TORONTO, Sept. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emblem Corp. (TSXV: EMC, OTCQX: EMMBF) (“Emblem” or the “Company”), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Emblem Cannabis Corporation, a licensed producer of medical cannabis under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (“ACMPR”), announced today that it has entered into a five-year supply and preferred vendor agreement (the “Agreement”) with 10330698 Canada Ltd. d/b/a Compass Cannabis Clinic (“Compass”) to become a preferred cannabis supplier through its wholly owned subsidiary adult-use retail entity Starbuds Canada (“Starbuds”), effective October 17, 2018.
Compass currently has forty confirmed leases for locations across Canada, a mix of operational clinics that are now open, in development, or in preparation with the intended use of becoming retail cannabis stores. Starbuds – licensee of the Starbuds brand name for Canada from Starbuds based out of Denver, Colorado – has an aggressive expansion plan across Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan to serve cannabis enthusiasts across Canada. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Compass, Starbuds has received cannabis retail licenses in two provinces along with a dozen retail development permits across the province of Alberta.
Under the Agreement, subject to the receipt by Compass of all required licensing under the applicable provincial cannabis regimes, and where such agreements are permitted by applicable provincial regulations, Emblem will supply Compass with high-quality cannabis, beginning with products under Emblem’s first adult-use brand, Symbl. It is expected that Emblem’s Symbl-branded products will be sold in all provinces in which Compass operates and where Emblem has received a provincial listing or approval for sale.
“Emblem’s relationship with Compass establishes another important distribution channel to get our products and brands to cannabis consumers across Canada. As we continue to build our brands and innovate with products, the retail environment will play a critical role in building our awareness with consumers and driving market share,” said Nick Dean, CEO, Emblem Corp. “Compass is a highly regarded, trusted operator of cannabis clinics, and we are confident their Starbuds retail operations will continue in this vein. As the cannabis retail environment continues to develop, Emblem intends to pursue strategic relationships with retailers that will focus on providing a premier retail experience including product education, customer service, and quality products.”
Compass is well-positioned to be a leader for retail cannabis distribution nationally, securing real estate for retail locations in advance of regulations coming into effect. With confirmed leases across B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, Compass is also in the second round of the application process for retail licensing in Manitoba.
“Compass has established a strong reputation as a trusted cannabis clinic. Our Starbuds retail operations will lean into this by providing a space for consumers focused on product education and expert service,” Dave Martyn, President of Starbuds Canada and Compass Cannabis Clinic says. “Starbuds is a rapidly developing cannabis brand in Canada and we look forward to building our team, establishing our retail footprint and serving Canada’s cannabis consumers.”
About Emblem
Emblem, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Emblem Cannabis Corporation, is a fully integrated licensed producer and distributor of medical cannabis and cannabis derivatives in Canada under the ACMPR. Emblem's state-of-the-art indoor cannabis cultivation facility and research and development laboratory is located in Paris, Ontario. Led by an experienced management team of healthcare executives, accomplished marketing professionals, and cannabis experts, Emblem is focused on driving shareholder value through product innovation, brand relevance, and access to patient and consumer channels. Emblem is also the parent company of GrowWise Health Limited, one of Canada's leading cannabis education services. Emblem trades under the ticker symbol EMC on the TSX Venture Exchange.
About Compass
Compass, through Compass Cannabis Clinics is a medical cannabis consultation company whose core business is focused on providing educational and consultation services to Canadians who are able to obtain cannabis from a licensed producer under the ACMPR. With a rapidly growing patient base of approximately 8,000 patients currently being served and an aggressive real estate acquisition strategy, the company aims to be one of the largest retail cannabis organizations in Canada with ongoing development strategies to expand internationally. Learn more about Compass at https://compasscannabis.ca/.
For further information contact:
Ethan Karayannopoulos
Investor Relations
Emblem Corp.
647.748.9696
ethank@emblemcorp.com
Alex Stojanovic
Chief Financial Officer
Emblem Corp.
416.923.1331
alexs@emblemcorp.com
Dave Martyn
President
Compass Cannabis Clinic / Starbuds Canada
investor@compasscannabis.com
For media inquiries regarding Compass Cannabis Clinic and Starbuds Canada, contact Brookline Public Relations: lkruk@brooklinepr.com
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should" or similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes. Management of the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date hereof but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. Various material factors and assumptions are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking statements. Those material factors and assumptions are based on information currently available to the Company, including data from publicly available governmental sources as well as from market research and industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of this industry which Emblem believes to be reasonable. However, although generally indicative of relative market positions, market shares and performance characteristics, such data is inherently imprecise. While Emblem is not aware of any misstatement regarding any industry or government data presented herein, the medical marijuana industry involves risks and uncertainties and is subject to change based on various factors.
Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to and involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause the Company's actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks identified in the Company's December 31, 2017 Management's Discussion and Analysis, which has been filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available on www.sedar.com. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.
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