Global Cannabis Partnership Welcomes Five New Members

Momentum continues to build as membership expands across North America.

SAINT JOHN, March 19, 2019 /CNW/ - The Global Cannabis Partnership (GCP) is pleased to announce today the addition of five new Members.

The GCP welcomes Canndescent, Cronos Group, MNP LLP, ONE Cannabis Group and Rubicon Organics Inc. With a mandate to establish social responsibility standards for the cannabis industry worldwide, membership is open to government agencies, licensed producers, national associations, industry partners and community groups who play a role in the cannabis industry supply chain.

Canndescent became the first cannabis cultivator in the world to abandon traditional strain names and pioneer effects-based cannabis and is currently considered one of California's top selling brands of luxury flower products. Also joining from the U.S. is cannabis operator and franchisor ONE Cannabis Group, which has five franchise agreements signed for Colorado development, as well as several agreements in the works in North America with different entrepreneurial teams. Joining from Canada, Cronos Group is an innovative global cannabinoid company committed to advancing cannabis research, technology and product development. MNP LLP is the fifth largest national accounting and consulting firm in Canada and a leading advisor in the cannabis industry, servicing clients internationally. Rubicon Organics Inc. is a Licensed Producer focused on building super-premium organic cannabis brands with operations in Canada, Washington and California.

"As the industry continues to grow, our membership is expanding along with it," says Kim Wilson, Executive Director. "We're thrilled to have these new Members, who are committed to Corporate Social Responsibility and making a positive contribution to the Partnership. The diversity of our membership brings a broad perspective and expertise to the table, which will help us set standards and guidelines for best practices in the cannabis industry worldwide."

The new five Members expand GCP's total membership number to 37.

The Partnership is working to create international standards for the safe and responsible production, distribution and consumption of legal cannabis.

A full list of Founding Members and Members can be found at globalcannabispartnership.com.
For information about joining the GCP, contact Kim Wilson, Executive Director, at 506.646.9960 or [email protected].

About the Global Cannabis Partnership:
Founded by Revolution Strategy, the Global Cannabis Partnership (GCP) is a not-for-profit collaboration of leaders in the government-sanctioned, adult-use recreational cannabis industry. With representation from government, private-sector and affiliate organizations, the GCP is creating an international standard for the safe and responsible production, distribution and consumption of legal recreational cannabis. One of its first activities will be to create a Responsible Cannabis Framework, to shape the face of social responsibility in the recreational cannabis industry. For more information, visit globalcannabispartnership.com.

New GCP Member Quotes:

Canndescent
"As one of the leading cannabis brands in the United States, we're excited to be a part of this initiative to take cannabis social responsibility to the next level," says Tom DiGiovanni, Chief Financial Officer. "Two of Canndescent's brand pillars are Excellence and Character. Excellence embodies doing everything possible to deliver an unparalleled experience. Character is about integrity and ensuring we have fair labor practices, are sustainably and environmentally focused and conduct our business ethically. The cannabis industry is still in its infant stage and now is the right time to lay the groundwork to instill consumer confidence."

Cronos Group
"We joined the GCP because we wanted to help shape the face of social responsibility for the global cannabis industry in such an important time," says Anna Shlimak, Head of Investor Relations and Communications. "Cronos Group takes pride in leading the industry forward responsibly and CSR is an important and evolving area of focus for the company. Cronos Group is dedicated to demonstrating leadership on challenging issues and contributing solutions through research, education and engagement."

MNP LLP:
"MNP joined the GCP to collaborate with other industry leaders as the cannabis industry in Canada steps into the spotlight on a global stage," says Glenn Fraser, National Leader, Food & Beverage Processing; National Leader, Cannabis. "When MNP decided to enter the cannabis industry in 2013, we made a point to integrate ourselves with the people and organizations propelling the Canadian cannabis industry forward. Through our membership with the Global Cannabis Partnership, we're at the table with our peers continuing the development of the adult-use recreational cannabis industry in Canada and beyond."

ONE Cannabis Group:
"We joined the Global Cannabis Partnership to enhance our efforts and help develop best practices in the United States," says Baruch HaLevi, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility. "As a company, we believe that doing good and being profitable aren't mutually exclusive. With our ten years of cannabis operational experience, we're taking a proactive approach to designing a model that benefits all parties involved, especially the social equity partner."

Rubicon Organics Inc.:
"Rubicon Organics is fully committed to supporting our communities, protecting and preserving our natural resources, and ensuring that cannabis plays a positive role in society," says Jesse McConnell, CEO and Co-Founder. "Joining the GCP further strengthens this commitment, enabling us to work with likeminded partners to develop a governance framework which promotes the safe and responsible production, distribution and consumption of legal cannabis. We seek to collaborate and enhance other sustainably led organizations to create a social system that ensures quality of life, while conserving the environment and its resources."

Additional New GCP Member Information:

empowers adults to turn down the noise, unlock the moment and transform their lives with ultra-premium cannabis products. In 2015 Canndescent became the first cannabis cultivator in the world to abandon traditional strain names and pioneer effects-based cannabis, selling its flowers under the names Calm, Cruise, Create, Connect and Charge. The company opened the first municipally permitted facility in California in 2016 and became California's #1-selling flower brand in 2017. Canndescent became the state's #1-selling brand of luxury flower products in 2018. Consumers can purchase Canndescent's products at leading dispensary and delivery services throughout California.

Cronos Group is an innovative global cannabinoid company with international production and distribution across five continents. Cronos Group is committed to building disruptive intellectual property by advancing cannabis research, technology and product development. With a passion to responsibly elevate the consumer experience, Cronos Group is building an iconic brand portfolio. Cronos Group's portfolio includes Peace Naturalstm, a global health and wellness platform, and two adult-use brands COVEtm and Spinachtm. 

MNP LLP is the fifth largest national accounting and consulting firm in Canada, providing client-focused accounting, taxation and consulting advice. National in scope and local in focus, MNP has proudly served individuals and public and private companies for 60 years. MNP is also a leading advisor in the cannabis industry ? servicing clients in the industry in Canada, the U.S. and internationally. Through the development of strong relationships, MNP provides personalized strategies and a local perspective to help them succeed.

ONE Cannabis Group, Inc. (OCG) is a vertically-integrated cannabis operator and franchisor founded on the proven business model perfected by ten-year industry veteran and founder of Green Man Cannabis (GMC), Christian Hageseth. The company began franchising in early 2018 and currently has five franchise agreements signed for Colorado development, as well as several agreements in the works in other U.S. states and in Canada with different entrepreneurial teams. OCG recently launched a social equity program called SEED, which stands for Social Equity & Economic Development and adapts the ONE Cannabis franchise model to meet the needs of social equity partners.

Rubicon Organics Inc. ("Rubicon Organics" or the "Company") (CSE:ROMJ) (OTCQX:ROMJF) is a Licensed Producer focused on building super-premium organic cannabis brands with operations in Canada, Washington and California. Rubicon Organics' flagship Canadian facility is a 125,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art hybrid facility with industry leading LED lighting and is located on a 20-acre property in Delta, British Columbia. The Company's Washington facility is a newly constructed, 40,000 sq. ft. hybrid greenhouse and extraction facility. Rubicon Organics has commenced production in both facilities with a combined Phase I capacity of 15,500 kg per year, including 4,500 kg leased to a Washington State licensed operator applying Rubicon Organics' proprietary organic cultivation methods. The Company also owns two award-winning U.S. cannabis brands: 1964 Supply Co.^TM in California and Doctor & Crook Co.^TM in Washington.

SOURCE Global Cannabis Partnership