COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., June 23, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTCBB:CBIS), a pioneering U.S. biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis products, is pleased to note that there has been extensive reporting on Governor Brian Schweitzer first visit to a medical marijuana clinic run by Montana Pain Management in Missoula last Friday. His visit came on the same day that Cannabis Science announced that it was acquiring MPM, http://www.montanapm.com/tour, which added another dimension to the story.
(His visit was reported in our last press release: http://cannabisscience.com/news-a-media/press-releases/187-montama-governor-visits-new-cbis-acquisition.html )
Joe Nickell, writing in The Missoulian, reported that Schweitzer "made clear both his continued support for a legally sanctioned medical marijuana industry and his belief that new legislation governing the industry is imminent and necessary."
Schweitzer is quoted as saying, "I think it's unrealistic to say to legitimate medical patients that have found benefit from medical marijuana that you can no longer access this. I think we need to tighten up the laws. The business has gotten out ahead of the regulatory environment, and we need to build some boundaries."
Accompanied by local television crews, the Governor spent 45 minutes meeting with Rick Rosio, president and CEO of Missoula's Montana Pain Management, and said that he was impressed by the sophistication of Rosio's operation.
Video of Governor's visit: http://cannabisscience.com/news-a-media/press-releases/188-kpax-news-schweitzer-visits-missoula-medical.html
An Associated Press story was also picked up by PharmaPro.com, which specializes in pharmaceutical industry news. (http://www.pharmpro.com/News/FeedsAP/2010/06/gov-visits-medical-marijuana-clinic-in-missoula/ )
PharmaPro noted, "Schweitzer and Rosio agreed that the number of independent, commercial growers should be limited, and that taxing medical marijuana is probably necessary to pay for increased regulation."
Dr. Robert Melamede, PhD., Cannabis Science President and CEO, stated,"We look forward to working with Governor Schweitzer and Rick Rosio to develop regulations that will protect the patients' access to medicine while maintaining scientific standards and professional management. We think that MPM will be the model for the new state regulations, and will be able to help far more patients get medical cannabis.
"As the song says, 'Times, they are a changing.' People in a free country have a fundamental right to choose an herbal medicine that helps relieve their pain. Governmental insistence on the use of lethal and addictive drugs is no longer acceptable scientifically or to the people who are now benefiting from the alternative."
Rosio added, "Having the distinct honor to spend time with Governor Schweitzer discussing the medical cannabis issue, I explained how we operate in compliance with state laws, and that Montana Pain Management's acquisition by Cannabis Science will facilitate a scientific approach to the development of this important new application for medical cannabis."
Richard Cowan, Cannabis Science CFO, said the company's aim in purchasing medical marijuana clinics is to expand its research base as it aims to ultimately develop FDA-approved pharmaceutical cannabis products.
"Our primary focus is on developing medicines for patients, and the more patients you have, the better your research base can be," Cowan said. "That's the biggest advantage to us in acquiring a facility like Montana Pain Management. Because of being focused on the science, we need to work with people who have high standards, which Rick Rosio and his staff certainly do."
Rosio said the deal will allow him to hire another six to eight full-time employees, open a call center and take on an additional 100 medical marijuana patients per month and move his clinic to a new, larger location -- all while lowering prices for his products and services.
About Cannabis Science, Inc.
Cannabis Science, Inc. is at the forefront of medical marijuana research and development. The Company works with world authorities on phytocannabinoid science targeting critical illnesses, and adheres to scientific methodologies to develop, produce, and commercialize phytocannabinoid-based pharmaceutical products. In sum, we are dedicated to the creation of cannabis-based medicines, both with and without psychoactive properties, to treat disease and the symptoms of disease, as well as for general health maintenance.
Forward Looking Statements; This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. A statement containing words such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs. Cannabis Science, Inc. does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements.