Marijuana Business Magazine - April 2018

COMPANY NEWS U.S. DEVELOPMENTS Tobacco Makes a Play Alliance Once International , a big U.S. tobacco company that trades on the New York Stock Exchange, bought controlling stakes in two Canadian marijuana produc- ers and invested in a North Carolina hemp grower, making what is believed to be the first foray by a significant tobacco business into the cannabis industry. Based in Morrisville, North Carolina, Alliance said it acquired a 75% equity position in Canada’s Island Garden and an 80% stake in Goldleaf Pharm, as well as a 40% equity position in North Carolina-based Criticality, with an option to increase that up to 50% by 2020. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed. Grower-Dispensary Company Partners With Edibles Firm Chicago-based Green Thumb Industries , a multistate medical marijuana cultivation and dispensary operator, is partnering with Colorado-based MC Brands , the intellectual property licensing company responsible for the Incredibles cannabis-infused brand. The partnership allows GTI to produce and distribute Incredibles’ products to patients in Illinois. & Recent deals, acquisitions and other announcements from North American cannabis companies Wheelin' Dealin' By Omar Sacirbey BioTrackTHC Wins North Dakota Contract BioTrackTHC was awarded the contract to provide North Dakota with a seed-to-sale medical mari- juana traceability program. The Florida-based company will be paid $589,000 over five years for a tag-based model. GB Sciences Sells LSU Stake GB Sciences , a Las Vegas company contracted to develop the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center’s medical marijuana products and manufacturing program, sold a 15% stake in the company to Lafayette, Louisiana- based Wellcana Group for $3 million. The agreement gives Wellcana the option to purchase an additional 35% of equity in GB Sciences Louisiana for $7 million. Fourth Corner’s Conditional Account The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City informed Fourth Corner Credit Union that it would “conditionally grant” the Denver financial institution a so-called master account. The Federal Reserve bank granted the account with the condition that Fourth Corner serve only advocacy groups, charities and ancillary companies such as account- ants, but not plant-touching businesses. Deidra O'Gorman, CEO Fourth Corner Credit Union Pete Kadens, CEO GTI 102 • Marijuana Business Magazine • April 2018