Source: CannaNative
October 12, 2015 09:00 ET
CannaNative: Historic Partnership Offers 566 Native American Tribes and Sovereign Nations Sustainable Cannabis-Based Economic Solutions
Native American-Focused Company Brings Experience to Pave the Way for Indigenous Tribes to Restore Cannabis Cultivation, Use, Research, Commerce and Banking on Tribal Lands
SAN DIEGO, Oct. 12, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Native American tribes are positioned to benefit from the official launch of CannaNative, LLC. CannaNative™ is the premiere majority Native American-owned and operated company to assist tribal nations – more than 560 tribes in the U.S. – with utilizing the rapidly emerging cannabis industry to gain true sovereignty: restored self-sufficiency with complete economic and environmental sustainability.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da498128-198e-4bd0-ae15-b0d33cd5cd99
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In addition to a booming marijuana industry, current U.S. imports of hemp products are valued at $620 million annually. CannaNative™ will usher a new age for sovereign nations, as Native American tribes have unique rights that allow for cannabis (marijuana and industrial hemp) cultivation, manufacturing, marketing, sales, use, distribution, medical research and even banking institutions for the rapidly growing cash-and-carry industry.
CannaNative™ was recently featured in a Bloomberg issued report titled Where to Stash Cannabis Cash? Tribal Nations Make Bid to Bank It introducing the Native American economic development and advisory group. The report answers the question that Bloomberg recently posed, “Does Anybody Want $3 Billion in Cash From Pot Sales? Big Banks Say No, Thanks”.
The vision for CannaNative™ began with former tribal Chairman, Anthony Rivera, Jr., who evaluated the emerging cannabis industry and viable business partnerships in late 2014. By early 2015, Rivera established a majority partnership with General Hemp, LLC, and launched the unprecedented venture CannaNative, LLC. CannaNative™ plans to bring back improved health, wellness and prosperity to all tribal nations – with cannabis.
“We are honored to take part in this historic venture between Native Americans and our group that has developed the largest hemp CBD pipeline,” states Stuart W. Titus, PhD and President of General Hemp, LLC. “Native Americans generally have a good amount of agricultural land that can be used to grow a robust hemp crop. I’m also very excited about the potential for medical marijuana to be grown and researched on native lands; that opens up a great amount of possibilities for tribes and the industry.“
Rivera states, “To move forward, one must first take a look back at our ancient heritage.”
According to hemp history, carbon tests have suggested that the use of wild hemp dates as far back as 8000 B.C. The Columbia History of the World (1996) states that weaving of hemp fiber began over 10,000 years ago. Native American natural remedies and farming heritage and culture dates back centuries.
Hemp was grown at Mount Vernon, and George Washington became interested in the crop by 1765 to serve as one of the staple crops to replace the cultivation of tobacco. Washington is quoted as saying, “The Hemp may be sown anywhere.”
In 17th Century America, farmers in Virginia, Massachusetts and Connecticut were ordered by law to grow “Indian hemp”. By the early 18th century, a person could be sentenced to jail if they weren’t growing hemp on their land; hemp was considered to be legal tender. For over 200 years in colonial America, hemp was currency that one could use to pay their taxes with.
The reason, Rivera states, “Cannabis benefits Mother Earth and mankind.”
There are more than 25,000 known uses for industrial hemp including: pulp, paper, insulation, biocomposites, construction materials, food, feed and pharmaceuticals. Hemp is used today for soil remediation in polluted areas; planting cannabis naturally eliminates toxins and restores balance. With no need for herbicides or pesticides, cannabis is a proven eco-friendly resource.
The crop flourished until negative propaganda created stigma of its use in the late 1930s. By the early 1940s, the botanical was removed from the U.S. economy and pharmacopeia. Its demonization and elimination was extended to tribal nations through Federal law.
Today with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Wilkinson and Cole memorandums, that has all changed. Functioning as an educational and advisory group on the cannabis industry, CannaNative™ has traveled to numerous leaders on reservations. Meetings focus on building their nations with sustainable cannabis-based solutions, as well as protecting tribal sovereignty through strict regulations and collaboration with legal authorities.
Rivera continues, “The response has been 100% positive. Helping tribes create and implement proprietary solutions in the cannabis industry will take them to true sovereignty. Cannabis restoration by sovereign nations represents a unique advantage that is larger than the multi-billion dollar Native American gaming industry.”
Titus adds, “Native Americans have done a lot to get the gaming industry ‘banked’ so to speak; the Native American gaming industry represents a proven banking model in a cash-based industry. Another thing we are interested in is developing banking solutions for the cannabis industry. Through the development of CannaNative, we are very excited about the numerous opportunities before us.”
Rivera concludes, “In the gaming industry, location is key and not all tribes are benefitting. However, the cannabis industry is limited to only land and imagination. The gaming industry is a great stepping stone proving that native tribes already have a blueprint for success in a cash-driven industry. Becoming involved in the cannabis industry levels the playing field for all tribes. We are here to help tribes grow with CannaNative.”
About CannaNative’s Leadership Team:
Anthony Rivera, Jr. leads CannaNative, LLC, an innovative company working with Native American Sovereign Nations to establish a self-sustaining Cannabis and Industrial Hemp economy on sovereign lands. He is Harvard University trained and governed his Indian Tribe as Tribal Chairman. He has also earned earned his wings with over twenty years of experience in management and business development, academic and government assignments and financial services. He has served various businesses and tribal organizations as an Executive Leader, Elected Official, Project Manager, Lead Negotiator, Business Diplomat, Financial Specialist, Academic Instructor, Security Operator, and Cultural Specialist. In his role as Tribal Chairman of the Acjachemen Nation in southern California, Anthony was instrumental in leading the tribe’s economic and political efforts in both California and in Washington D.C. He is the Owner and Founder of 7 Green Feathers and has demonstrated his trustworthiness throughout Indian Country.
Dr. Cedric Black Eagle, Co-Founder of CannaNative, served as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Crow Tribe of Montana and has a background in business administration and Indian Law. Dr. Black Eagle was instrumental in negotiating the Crow Nation Indian Water Rights Settlement and continues to serve as a consultant to Indian tribes on Indian economic development projects, Indian water rights, and Indian energy projects. Dr. Black Eagle formed Black Eagle Enterprise International, serving as the company’s president.
Andy Nakai, Co-Founder of CannaNative, is a member of the Navajo Nation whose passion is to create and develop economies on reservations all across the country. A graduate of the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, Nakai studied finance at the graduate school at the University of Utah. He began working with tribal economics and finance issues in 1995, and has represented more than thirty tribes and tribal enterprises to date. A former Vice President in the banking industry, Nakai served as a Board Member for the Navajo Partnership for Housing and American Indian. Currently, he is Vice Chairman for the Board of Directors for Navajo CDFI, which is poised to be the largest Native CDFI for Indian Country.
For more information on CannaNative, visit the Company’s website at www.CannaNative.com
About CannaNative LLC.
CannaNative’s goal is to help tribes to develop hemp and cannabis-based economies on Native American lands throughout the United States. We believe that every tribe should have the opportunity to establish and grow a responsible, cannabis-based economy to sustain all future generations. For more information on CannaNative, visit the Company’s website at www.CannaNative.com
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) DISCLOSURE
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections.This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Medical Marijuana Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein.
LEGAL DISCLOSURE
Medical Marijuana Inc. does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US.CSA). The Company does grow, sell, and distribute hemp-based products and is involved with the federally legal distribution of medical marijuana-based products within certain international markets. Cannabidiol is a natural constituent of hemp oil.
The final photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.
For further information, please contact: Media Contact: Andrew Hard Chief Executive Officer CMW Media P. 858-380-5478 andrew.hard@cmwmedia.com www.cmwmedia.com Corporate Contact: CannaNative, LLC. 550 West "C" Street, Ste. 2040 San Diego, CA 92101 877.989.6420 www.CannaNative.com
Attachments:
Anthony Rivera, Jr., Co-Founder of CannaNative, LLC, signs historic majority partnership agreement with General Hemp, LLC.
Dr. Cedric Black Eagle, Co-Founder of CannaNative, LLC, signs historic majority partnership agreement with General Hemp, LLC.
Industrial hemp provides more than 25,000 known uses. Source: Congressional Research Service
Andy Nakai, Anthony Rivera, Jr., Stuart W. Titus, PhD, and Dr. Cedric Black Eagle represent the founders of CannaNative, LLC.
