer patients. Charlotte's
Web, a marijuana strain low in the compound THC, has been shown to
curb seizures in children with intractable epilepsy not controlled
by traditional medication.
"I'm a parent and a grandparent. I want to make sure my
children, my grandchildren, have the access to the health care they
want," said Gov. Scott.
The bill puts some restrictions on the use of
the marijuana strain known as Charlotte's Web. It can
have no more than 0.8 percent THC, the chemical that makes users
feel the effects of a high. On average, marijuana has about 15
percent THC, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The
strain has normal levels of cannabidiol, or CBD, which is used to
treat seizures.
Only physicians, who have been providing ongoing treatment of a
patient, can prescribe this low level strain. This is only as a
last resort if other treatments aren't effective. The state would
also maintain a registry of eligible patients. The
marijuana can't be smoked and would be converted into an oil
for medicinal purposes. Only four dispensaries would be allowed in
the state and they would be highly regulated. Support for the bill,
sponsored by Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, was questionable when it
was first filed, but became overwhelming popular after parents of
children suffering from seizures pleaded for help during committee
hearings.
MediSwipe recently announced that it has leased 20 acres of an
agricultural farming facility located in South Florida bordering
Lake Okeechobee and the Loxahatchee River in Palm Beach County
through its subsidiary Agritech Venture Holdings Inc., with an
option thru December 31, 2014, to purchase the land. The
agreement is for a 10 year lease on the producing nursery farm with
unlimited water sources and electricity including infrastructure
already in place, with the first year obligation paid in full. In
addition to the option to purchase the land by the end of this
year, the Company has the right of first refusal to match any offer
the landowner receives for a three year period.
United for Care, the committee sponsoring the medical marijuana
initiative, praised Scott for backing the Charlotte's Web bill, but
also said in a press release Thursday, "Although this is a
significant step forward for our cause, the only complete and
permanent solution for all those Floridians who need cannabis to
relieve their symptoms from a wide range of debilitating conditions
will be the approval of Amendment 2 by voters in November."
Democratic governor candidates Charlie Crist and Nan Rich support
the amendment, as does Libertarian candidate Adrian Wyllie. Former
Governor Charlie Crist supports the medical marijuana initiative. A
top Crist supporter, lawyer John Morgan, funded the effort to place
the amendment on the ballot.
The campaign manager for Amendment 2, Ben Pollara, said on Miami
Beach Friday that the Charlotte's Web measure buoys the efforts
chances. "It's a great thing. It's a message from Tallahassee
that marijuana is medicine," Pollara said. "It gives us huge
momentum going into November to have the voters of Florida say
"yes" on Amendment 2."
Amendment 2 would legalize the cultivation, purchase, possession
and use of marijuana to treat medical conditions when recommended
by a licensed physician. The measure would also order the Florida
Department of Health to register and regulate producers and
distributors of medical marijuana and to issue identification cards
to patients and caregivers utilizing marijuana.
The amendment names nine specific medical conditions: cancer,
glaucoma, human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV), acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS), Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple
sclerosis. But physicians could recommend medical marijuana for
other ailments if, after conducting an examination, they determine
cannabis would help patients more than it would hurt them.
Seth Hyman of Weston was delighted to learn of the success of
the Charlotte's Web measure. His eight year-old daughter,
Rebecca, suffers a genetic disorder that causes her to have almost
constant, potentially life-threatening seizures. Hyman also said he
supports passage of Amendment 2, legalizing stronger marijuana for
medical purposes. His concern is the low-dose Charlotte's Web
might not be strong enough to help his daughter. "We're very
excited," Hyman told CBS4 News on Friday. "We're looking
forward to our daughter receiving the medicine she needs to
hopefully control or even eliminate her seizures."
"We at MediSwipe would like to congratulate the great state of
Florida on the courageous action by the legislature on behalf of
the families and the Charlotte's Web Bill. As a Florida based
company with investments in agricultural land consisting of 20
acres next to some of the largest organic farming operations in the
state, we can apply immediately as a candidate, partnership or
potential licensee on the basis of this new
legislation. Considering our experience of over five years in
this sector, our Board of Directors and Advisors including Dr.
Jayme Canton is supportive in our company to continue our
commitment as a leader in the Compassionate Care Industry.
Combined with our reach in Colorado consisting of access to
Charlotte's Web and similar strains through our licensed tenants in
Colorado at our new agricultural facilities there, we believe we
can play a vital role in the state. We look forward to
providing guidance in the enactment of this legislation and to
enable these patients to get the help they need," stated B. Michael
Friedman, CEO of MediSwipe.
The Florida Department of Health is expected to formulate a plan
to register and regulate producers and distributors of medical
marijuana and to issue identification cards to patients and
caregivers utilizing marijuana. Bills to legalize the marijuana
extract cannabidiol -- the non-psychoactive ingredient in the plant
-- have been introduced in several states, and Alabama approved
similar legislation in March. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett ® said
Thursday that he'll back a bill to allow its use in his state.
About MediSwipe, Inc.
MediSwipe, Inc. (www.MediSwipe.com), the first fully reporting
Company and pioneer within the medicinal marijuana space provides
innovative patient and agricultural solutions, is a leader in
Compassionate Care Technology for the medicinal marijuana industry.
MediSwipe provides real estate management and health and wellness
product lines including beverages, vaporizers and accessories.
MediSwipe does not directly grow, harvest, or distribute or sell
cannabis or any substances that violate United States law or the
Controlled Substances Act, nor does it intend to do so in the
future.
FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER:
This press release may contain certain forward-looking
statements and information, as defined within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor
created by those sections. This material contains statements about
expected future events and/or financial results that are
forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties.
Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks,
uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of MediSwipe, Inc. to be
materially different from the statements made herein.
Contact:MediSwipe,
Inc. 561.249.6511www.MediSwipe.cominfo@mediSwipe.com
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