The Flowr Corporation (TSXV: FLWR) (“Flowr” or “the Company”), a
Canadian Licensed Producer of premium cannabis products, announced
today that it has hired Deron Caplan, the first person in North
America to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with research focused
on cannabis production. Dr. Caplan was awarded his doctorate
by the University of Guelph in August 2018 and joins Flowr as
director of plant science.
Dr. Caplan was the primary author of the first peer-reviewed
paper on indoor cannabis production published in North America1 and
has written numerous other articles on cannabis published in
scientific journals. He has testified on cannabis production
before the Canadian Senate’s Standing Committee on Agriculture and
Forestry and has provided expert commentary on cannabis for a
variety of national media outlets. Dr. Caplan is an expert on
growing substrates, fertilization protocols, propagation techniques
and irrigation management protocols for cannabis production under a
controlled environment. While earning his Doctorate, he,
along with his academic advisors, invented four growing substrates
specifically formulated and tested for cannabis production.
Flowr was co-founded by Tom Flow, a pioneer in the Canadian
cannabis industry and widely recognized thought-leader on
cultivation systems and techniques, with a vision for the Company
to always be on the cutting edge of cultivation. To maintain
that advantage, Flowr’s R&D program is focused on two areas:
improving cultivation techniques and systems; and developing
cannabis plants that produce the highest quality flower and address
specific needs in the medical and recreational markets.
“Flowr is focused on producing premium quality cannabis at scale
with industry-leading efficiency and that requires remaining a
leader in both cultivation techniques and genetics,” said Flow, who
is also Flowr’s Co-CEO. “We believe that adding Deron to
our existing team and alliance with Hawthorne Canada strengthens
our position at the forefront of understanding the tools and
techniques needed to grow great cannabis.”
Flowr’s R&D function is led by Philippe Henry, PhD, a
population geneticist who uses genomic data to advance the
understanding of the genetic basis of key traits of the cannabis
plant and its therapeutic potential. Dr. Henry’s recent work
has focused on the development of statistical approaches to
modeling the chemotypic variation in elite cannabis cultivars and
correlating that information with genomic data with the goal of
using sound science to objectively guide cannabis breeding efforts
and product development. Along with numerous published papers
in scientific journals, Dr. Henry is the co-author of a recent
preprint article, “Predicting chemovar cluster and variety
verification in vegetative cannabis accessions using targeted
single nucleotide polymorphisms”
(https://peerj.com/preprints/27442/).
“The holy grail of cannabis cultivation is understanding both
the genetic intricacies that drive the unique consumer experience
produced by each strain and how best to cultivate a strain to
maximize the natural expression of those genetics through its
chemical components,” said Dr. Henry. “We believe that
Flowr’s R&D team, together with our partner Hawthorne Canada,
is uniquely positioned to address both sides of that equation.”
In March 2018, Flowr formed an exclusive strategic alliance with
Hawthorne Canada Limited (“Hawthorne”) a subsidiary of Hawthorne
Gardening Company, which provides an array of tools for a multitude
of gardening needs and is a subsidiary of The Scotts Miracle-Gro
Company (NYSE: SMG). The companies will collaborate on
R&D for cannabis cultivation systems including the development
of a Hawthorne-funded 50,000 square foot R&D center that is the
first facility in North America dedicated to cannabis cultivation
R&D. The companies broke ground on the facility in October
2018.
About Flowr
The Flowr Corporation (TSXV: FLWR), through its subsidiaries, is
a Canadian cannabis company focused on the natural science of
cannabis. With head offices in Markham, ON and production in
Kelowna, BC, Flowr builds and operates large-scale, GMP designed
cultivation facilities utilizing its own patented growing
systems. Flowr’s investment in research and development is
expected to enable its cultivation team to supply patients with
consistent, high-quality medicinal cannabis. With a sense of
craftsmanship and a spirit of innovation, Flowr is also well
positioned with a line of premium quality cannabis products for the
upcoming adult-use market.
For more information, visit www.flowr.ca Follow Flowr on
Twitter: @FlowrCanada; Facebook: Flowr Canada; Instagram:
@flowrcanada; and LinkedIn: The Flowr Corporation
On behalf of The Flowr Corporation:
Tom Flow
Co-CEO and Director
Forward-Looking Information
This press release includes forward-looking information within
the meaning of Canadian securities laws regarding Flowr and its
business, which may include, but are not limited to: the facilities
described herein, including, without limitation, the timing of
construction and completion thereof, the depth that Mr. Caplan
brings to Flowr, the expertise and experience of Mr. Caplan,
Flowr’s vision to be on the cutting edge of cultivation, Flowr’s
R&D program and its focus on improving cultivation techniques
and systems and developing cannabis plants that produce the highest
quality flower and address specific needs in the medical and
recreational markets, Flowr’s focus on producing premium quality
cannabis at scale, the addition of Mr. Caplan and the alliance with
Hawthorne Canada strengthening Flowr’s position at the forefront of
understanding the tools and techniques needed to grow great
cannabis, the timing of release of certain publications described
herein, statements with respect to the holy grail of cannabis
cultivation, the belief that Flowr’s R&D team and its
partnership with Hawthorne uniquely positions Flowr to address
genetic intricacies that drive the unique consumer experience
produced by each strain and to cultivate a strain to maximize the
natural expression of those genetics through its chemical
components, Flowr’s intention to develop and test Hawthorne
cultivation systems in the R&D facility, Flowr being well
positioned with a line of premium quality cannabis products for the
upcoming adult-use market, Flowr’s investment in research and
development enabling its cultivation team to supply patients with
consistent, high quality medicinal cannabis and other
factors. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be
identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “is expected”,
“expects”, “scheduled”, “intends”, “contemplates”, “anticipates”,
“believes”, “proposes” or variations (including negative and
grammatical variations) of such words and phrases, or state that
certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”
or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are based
on the current expectations of Flowr’s management and are based on
assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although
Flowr’s management believes that the assumptions underlying these
statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The
forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press
release may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and
could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk
factors and uncertainties affecting Flowr, including risks relating
to Flowr’s inability to construct the facilities described herein,
or in the time anticipated, Flowr’s inability to grow cannabis at
scale, which could adversely impact revenues, the fact that the
facilities described herein may not include all the elements
described in this press release, which could adversely impact the
partnership with Hawthorne, Flowr’s R&D strategy and/or Flowr’s
revenues, the inability of Flowr to test Hawthorne’s
cultivation systems, which could adversely impact the partnership
described herein and future R&D initiatives of Flowr, Flowr not
being able to sustain its competitive advantage in cultivation and
being unable to remain at the forefront of industry innovation,
whether as a result of failed construction of the facilities
described herein or otherwise, Flowr’s inability to research
genetics and cultivation data analytic systems, Flowr not being
able to meet demand or fulfill purchase orders, which could
materially impact revenues and its relationships with purchasers,
Mr. Caplan not bringing the experience or expertise described
herein, Flowr not being able to remain at the cutting edge of
cultivation, Flowr’s R&D program not improving cultivation
techniques and systems and not developing cannabis plants that
produce the highest quality flower and address specific needs in
the medical and recreational markets, which could result in Flowr
losing its competitive edge and/or sales, the addition of Mr.
Caplan and the alliance with Hawthorne Canada not strengthening
Flowr’s position at the forefront of understanding the tools and
techniques needed to grow great cannabis, which could significantly
impact Flowr’s competitive edge with respect to cultivation,
Flowr’s R&D team and its partnership with Hawthorne not being
able to address genetic intricacies that drive the unique consumer
experience produced by each strain and to cultivate a strain to
maximize the natural expression of those genetics through its
chemical components, Flowr requiring additional financing from time
to time in order to continue its operations and such financing may
not be available when needed or on terms and conditions acceptable
to the Company, new laws or regulations adversely affecting the
Company’s business and results of operations, results of operation
activities and development of projects, project cost overruns or
unanticipated costs and expenses, the inability
of Flowr’s products to be high quality, the inability of
Flowr to produce and distribute premium, high quality products, the
inability to supply products or any delay in such supply, Flowr’s
securities, the inability to generate cash flows, revenues and/or
stable margins, the inability to grow organically, risks associated
with the geographic markets in which Flowr operates and/or
distributes its products, risks associated with fluctuations in
exchange rates (including, without limitation, fluctuations in
currencies), risks associated with the use of Flowr’s products, the
cannabis industry and the regulation thereof, the failure to comply
with applicable laws, risks relating to partnership arrangements,
possible failure to realize the anticipated benefits of partnership
arrangements, product launches (including, without limitation,
unsuccessful product launches), the inability to launch products,
the failure to obtain regulatory approvals, economic factors,
market conditions, risks associated with the acquisition and/or
launch of products, the equity and debt markets generally, risks
associated with growth and competition (including, without
limitation, with respect to Flowr’s products), general economic and
stock market conditions, risks and uncertainties detailed from time
to time in Flowr’s filings with the Canadian Securities
Administrators and many other factors beyond the control of
Flowr. Although Flowr has attempted to identify important
factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to
differ materially from those described in forward-looking
information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events
or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.
No forward-looking information can be guaranteed. Except as
required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking information
speaks only as of the date on which it is made and Flowr undertakes
no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
information, whether as a result of new information, future events,
or otherwise.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this press release.
- ends -
1 “Optimal Rate of Organic Fertilizer during the
Vegetative-stage for Cannabis Grown in Two Coir-based Substrates,”
Deron Caplan, Mike Dixon, Youbin Zheng. HortScience, September
2017
Jim Walsh
The Flowr Corporation
+1-607-275-7141
jwalsh@flowr.ca
Bruce Dunbar
The Flowr Corporation
+1-917-756-4065
bdunbar@flowr.ca
For Investors Only: Alex Dann, CFO
The Flowr Corporation
+1-416-464-4067
adann@flowr.ca
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