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CannaInsider.com Estimates 200,000 New Jobs in the Cannabis Industry by 2015

Colorado and Washington State are not the only states that have legalized adult use of cannabis. Oregon, Alaska, and Washington, D.C. ended prohibition during the November 2014 elections.

The benefits of legalizing cannabis are manifold. There are the most frequently noted and obvious benefits like the increased tax revenue for state and local governments, in addition to reduced stress on the criminal justice system. However the biggest advantage of legalizing adult use of cannabis is increased job growth.

CannaInsider.com has estimated that states that have passed adult use of cannabis will create over 200,000 new jobs in the cannabis field in 2015. CannaInsider.com provides a comprehensive list of some of these job descriptions created by the cannabis industry, allowing people to become familiar with these new opportunities.

One new job that is highly sought after is that of a “bud tender” — the term originally derived from “bar tender” — which describes the sommelier of the cannabis world. It is the job of the bud tender to help a medical marijuana patient or recreational user understand the best strain of cannabis for a specific desired effect. It is not uncommon for bud tenders to have huge tip jars filled by grateful patrons.

Other positions resulted from the cannabis industry hold the titles of: edible artisan, extraction technician, and dispensary manager. While a stigma remains associated with cannabis use in many parts of the country, it is fading fast – especially among young adults in the “Millennial” generation who are struggling to pay off student loans and may still be living with their parents.

Melissa Hopkins of Broomfield Colorado was recently hired in a cannabis-testing lab in Denver. “I graduated with a sociology degree last year, and it has been a struggle to find full-time work. I am excited by the job opportunities in the cannabis space, I feel like this industry is here to stay and I can work my way up the ladder.”

According to Matt Karnes, Founder and Managing Partner of GreenWave Advisors, LLC, an independent financial research and advisory firm for the marijuana industry, “By 2020, assuming the most likely progression of state by state legalization, we expect the combined (medical and adult use) retail marijuana market to reach $21 Billion. Jobs are just the beginning, a cultural shift towards the cannabis plant is taking place.”

 

December 12, 2014
Press Releases, Science

Psychiatric Times Reports From the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry Annual Meeting

UBM Medica US announces that Psychiatric Times, a leading online community for mental health professionals, reports on the field of addiction psychiatry from the 25th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) in Aventura, Florida. Some highlights from the conference include:

  • Diagnosing and Treating Substance Use Disorders in General Psychiatry: How does the diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders fit into the general practice of psychiatry? Dr. Laurence Westreich, President of the AAAP, addresses that question in this podcast.
  • Addictive Disorders: Updates and Findings: Ismene L. Petrakis, MD touches on alcohol use disorders, e-cigarettes, prescription opioid use and abuse, cannabis use, stimulant use, medical marijuana, gambling, and opioid antagonist therapy to prevent overdose.
  • What All Psychiatrists Need to Know About Addictions: Because at least 10% of the US population suffers from a substance use disorder in any given year, the AAAP has expanded its longstanding Board Review Course in Addictions to a more inclusive “Addictions and Their Treatment” course.
  • Special Populations in Addiction Psychiatry: The Elderly and Women Medication misuse and alcohol abuse are a huge problem in the US, and women and the elderly are not exempt. In this Q&A, Louis A. Trevisan, MD touches on the epidemiology, recognition, assessment, and treatment of substance use disorder in these two populations.
  • Adolescent Marijuana Use and Vulnerability for Neuropsychiatric Disorders: An overview of some of the recent scientific data examining the relationship between adolescent marijuana use and later onset of neuropsychiatric disorders.
  • Pharmacogenetics to Predict Treatment Outcome in Substance Use Disorders: This brief communication by Hussam Jefee-Bahloul, MD highlights the importance of genetic predictors and moderators of treatment research in the field of substance use.

Additionally, several prominent psychiatrists presented their expertise in podcasts and videos featured on Psychiatric Times:

  • Treatment for Cocaine Dependence
  • Motivational Interviewing: An Inspirational Overview
  • Effects of Adolescent Marijuana Use on Cognition

Psychiatric Times is the country’s leading psychiatric publication and regularly publishes content on key issues in mental health.

About UBM Medica US
Addressing today’s healthcare information needs, UBM Medica US, delivers strategic, integrated communications solutions and comprehensive reach — online, in print, via custom programs and live events. Improving the effectiveness of healthcare through information and education, UBM Medica US provides unbiased clinical, practical, and business information for physicians, providers and payers resulting in improved quality of care for patients around the world. Through journals, magazines, online communities, live and digital events, and other valuable resources, UBM Medica US also delivers comprehensive communication solutions for the pharmaceutical and related industries. Online communities include CancerNetwork.com, ConsultantLive.com, DiagnosticImaging.com, RheumatologyNetwork.com, OBGYN.net, PhysiciansPractice.com, PsychiatricTimes.com and SearchMedica.com. UBM Medica US is part of UBM Americas which, through a range of aligned interactive environments, both physical and digital – increases business effectiveness for both customers and audiences through meaningful experiences, knowledge and connections.  Headquartered in New York, UBM Americas brings together UBM’s healthcare business, UBM Medica US; UBM Tech’s technology communities, live events and custom services; UBM Canon’s advanced design and manufacturing event, online and print brands; UBM Connect New York’s catering, cruise shipping, contact-center management, and fine, specialty and custom chemical communities; and UBM Mexico’s concrete, construction and hospitality services shows.  For more information, visit www.UBMMedicaUS.com.

About UBM plc
UBM plc is a global events-led marketing services and communications company.  We help businesses do business, bringing the world’s buyers and sellers together at events and online, as well as producing and distributing news and specialist content.  Our 5,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organized into expert teams which serve commercial and professional communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.

December 10, 2014
Press Releases, Stocks, Technology

Cannabis Kinetics Corp. to Launch Re-Branded Monarch America Social Media Strategy

Cannabis Kinetics Corp. (“Cannabis Kinetics” or the “Company”) (pending name change to Monarch America Inc.) is pleased to announce the Company’s plan to launch its re-branded social media presence and strategy.

“Re-branding our established social media presence as Monarch America and implementing an effective pro-active social media strategy will be an important factor to our success going-forward as we communicate our new expanded multifaceted business model, particularly outside the marijuana sector,” stated Eric Hagen, CEO of the Company.  “This integrated social media strategy will engage with our current and potential customers, partners, retailers, distributors, and the investment community to build and maintain a positive image of Monarch America as we launch new exclusive consumer products and brands, potentially expand into new markets across the country, and identify further possible partnerships and targeted acquisitions.”

Hagen concluded, “Our social media friends and followers have the opportunity to receive the latest company news, discuss Monarch America brand products and services, view exclusive photos and videos, and connect with important new product launch information.  We are confident that this coordinated social media strategy will help to build awareness for Monarch America and support the Company’s mission to become an innovative corporate and community leader.”

The Company anticipates providing new website and social media links through its current website www.CannabisKinetics.com over the next 72 hours and in subsequent press releases.

Cannabis Kinetics Corp. (pending name change to Monarch America Inc.) files reports with the Securities & Exchange Commission on EDGAR and anticipates continuing to file such reports.  The Company’s filings can be viewed at www.sec.gov.

December 10, 2014
Business, Press Releases, Science, Stocks, Technology

Canada ranked as No. 1 country to visit

The international love affair with Canada shows no signs of cooling off. According to a new study from the Reputation Institute, Canada is the top country in the world to visit, live in, study and attend or organize events. A beautiful and enjoyable country, friendly and welcoming people, contributions to global culture and safe environment were key drivers in the rankings.

The 2014 Country RepTrak™ report ranked Canada as the country with the No. 2 best overall reputation in the world, after three consecutive years holding the top spot.

The Reputation Institute, which operates in 30 countries, is known as the world’s leading reputation management consultancy. The 2014 Country RepTrak™ report is based on the online answers from 26,000 consumers in the G8 countries and focuses on the 55 countries around the world with the highest GDP. Trust, esteem, admiration and good feelings the public holds towards these countries, as well as quality of life, safety and attention to the environment are all major factors in the results. According to the Reputation Institute, there is a clear correlation between a country’s reputation and the income it receives from tourism.

“For international travellers, conventions and meetings held in Canada can be the first spark that ignites interest in doing business that leads to investment, in addition to exploring the unique experiences that our country offers,” says Greg Klassen, Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) president and CEO (Interim). “Canada’s leadership in such areas as natural resources, life sciences and aerospace technologies helps make us an important destination for international meetings and conferences.”

Countries with a strong reputation attract more tourists as well as foreign knowledge, investment and talent.  As visitors—including business people, future immigrants, investors, entrepreneurs and academics—become acquainted with Canada and its high-quality products, services and facilities, they can become advocates for the country, identifying business partnerships and creating a foundation for future trade relationships.

“It’s fantastic that the world holds Canada in such high esteem, which helps make our country such a desirable place to visit,” saysJon Mamela, CTC Chief Marketing Officer. “Looking ahead into 2015, we will continue to offer diverse experiences to curious travellers keen to live a life less ordinary by enjoying our incredible nature, dynamic cities, unique culture and local lifestyles.”

There is no stopping the demand for tourism around the world, with international arrivals expected to grow as much as 4.5% in 2014, according to the UNWTO. Tourism is Canada’s largest service export, contributing $16.4 billion in 2013. Canada is also the No. 1 location for outbound meetings business from the US, which brings in about $1.5 billion annually.

November 4, 2014
Business, Press Releases, Science, Stocks, Technology

Are You Too Social For Your Smartphone?

Aside from the usual suspects like games and social media, streaming and even pre-installed apps are the most likely to chew your smartphone or tablet battery and storage, according to the latest AVG Android™ App Trend Tracker Report from AVG Technologies N.V. (NYSE: AVG), the online security company™ for 182 million active users.

The Q3 report, based on AVG’s analysis of anonymous data from over one million AVG Android app users, charts the top apps worldwide that affect smartphone and tablet performance in terms of data plan consumption, storage capacity and battery life. With its constant background notification checks, which run even when the app is not open, the social networking app from Facebook emerged as having the biggest impact on your mobile device when it comes to overall performance.

Social apps were well-represented in the Tracker with two other social apps, Path and Instagram, making the top five most performance drains. With phone and tablet space at more of a premium than ever, the report also found that real-time news apps featured prominently in the charts. Amongst the list of storage eating apps, the New York Times Breaking News app, which caches the articles accessed through it, was most likely to chew up a device’s storage, ranking higher than Facebook and Spotify. People’s data plans were also likely to be affected by CNN’s Breaking US & World News app and the UK’s Daily Mail app.

“The goal of the App Trend Tracker Report is to analyze anonymized data to give users the important information they need to make informed choices about what they can do to continue to enjoy their favorite apps while reducing their impact on their device,” saidYuval Ben-Itzhak, Chief Technology Officer, AVG Technologies. “It might not be obvious what Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, 8 Ball Pool and Farm Heroes Saga have in common. But in our tech-centric world, running out of battery or storage space at the moment you need it most is hugely frustrating, and that’s why this degree is insight is vital.”

Some other key findings:

  • Some handset makers are draining their own devices. For example, AVG identified three pre-installed Samsung apps (AllShare Cast Dongle, ChatON, WatchON) in the top 10 list of battery draining apps, excluding games. The Samsung WatchON for video also topped the list for auto-starting battery eating apps due to the visual content the app delivers.
  • Three of the most resource-hungry day-to-day tool apps came from Google, with Google Now/Search, Google Text-to-Speech and Google Translate ranking within the top five. The Chrome Browser for mobile also made the list of top 10 storage eaters.
  • Games significantly reduce battery life. Four of the top 10 battery-chewing games came from game producer King, the company behind the ‘Saga’ series.
November 4, 2014
Business, Press Releases, Science, Stocks, Technology

CarCharging Partners with the City of Plano

Car Charging Group, Inc. (OTCQB: CCGI) (“CarCharging” or the “Company”), the largest owner, operator and provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging services, announced today that it has executed an agreement with the City of Plano, Texas for the operation and maintenance of 19 Blink EV charging stations across 7 locations. The Blink EV charging locations include Russell Creek Park, Maribelle Davis Library, Carpenter Park Recreation Center, and Oak Point Recreation Center.

“Texas continues to be a strong growth market for CarCharging, so we are pleased to complete this agreement with the City of Plano,” said Michael D. Farkas, CarCharging’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “Located within the Dallas-Fort Worthmetropolitan area, Plano offers the opportunity to expand the services we provide across the state and widen our leadership position in the Southern U.S.”

“Given our vision for the city of Plano, we’re excited to be working with CarCharging to maintain and manage our existing Blink EV charging stations,” said Steve Stoler, Spokesperson for the City of Plano. “Electric vehicle use continues to accelerate, and we believe that by partnering with CarCharging, we can provide the best environment for our residents to take advantage of this clean energy alternative to combustion-based transportation.”

Blink Level II EV chargers are able to rapidly recharge electric cars, and accept payment with the Blink InCard or major credit card via the Blink mobile application, Blink Network website, or Blink customer support center. Blink’s InCard provides drivers with discounted charging fees for charging stations on the Blink Network, the software that operates, monitors, and tracks the Blink stations and all of its charging data. Drivers can easily request Blink’s InCard at www.BlinkNetwork.com and can pinpoint EV charging station locations using the map on the website, as well as the Blink and CarCharging mobile applications.

November 4, 2014