CITIVA Teams Up With Epican to Donate First Harvest of Medically Indicated Cannabis for Patient Study in Jamaica

Miami, FL, September 20, 2016 (Newswire.com) - CITIVA, in collaboration with the University of West Indies, Mona announced today they are donating the first cannabis-based medicine extracted from their well-researched, high-CBD cannabis strain, to be used in a ground-breaking study in Jamaica that will examine its effect on children with Epilepsy. 

The specialized, therapeutic, High-CBD strain, which was bred and cultivated by CITIVA at their horticulture center on the MONA campus was safely and successfully extracted into oil by Epican at their 5000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art facility in Kingston.  Epican, a Jamaican-owned and operated company is partnering with the Scientific Research Council with focus on large scale, CO2 extraction of phytocannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant for medicinal purposes. Epican’s extraction equipment is supplied through a relationship with MetaCan, a US company, with over a decade of experience in developing novel and proprietary extraction technologies specifically for the cannabis industry. 

"The University of the West Indies is proud to announce that our partnership with CITIVA is beginning to bear fruit. CITIVA has begun construction of a world leading medical cannabis research center in the medical sciences building on the Mona Campus. UWI plans to work closely with CITIVA on critical research that will benefit both the healthcare system and the people and economy of Jamaica," said Professor Archibald McDonald, the Deputy Principal of the University of the West Indies at Mona.

Professor Archibald McDonald, Deputy Principal of the University of the West Indies at Mona

“As Jamaica moves forward to embrace the cannabis industry, we are pleased and honored to provide to CITIVA the most advanced technological extraction of phytocannabinoids, to ensure and guarantee that their finished products are accurately dosed, and of the highest standards of quality and purity, “ said Karibe McKenzie, Founder and CEO of Epican. 

Both companies have been engaged in local collaborative research agreements and are working toward the advancement of science, research, development and marketing of effective cannabis-based products for a wide variety of health conditions.  CITIVA’s donation of medically-indicated products is set to be the first of many of their products that will be used in future studies in collaboration with UWI.

“CITIVA is proud of the development of our facility on the Mona Campus of UWI.  The concept of medical cannabis has been in Jamaica for centuries.  This is the beginning of a partnership that we hope will create hundreds of jobs, crucial medications for the sick and disabled, and a dynamic new industry,” said Kim Volman, CEO of CITIVA.

In July, CITIVA launched the world’s first university-based facility dedicated to medical marijuana research at UWI. Their focus is on advancing the study of marijuana and its efficacy in the field of medicine.  Their first harvest, grown at this facility, is indicated for study in the treatments of Type II Diabetes and Epilepsy.  

“The University of the West Indies is proud to announce that our partnership with CITIVA is beginning to bear fruit. CITIVA has begun construction of a world leading medical cannabis research center in the medical sciences building on the Mona Campus. UWI plans to work closely with CITIVA on critical research that will benefit both the healthcare system and the people and economy of Jamaica,” said Professor Archibald McDonald, the Deputy Principal of the University of the West Indies at Mona.

About Epican

Epican is an industry leader in the development of advanced super and sub-critical CO2 extraction technologies for phytocannabinoids, terpenes and cannabis-based phytonutrients. Through collaborations and partnerships, they are advancing the scientific research, education, legal reform, manufacturing, distribution and access to cannabis-based products in Jamaica and other countries. 

About MetaCan

MetaCan, a minority shareholder in Epican, is a global leader in the medical cannabis industry, helping to elevate awareness of the scientific validation and efficacy of the miraculous cannabis plant, by conducting clinical research, enriching the human experience through creation and marketing of consumer brands across multiple distribution platforms, and developing and licensing proprietary extraction technologies that create value-added collaborations.

About CITIVA

CITIVA is a cannabis research and product development company based in New York, with a research and product development center located on the Mona campus of UWI.  CITIVA specializes in advanced research of cannabis, and in creating medications with individualized cannabinoid ratios designed to treat specific diseases and conditions.

For further information and/or to request interviews, please contact:

Epican
Richard Watson
Marketing Manager
876-452-9569
[email protected]

Metacan
Margie Adelman
Chief Marketing Officer
1.916.220.3500
[email protected]

CITIVA
Amy Holdener
​Director of Marketing and Communications
1.561.352.0342​
[email protected]

Source: CITIVA and Epican