NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kannalife Sciences, Inc., a Phyto-Medical Company (“Kannalife”), announced the signing of a binding memorandum of understanding with Gridiron Cannabis Coalition, LLC (“Gridiron”).
Gridiron is an organization dedicated to the advancement of cannabis as a treatment for injuries and illnesses that athletes, specifically football players, endure as a result of their careers. Gridiron works with National Football League players, current and retired, led by Kyle Turley, a Gridiron spokesperson for the problems players face regarding concussive injury and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (“CTE”). To date, Kannalife’s pre-clinical research and development work on cannabidiol (“CBD”), for the creation of a cannabinoid-based therapeutic using CBD to treat concussive injury and CTE has been well represented and discussed in the news and media by Marvin Washington, spokesperson for Kannalife.
Now Kannalife and Gridiron, along with their leading advocates, Kyle Turley and Marvin Washington, have joined forces to work together in the establishment of clinical protocols for a future clinical trial involving current and retired NFL football players suffering with different grades of CTE and concussive injury. In addition to the proposed study groups made up of current and retired NFL football players, Kannalife and Gridiron also plan to expand the proposed CTE trial to others suffering from repetitive concussive injury and insult, such as hockey players, soccer players, military personnel and individuals who have suffered life altering personal injury, but have not yet sought cannabinoid-based therapeutic treatment.
“By joining forces with Gridiron, going into 2016 we believe that our joint efforts will become an amplified beacon of light to current and former NFL football players seeking answers and advocacy for the use of cannabinoid therapies to treat mild traumatic brain injury, concussions and CTE,” stated, Dean Petkanas, CEO of Kannalife Sciences, Inc.
Michael Cindrich, Co-Founder of Gridiron Cannabis Coalition LLC, stated, “Gridiron Cannabis Coalition is excited at the opportunity to work with Kannalife on the advancement of cannabinoid-based research and treatment for brain disease and bodily injury. We believe this venture has the potential to change the way we address these injuries, and hope the NFL will use our findings to create a reasonable approach to treatment and substance abuse policy.”
For more information on CTE visit: www.treatCTE.org
About Kannalife Sciences, Inc.
Kannalife Sciences, Inc. is a phyto-medical company involved in the research and development of novel therapeutic agents designed to be neuroprotectants and immuno-modulators. KannaLife is currently conducting research and development at the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center in Doylestown, PA, for target drug candidates to treat Hepatic Encephalopathy (“HE”) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (“CTE”). Kannalife holds two licenses from National Institutes of Health for the use of U.S. Patent 6,630,507 “Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants” (the “‘507 Patent”). The licenses are for the use of the ‘507 Patent in the commercial development of cannabinoid therapeutics to treat hepatic encephalopathy (“HE”) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (“CTE”). Both HE and CTE are oxidative stress related diseases that affect cognitive and behavioral functions.
For more information about Kannalife visit: www.kannalife.com
About Gridiron Cannabis Coalition, LLC
Gridiron Cannabis Coalition is an organization dedicated to the advancement of medicinal cannabis as a treatment for brain disease and bodily injuries resulting from playing professional sports. Driven by research and development, GCC is committed to the evolution of the natural healing elements of the cannabis plant. Made up of current and former NFL players, cannabis industry experts, and medical professionals, GCC’s mission is to promote cannabis and other natural holistic medicines as an alternative to dangerous pharmaceuticals.
For more information please visit www.gridironcannabis.com.
Public Relations contact:
CMW Media
Andrew Hard, CEO
(888) 829-0070
www.cmwmedia.com
Corporate contact:
Kannalife Sciences, Inc.
Dean Petkanas, CEO
(516) 669-3219
www.Kannalife.com