The Maricann Group Inc. recently announced that they received their encapsulated cannabis oil license from Health Canada as of late November 2017. First founded in 2013, the Maricann Group is a Canadian-based, publicly-traded medical cannabis company that serves thousands of patients across Canada.

The company is actively in control of their entire process from the cultivation of plants, extraction, research and development processing, to the marketing and sales of cannabis to their consumers.

Paired with a unique patented technology, the Maricann Group’s cannabis oil capsules will aim to provide patients with another option of immediate and consistent cannabinoid therapy.

The Maricann Group’s Pathway to Pills

Since receiving their license to encapsulate as of Nov 17, 2017, the company has commenced the production of encapsulated cannabis oil. Intended for individual medical use, the Maricann Capsules provide an important variation of medicine as well as several other benefits for its users.

As opposed to other methods of consuming cannabis (i.e. smoking, vaping, and eating), cannabis oil capsules in general provide the same immediate effects to the consumer without the difficulty or resistance that can come with the previous methods. The capsules become a part of daily life and is a treatment option delivered in a format that most patients find more comfortable and compelling. For physicians, an encapsulated pill gives them more control over the dosage and they can then work with the patient to choose the right cannabinoid therapy for them.

The Maricann Group’s pills however work with a patented technology called Vesisorb™ that make their cannabis oil capsules not only different from the others, but possibly even better. Firstly, the all-natural cannabis extract is delivered in a vegan capsule format and four types will be available to start; 15mg and 25mg of cannabidiol (CBD), or 5mg and 10mg of THC.

A common and existing issue with cannabis oil capsules are that the cannabinoids are almost insoluble in water. Most hardly make it into the system by the time they are digested, or more often, metabolized. Maricann Group’s Vesisorb™ technology however allows the oil to disperse more evenly in a water-environment like the stomach, providing higher and more immediate blood levels of active cannabinoids. This not only makes it more consistent for the consumer, but also more potent as the technology does not allow the cannabinoids to be destroyed by the liver, but instead is absorbed quickly into the stomach lining.

The company’s CEO Benjamin Ward says, “Maricann is focused on expanding capacity in a truly differentiated product offering, in support of its previously announced joint pharmacy initiative and future global export opportunities.”

Maricann Group Inc expects patients to be able to order their cannabis oil capsules starting in early 2018.

McKesson Canada, the century-old distributor of pharmaceuticals, health and beauty products, and medical supplies just announced they have purchased natural health and beauty e-commerce retailer Well.ca.

Well.ca was founded in Guelph, ON in 2008 and quickly earned awards for e-commerce retailer excellence and their streamlined customer service experience. It also built its reputation by offering a broad selection of health products for the entire family, while focusing on baby care and “green-minded” consumers wishing to purchase high quality products including “peer-reviewed” products according to their web site.

Well.ca ventured into bricks and mortar stores with a four-month trial store at The Shops of Don Mills, in Toronto in 2015 and last year opened a “pop-up” shop at Toronto’s Sherway Gardens on The West Mall.

McKesson Canada is owned by San Francisco-based and publicly traded McKesson Corporation, founded in 1883 in New York City, and considered to be the world’s largest distributor of pharmaceutical drugs and health products with 2015 sales of USD $147.3 billion.

The announcement was made jointly by both companies and according to Well.ca’s CEO, Rebecca McKillican, “Well.ca’s ‘digital-first’ approach to retail has continuously pushed the boundaries of the customer experience in Canada.” McKesson has been a supply chain partner to Well.ca since its inception in 2008.

Although no further information was given as to future planning with their purchase of Well.ca the press releases stated that, “Well.ca will operate as a distinct business within McKesson Canada, while retaining its existing brand and remain headquartered in Guelph, Ontario.”

For those who enjoy it, drinking alcohol can be a way to relax and socialize.  Over the years, research has highlighted a few health benefits associated with “moderate drinking”, meaning 1 serving of alcohol for women and 2 for men per day.

In a review published in March, 2014[1], lead researcher Dr. James O’Keefe, MD noted light habitual drinking is associated with lower risks for death from all illnesses, as well as reduced risks of developing diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and stroke.

However, the same article also identified the risks associated with higher alcohol intakes:

• hypertension
• cardiomyopathy
• atrial fibrillation
• stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic)

It appears that where these leading causes of death are concerned, “the dose makes the poison”, meaning some alcohol could help, but too much could harm.

What about another leading cause, cancer? 

In contrast to studies on other diseases, no research can be found demonstrating protective benefits of alcohol for cancer, although it does appear that the dose again makes it poison for breast, prostate, colorectal, oral, throat, esophageal and liver cancers[2].

With respect to breast cancer specifically, the Nurses’ Health Study has followed nearly 122,000 nurses from 1976 when the study began, requiring that every two years questionnaires be completed, including questions assessing risk factors for cancer among other health conditions. The study has found alcohol has been a risk factor for breast cancer, in a dose-dependent fashion, including consumption patterns involving binge drinking, drinking early in life, but not later or vice versa[3].  This means any kind of exposure to alcohol increased breast cancer risk, but the increases were greater for those who drank the most.

An analysis of pooled data from 8 studies involving nearly 500,000 people found that having more than 2 drinks per day increased the risk of developing cancer of the colon and/or rectum by 16% up to 72%[4], where again the risk was highest for those with the highest intakes.

The take-home message could not be clearer: if your personal risk of developing cancer concerns you, drink responsibly and in moderation.

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[1] O’Keefe, James H., et al. “Alcohol and Cardiovascular Health: The Dose Makes the Poison… or the Remedy.” Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Vol. 89. No. 3. Elsevier, 2014.

[2] Cao, Yin, and Edward L. Giovannucci. “Alcohol as a risk factor for cancer.” Seminars in oncology nursing. Vol. 32. No. 3. WB Saunders, 2016.

[3] Chen, Wendy Y., et al. “Moderate alcohol consumption during adult life, drinking patterns, and breast cancer risk.” Jama 306.17 (2011): 1884-1890.

[4] Cho, Eunyoung, et al. “Alcohol intake and colorectal cancer: a pooled analysis of 8 cohort studies.” Annals of internal medicine 140.8 (2004): 603-613.

Canada’s largest producer of processed meat, Maple Leaf Foods, just announced their purchase of Seattle-based artisanal grain-meat manufacturer Field Roast.

The vegan meat and cheese company had just celebrated 20 years in business this year, and news of the sale may have surprised the packaged meat industry on both sides of the border. Maple Leaf purchased another US vegan-meat producer, Lightlife Foods based in Massachusetts, in February. This second acquisition cements their interest and investment in the alternative protein food market, a rapidly growing sector in grocery retail.

Lightlife Foods has produced their popular line of vegan hot dogs, deli meats, bacon and sausage using tempeh, soy and tofu for over 35 years, and at time of their takeover (for USD$140-million) reported sales of USD$40-million in 2016. Field Roast built their food business with grain-meat loaves, sausages, burgers, cutlets, and more recently, dairy-free Chao tofu-based cheeses. Maple Leaf acquired Field Roast for USD$120-million with annual sales of USD$38-million.

Michael McCain, President and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods stated, “The acquisition of Field Roast complements and expands our portfolio in the fast-growing North American market for alternative proteins. It also aligns with our vision to be a leader in sustainable protein and create shared value through making a positive social impact.”

This latest purchase by Maple Leaf of a second plant-protein food manufacturer confirms commitment to their sustainable protein initiative announced in 2012 in their first annual sustainability report, and it follows a few of their competitors who are also claiming their stake in the growing vegan meat market.

The world’s largest meat producer, Tyson Foods, invested in vegan protein producer Beyond Meat; Nestlé recently purchased California-based Sweet Earth Natural Foods, a manufacturer of plant-based protein meals and snacks; and global food giant Cargill was one of the investors in Memphis Meats, a lab-based meat manufacturing profiled in a recent Hub article.

Industry insiders believe these big players are not only listening to consumers that want more plant-based protein foods, but also recognize that the planet’s growing population (estimated to be 9 billion by 2050) cannot realistically be sustained by an animal-based food industry.

The alternative protein market is expected to grow exponentially in the next few years, largely because of changing consumer tastes, and the unsustainability of animal-based meat production.

A new study by American researchers has shown that increased TV viewing can lead to a greater risk of developing blood clots, even in those who get the recommended amount of exercise.

Carried out by Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont in Burlington and led by Dr. Mary Cushman, the study has shown that those who rated their TV viewing as “very often” are at a greater risk than those who rated their TV viewing as “never or seldom”.

While leading a sedentary lifestyle has already been linked to an increase in cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, this is the first study that examines the link between venous thromboembolism (VTE) — a disease that includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism — and TV watching. Deep vein thrombosis can occur in the arms, pelvis or legs during long periods of inactivity when blood slows down and pools, forming blood clots. Pulmonary embolism happens when the blood clot breaks off and travels through the blood stream to the lungs. VTE can occur at any age but is more predominant in people aged 60 or older. VTE is a growing health concern in the United States and impacts between 300,000 and 600,000 people per year.

The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study looked at data from 15,158 people, between the ages of 45 and 64, all of whom were VTE-free when the study began.  Between 1987 and 1989, the participants reported which category of TV viewing they fell into, choosing either “never or seldom”, “sometimes”, “often”, or “very often”. The participants updated their viewing categories several times throughout the course of the study and in that time, doctors recorded 691 blood clots or incidents of VTE.

Dr. Cushman’s study found that:

• those who reported their TV viewing as “very often” were 1.7 times more likely to develop VTE for the first time, compared with those who watch TV “never or seldom”;
• the risk was 1.8 times higher in participants who reported watching TV “very often,” even if they met the recommended targets for physical activity, compared with those who reported their TV viewing as “never or seldom”;
• more TV viewing led to an increased risk of VTE and while obesity is more common in those who watch TV more often, obesity only accounted for about 25 percent of the increased risk.

Cushman recommends that people “think about how you can make the best use of your time to live a fuller and healthier life. You could put a treadmill or stationary bike in front of your TV and move while watching. Or you can delay watching TV by 30 minutes while you take a walk. If you must see your favorite show, tape it while you are out walking so you can watch it later, skipping the ads.”

The American Heart Association recommends adults get 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week.

Walmart acquired Jet.com in September 2016 which raised eyebrows for more than one reason. Some felt they may have spent far more than necessary in the $3.3-billion deal, while others wondered how the family-friendly retail giant would blend the successful, unconventional e-commerce retailer into the fold.

With a reputation for drinking alcohol at the office during company-sponsored “happy hours” which allowed employees to drink at their desk, and by selling a full range of adults-only sex play products, Jet.com appeared to be an anomalous acquisition for Walmart. Yet one year later their e-commerce sales results showed a 63% increase in the last quarter.

It was thought that the non-traditional culture and merchandise of Jet.com could pose a threat to the Walmart name, built on family values. Walmart added a pop-up to “click to confirm age” to the e-commerce site to prevent minors from viewing their selection of adult toys, as most are more “anatomically correct” than those previously sold at Walmart. As well, Walmart at first banned in-office drinking, moving their happy hour activities to local bars but after employees complained and productivity suffered, Walmart reversed their prohibition on drinking at the office.

The acquisition of Amazon’s biggest competitor appears to have been a smart move as Walmart is now the second largest online retailer. They retained Jet’s CEO, Marc Lore, to continue to lead their U.S. e-commerce division and they quadrupled the inventory available for online purchase to more than 35 million items. Earlier this year, Walmart offered free two-day shipping on purchases over $35, undercutting Amazon’s $50 free shipping for non-Prime members. Amazon Prime membership has an annual fee of just under $100 to receive free shipping benefits while Walmart offers theirs without any extra cost once the minimum purchase is attained.

Jet.com continues to operate as a separate business, and in addition to being able to purchase sex toys online, shoppers can also buy groceries, electronics, and furniture while also offering high-ticket luxury items.