California Company Engineers Nanotechnology CBD Experience – Faster Onset and Higher Bioavailablity, Delivered Through Any Water-Based Product

Santa Barbara, California – (May 2019): Infused By EpicTM has become the technology for conversion for making cannabidiol (CBD oil) extract into a water soluble, nano-encapsulated liquid and powder form. The finished product delivers a highly potent, bioavailable form of CBD for the faster onset and more complete absorption of oral, sublingual, transdermal, ocular, and other CBD delivery systems.

Oil and water don’t mix.  The human body is about 70% water and our cells about 90% water. Products with traditional CBD oils are harder to digest, are much longer to take effect, and lose some of their potency along the way.  Infused by Epic™ helps to improve this functionality.

Products incorporating Infused By EpicTM  technology achieve a higher bio-availability of at least 5x times and faster onset than conventional oil-based products.  This allows for faster absorption into the bloodstream through any water-based mechanism, including creams, gels, food and beverages.  Infused By EpicTM  products are more harmonious with the human body and therefore deliver a much higher percentage of the CBD you take.  

What is Nanotechnology?  Nanometers are a unit of measurement of really small things.  Nanotechnology is the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometers.  A human hair is approximately 50,000 – 100,000 nanometers.  Shaquille O’Neil is over 2 billon nanometers tall.  Infused by Epic™ CBD liquid is less than 100 nm.

Why Nanotechnology?  Nanotechnology gives the ability to deliver products that have a faster onset (important for pain, sleep, anxiety) and increased bioavailability (at least 5x greater).  So consumers are getting all the benefits that they’re paying for.

Founded by CEO Diana Starr Langley, a seasoned medical entrepreneur and proven technological innovator, along with nanotechnology expert and COO Kalon Baird, Infused By EpicTM aims to bring the latest in nanotechnology to the booming CBD wellness market. Proving that necessity is, indeed, the mother of invention, the company originated with Baird’s own research developing a more potent and bioavailable CBD oil as part of a holistic healing approach to his mother’s battle with breast cancer. 

Thanks to his in-depth nanotechnology research and medicinal cannabis industry experience, Baird achieved his ambitious goal and watched first-hand as his mother’s journey ended with a “cancer-free” diagnosis. Now, paired with Langley’s entrepreneurial and medical know-how, they bring a singular passion and dedication to sharing Infused By EpicTM premium products with a growing CBD and cannabis market. 

Infused By EpicTM   liquid and powders are available now to product manufacturers as an additive to their current products. They  can also be included in various products made by the company available for white label use.  Infused By EpicTM products guarantee maximum potency and the highest-quality consumer wellness benefits. For more information, visit www.InfusedByEpic.com .

About Infused By Epic™: 

Infused By EpicTM  technology transforms traditional isolate and distillate cannabidiol (CBD) extracts into a nano-encapsulated water-soluble liquid or powder for easy addition to any water-based delivery system (including creams, gels, food and beverages). Founded by medical technological innovator CEO Diana Starr Langley and nanotechnology expert COO Kalon Baird, Infused By EpicTM guarantees EFFICIENCY of potent CBD delivery to the bloodstream across all routes (up to 5x efficacy in 10 minutes or less with oral, transdermal, sublingual, ocular, etc.); the PREDICTABILITY of a reliable, repeatable experience; and CONTROL over a finished product with homogeneous therapeutic benefits. 

Younger, stronger, sharper. Tracking the benefits of physical activity over the long term 

The Baby Boomers were in their 20s when aerobics became the favourite workout and when people started jogging to stay in shape. After the fitness trend took hold in the late 1970s, people became healthier over the years -- cholesterol and blood pressure levels fell, and deaths from heart disease dropped dramatically.  

Four decades later, those who started on the ground floor with regular physical activity are realizing its long-term benefits in obvious (and not-so-obvious) ways, says Dr. Paul Oh, medical director of the Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.

Although regular exercise has huge benefits at any stage of life and for any length of time, Dr. Oh lists these top 5 benefits of sticking with physical activity over the long-term.You’re less likely to get dementia: Physical activity plays a significant role to keep us mentally agile in our senior years. Research indicates that physical activity improves cognitive function, but a decline in fitness explains why some people are more prone to dementia than others. Another study found those who exercised at least twice a week during middle age were much less likely to develop dementia by the time they reached their 60s and 70s.

It helps fight frailty: After age 30 we tend to lose one-third of a pound of muscle per year, and our bones become weaker if they aren't subjected to weight-bearing exercise. Studies show regular strength training can triple overall muscle mass in older adults.

It helps you relax and puts you in a better mood: Exercise produces feel-good hormones that act as anti-depressants. Being physically active also simulates stress – we sweat, our heart races, our mind is on alert. This exposure helps equip the body to handle the ‘fight-or-flight’ reaction that happens when we’re anxious. 

Your heart gets stronger: Regular moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity strengthens your heartmuscle, improving its ability to pump blood to your lungs and throughout your body. Being active also boosts production of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or ‘good,’ cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This keeps blood flowing smoothly and decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

It keeps you young (ish): A recent study tracked a group of people in their 70s who had been running regularly for 40+ years and compared them to young adults. Although the active elderly group did have lower aerobic capacities than their younger counterparts, their capacities were about 40 percent higher than inactive adults their age. The active, older adults had the cardiovascular health of someone 30 years younger and far more than the muscles of more sedentary seniors.

Dr. Oh is available to talk more about the benefits of regular physical activity over the longer term and its potential to improve physical and mental health as we age. We can also put you in touch with fitness experts and physically active older adults in your area to talk more about how physical activity changes the aging experience.

Below are two long-term gym-goers (40 years) who joined GoodLife Fitness when it first opened and haven't missed more than a week or two since. Both are also available to share their stories.

Ken Eady made a pact with his two older brothers when he was in his early teens. After watching their 53-year old father suffer his third heart attack, they promised each other they wouldn’t allow heart disease to cut their lives short.


Ken began working out 2-3 times a week and joined the first GoodLife Fitness club in 1979. Ken is still going strong in his late 60s. Although he had to stop playing sports after numerous surgeries, he has found other physical outlets in kayaking and paddle-boarding.

Paul Coleman began working out in 1981. Livestock and cash crop farmer by trade, Paul was already strong, but he wanted cardio training to keep him fit for his other job as a referee with the Ontario Hockey League. That’s what led him to the gym, but he keeps coming back because of the friendships he has developed.

Nearly 40 years later, Paul jokingly describes himself as the ‘oldest, fattest fit guy at the gym.’ While he’s never been a goal-oriented person, fitness is now ingrained in his lifestyle and you can find Paul working out four to six times per week.

New Study Blames Opioid Crisis on Pill-Sharing Between Family and Friends 

Addiction treatment expert disagrees with these findings and identifies the real culprit behind this public health crisis  

A new study from researchers at Penn State University has found that opiate addiction most commonly begins when a trusted friend or family member shares a pill with their loved one. 

The researchers say the study is important because: “When you talk to the average person on the street, they think it’s all about big pharma and that doctors are overprescribing. … Our findings show that the two top common sources for getting opioids are friends or family.”

However, addiction treatment expert Koorosh Rassekh disagrees with this take.

“The reason that the people have these opiates to give to their friends and family is directly because of big pharma and doctors handing out these prescriptions too liberally,” says Rassekh, who is the founder of the mental health and addiction treatment facility Evo Health and Wellness in Venice, Calif. 

Rasskeh says that the opioid crisis in this country (in which Americans are now more likely to die of drug overdoses than they are to die of car crashes, gun violence, and AIDS) is a public health issue that did not originate at the hands of the average American. 

“The very reason why people feel comfortable sharing their medications with loved ones is that they view the drug as a quick, reliable fix that comes from a doctor. Ergo, it must be safe,” continues Rasskeh. “They are sharing these pills not out of malice but out of concern and a desire to help their friend or relative feel better. They do this because they haven’t been educated and properly warned by the medical community about the risk of these prescriptions. They do this because the pharmaceutical company convinced the medical community that these drugs were safe and non habit-forming, and now with all evidence to the contrary, we are still seeing the pharmaceutical company developing these wildly powerful drugs.”

Rassekh points to the fact that the FDA just approved a new medication called Dsuvia which is 10 times stronger than fentanyl. While the addiction treatment expert says that the medication is only approved for hospital settings, he points out that it won't be long before the powerful medication finds its way out the back door and into our streets and homes. In addition, it could also end up in pain management clinics and other hospital settings, where it could be wrongly prescribed and create thousands of new addictions. 

"Rather than making stronger and stronger opioids, we need to ask ourselves why so many people have built up a tolerance to the existing opioids that we have," says Rassekh. “Is our pain getting worse? Or is our drug dependence getting worse?”

The addiction treatment expert concludes, “I don’t see that this new study from Penn State passes the buck from the doctor to the patient whatsoever. We are not getting a ‘friends and family’ introduction to opiates, we are being given a fast pass to addiction straight from the medical community itself. It’s time we place the blame where it belongs and prioritize public health before profit.” 

For more on this topic or to speak to Koorosh Rassekh, please contact me. 

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ABOUT KOOROSH RASSEKH, MMFT AND EVO HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Having confronted addiction in his own life, Koorosh Rassekh, MMFT  founded Evo Health and Wellness with the vision to break the stigma around mental health and create a world of healthier people, families, and communities. Evo Health and Wellness is a mental health and wellness center in Venice, California that specializes in addiction treatment. Evo's intensive alternative treatment program is designed to offer the highest level of individualized care. Evo’s evidence-based model draws from the latest research and thinking on driving causes and solutions to mental health issues.

As a trained therapist, Koorosh integrates a humanistic approach and mindfulness into his therapy and coaching work. At the Matrix Institute on Addictions, Koorosh specialized in working with young adults dealing with drugs, alcohol, and addiction issues. As Director of Mindfulness at Alternatives Behavioral Health, he helped develop a program to support clients to successfully renegotiate their relationship to substances or problematic behaviors. Koorosh holds a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and Management from the University of Southern California (USC).

He has undergone extensive training in multiple therapeutic approaches, including: Assertive Community Reinforcement Approach (ACRA), Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA), Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Motivational Interviewing, and numerous meditation and mindfulness techniques.

 Riced, Not Rice! Seapoint Farms Introduces Riced — First-To-Market Line of Low-Carb & 100% Grain-Free Edamame-Based Rice Alternatives Packed With Deliciously Authentic Flavor & Essential Plant-Based Protein                      

Gluten-Free New Line Available in Two Varieties: Riced Edamame & Riced Medley (Edamame, Cauliflower & Sweet Potato)

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA., APRIL 23, 2019 – Fresh on the heels of launching a highly-successful new line of Organic Edamame Spaghetti and Organic Edamame Fettuccine alterative pasta products, Seapoint Farms today further reinforces its stature as a true health food pioneer with the introduction of the world’s first-ever edamame-based rice substitute: Riced.

The announcement was made today by Kevin Cross and Laura Cross, co-founders of Seapoint Farms (www.seapointfarms.com), the largest  importer and manufacturer of edamame products in the United States.

Easy to prepare, packed with essential plant-based protein, truly delectable   and every bit as versatile and absorbent as traditional high-carb rice, Seapoint Farms’ new frozen Riced products are offered in two mouth-watering varieties: Riced Edamame and Riced Medley, featuring edamame, cauliflower and sweet potato.                                           

Offered at a MSRP of only $3.39, Riced products will be available beginning in mid-February at leading supermarkets and health food stores nationwide. Riced will also be sold on Amazon.combeginning in March.

Healthy Eating In The Very Best of Taste!                                                                                                                                          

With more and more consumers gravitating toward grain-free, plant-based protein and low-carb diets that require foregoing white rice (and even its healthier brown rice counterpart), the demand for a viable alternative that faithfully replicates the taste, texture and convenience of rice has never been greater.

Specially prepared to not only capture the timeless attributes of rice but to showcase the natural flavor and protein-rich benefits of edamame in a whole new way, 100% veggie-based Riced products are low in sodium and calories; high in protein; verified Non-GMO; vegan; and free of gluten, grains, trans fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. In addition, both new Riced varieties are rich in vitamins, with Riced Edamame containing 70mg or calcium and 440 mg of potassium per 85g serving; and Riced Medley containing 20 mg of calcium, 200 mg of potassium and 530 mcg of Vitamin A per 85g serving.

Ideal for home cooks yearning to prepare healthier alternatives to high-carb rice dishes, both Riced products can be enjoyed on their own or with a wide variety of main dishes, veggies and sauces.  

Commenting on the launch of the new Riced line, Seapoint Farms’ President Laura Cross said, “After exhaustive development both internally as well as with outside chefs and nutritionists, we believe Riced is a perfect alternative for any rice lover who’s looking to cut back on carbs and benefit from a more plant-based diet without sacrificing the flavor, versatility, affordability and convenience that’s made rice such a universal favorite for generations.”

Has Consumption of Rice Reached A Boiling Point?                                                                                                                  

Though a staple for centuries in Asia, many Western consumers have found white rice to be a poor choice when trying to maintain a healthy diet. Often over-processed to the point of losing virtually all of its nutritional value and mineral richness, white rice is packed with simple (or bad) carbs. What’s more, white rice can quickly spike up blood sugar levels and in turn cause sugar crashes and even overeating. 

Since white rice starch is also viscous (having a thick and sticky constituency), it’s harder to digest and can cause digestive discomforts, fatigue, and indigestion. In addition, white rice is also low in dietary fiber – an essential nutrient that aids in digestion and prevents heart disease. 

Nature’s Recipe For Healthier Eating                                                                                                                                  

Increasingly popular for its flavor, versatility and nutrition profile, edamame (ed-ah-MAH-may) are small green soybeans that come in pods like peas. Packed with all of the essential amino acids, edamame is an excellent   source of protein – especially for those who follow a plant-based diet. Better still, studies suggest that increasing consumption of plant-based foods such as edamame can help decrease the risk of obesity, heart disease  and diabetes.

Using only non-GMO soybeans,Seapoint Farms ensures that all of its products retain their naturally-occurring levels of healthful Isoflavones and include the same soy protein proven to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol.

About Seapoint Farms                                                                                                                                                                   

Since debuting in 1996 as the first American company to introduce edamame into American supermarkets and health food stores, Southern California-based Seapoint Farms has been instrumental in educating an increasingly health-conscious public about the many benefits of edamame and the numerous ways it can be enjoyed as a main course, side dish, snack or dessert.

Today, Seapoint Farms is the largest importer and manufacturer of edamame products in America, offering a diverse array of premium-quality, great-tasting and convenient edamame vegetable products and snacks. For more information, please visit www.seapointfarms.com.                           

Canopy Growth acquires established skincare and well-being company This Works®

London-based firm will be an integral part of Canopy Growth's entry into the natural wellness industry and further strengthens the Company's international presence

SMITHS FALLS, ON and LONDON, May 22, 2019 /CNW/ - Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) (the "Company" or "Canopy Growth") has finalized an all-cash transaction to acquire This Works for a purchase price of £43 million (CDN $73.8 million). Founded in 2004, This Works has cemented itself as a global leader in natural skincare and sleep solutions with a devout customer base spanning 35 countries.

Headquartered in London, England, This Works offers a range of high-quality natural skincare and sleep solution products that have rewarded the company with a loyal following of customers purchasing their best-known products including deep sleep pillow spray, morning expert hyaluronic serum, and skin deep dry leg oil. 

Through their unique approach of formulating solutions that work in harmony with the 24hr body clock, This Works has evolved its product lines beyond a traditional viewpoint to a more complete regimen that maximizes skin – and overall wellness – at every phase of the day, starting with a good night's sleep. This acquisition is a key aspect of a multi-faceted hemp and CBD strategy as Canopy Growth continues to build upon its vertically-integrated production and marketing platform, that currently includes thousands of acres of hemp production across several continents, hundreds of millions of dollars of capital investment into hemp-derived CBD production and processing, rapid expansion across the European Union and other key regions, and the introduction of new CBD-infused products and brands to the global beauty, wellness, and sleep solution space.

This Works CEO, Dr. Anna Persaud, will remain at the helm of business operations post-acquisition to continue moving the company forward. Since joining the company in 2009, Dr. Persaud has worked arduously to develop targeted skin solutions, which combine the brand's knowledge of the body clock with modern lifestyle learnings, all backed by science. This approach to product development is best evidenced by This Works' award-winning natural sleep solutions, with 4.2 million pillow sprays sold across Europe, the United Kingdom, China and the United States since the brand's first deep sleep pillow spray launched in 2011. Together, Canopy Growth and This Works will continue to support all of This Works' current operations with an accelerated focus on global expansion and product development to include a new line of skincare and sleep solution products infused with CBD. 

"Since 2004, This Works has been committed to creating highly effective, natural skin solutions which are rooted in science and proven to work. We are excited about this new chapter in our company's history and the opportunity to join Canopy Growth, the world's leading diversified cannabis and hemp company," shared Dr. Anna Persaud. "As a leading wellness brand and a pioneer in sleep beauty products, we are passionate about the opportunity CBD offers beauty consumers. Canopy Growth will provide the expertise, research, scientific rigour and quality assurance that will allow This Works to drive the agenda in wellness beauty's ever-evolving market."

"We were struck by how loyal and satisfied the This Works customer base is, which is a testament to the integrity rooted in the company and how confidently they can stand behind their name," said Bruce Linton, Chairman & Co-CEO, Canopy Growth. "We believe CBD has the potential to disrupt the cosmetic and sleep solution industries and have been working for years to build and establish the right entry point into this opportunity. As soon as we met with Dr. Persaud and her team, we knew they were the right partner to embark with on this journey."

In addition to strengthening Canopy Growth's product offering, bringing This Works "under the canopy" will enhance the Company's international footprint and operations within the United Kingdom. In January 2019, the Company announced Spectrum Biomedical UK, a joint venture between Canopy Growth Corporation and Oxford-based research company Beckley Canopy Therapeutics to address the need for high-quality cannabis-based medicinal products in the UK.

Here's to Future (Cosmetics, Sleep, and overall Wellness) Growth.

About Canopy Growth Corporation
Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED, NYSE:CGC) is a world-leading diversified cannabis, hemp and cannabis device company, offering distinct brands and curated cannabis varieties in dried, oil and Softgel capsule forms, as well as medical devices through the Company's subsidiary, Storz & Bickel GMbH & Co. KG. From product and process innovation to market execution, Canopy Growth is driven by a passion for leadership and a commitment to building a world-class cannabis company one product, site and country at a time. The Company has operations in over a dozen countries across five continents.

The Company's medical division, Spectrum Therapeutics is proudly dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners, conducting robust clinical research, and furthering the public's understanding of cannabis, and has devoted millions of dollars toward cutting edge, commercializable research and IP development. Spectrum Therapeutics sells a range of full-spectrum products using its colour-coded classification Spectrum system as well as single cannabinoid Dronabinol under the brand Bionorica Ethics. 

The Company operates retail stores across Canada under its award-winning Tweed and Tokyo Smoke banners. Tweed is a globally recognized cannabis brand which has built a large and loyal following by focusing on quality products and meaningful customer relationships. 

From our historic public listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange to our continued international expansion, pride in advancing shareholder value through leadership is engrained in all we do at Canopy Growth. Canopy Growth has established partnerships with leading sector names including cannabis icons Snoop Dogg and Seth Rogen, breeding legends DNA Genetics and Green House Seeds, and Fortune 500 alcohol leader Constellation Brands, to name but a few. Canopy Growth operates ten licensed cannabis production sites with over 4.4 million square feet of production capacity, including over one million square feet of GMP certified production space. For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com

Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Canopy Growth or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. Examples of such statements include statements such as "This acquisition is a key aspect of a multi-faceted hemp and CBD strategy as Canopy Growth continues to build upon its vertically-integrated production and marketing platform, that currently includes thousands of acres of hemp production across several continents, hundreds of millions of dollars of capital investment into hemp-derived CBD production and processing, rapid expansion across the European Union and other key regions, and the introduction of new CBD-infused products and brands to the global beauty, wellness, and sleep solution space". Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including the Company's ability to satisfy provincial sales contracts or provinces purchasing all cannabis allocated to them, and such risks contained in the Company's annual information form dated June 27, 2018 and filed with Canadian securities regulators available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information or forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Canopy Growth Corporation

MEDEC Rebrands to Medtech Canada

TORONTO, May 22, 2019 /CNW/ - MEDEC, the association representing Canada's medical technology companies, is very pleased to announce that it has rebranded to become Medtech Canada. 

This new brand identity reflects the ever-evolving nature of the medical technology industry, which is contributing to enabling the digitization of health care, providing more connected care and providing opportunities for more patient-centred care in community settings. 

"As health care systems in Canada are increasingly focused on achieving more digital and patient-centred approaches to care, the medtech industry is there to provide safe and effective technologies and solutions that can make significant contributions to achieving these goals and enabling patients to live the lives they want to live," says Brian Lewis, President and CEO of Medtech Canada. "The work of our association has adapted in lockstep with these changes, working collaboratively with our health system partners towards improving patient care and our new brand identity reflects this."

Medical technologies are a vital part of every facet of health care including ever-advancing cardiovascular devices, orthopaedic implants and diagnostic imaging equipment, which are just a few examples of this broad and patient-focused industry. 

Medtech Canada is a member-driven association, with committees focused on subsector-specific issues, as well as broader, industry-wide topics in areas such as promoting strategic procurement and funding reforms, regulatory affairs and championing the Canadian medical technology eco-system. The association also brings together a variety of stakeholders through such avenues as its annual MedTech Conference and its Hospital to Community Collaborative. 

"The medical technology industry has a very important role to play in enabling value-based health care and we are working closely with our partners to advance this shift, which will enhance patient outcomes and contribute to the sustainability of our publicly-funded health care system," says Mr. Lewis.

About Medtech Canada

Medtech Canada is the national association representing the medical technology industry in Canada. Our association advocates for achieving patient access to leading edge, innovative technology solutions that provide valuable outcomes. Our members are committed to providing safe and innovative medical technologies that enhance the quality of patient care, improve patient access to health care, and help enable the sustainability of our health care system. The medical technology industry in Canada employs over 35,000 Canadians in approximately 1,500 facilities across the country. www.medtechcanada.org

SOURCE Medtech Canada

Canadian Institute of Actuaries recommends increase in target retirement age

An in-depth look at this and other subjects in the current issue of the Morneau Shepell News & Views

TORONTO, May 22, 2019 /CNW/ - Morneau Shepell has released the May 2019 issue of its monthly newsletter, News & Views, in which the company looks at the following topics: 

• Canadian actuaries issue public statement recommending increase in retirement age – On April 18, 2019, the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) issued a public statement recommending that the federal government, with the consent of provincial governments, increase the target retirement age from 65 to 67 under the Canada and Quebec Pension Plans and Old Age Security. The public statement is intended to engage all Canadians in a discussion of changing societal needs and the best retirement program designs to support those needs. It encourages Canadians to consider starting their pension income later and to recognize that these programs are an excellent method for ensuring income security in later retirement. 
• Pension and benefit matters included in 2019 Ontario budget – The 2019 Ontario budget, introduced on April 11, 2019, included a number of items relating to pensions, benefits, executive compensation in the public sector and the funding of mental health initiatives. Specifically, the budget addressed target benefit pension plans, treatment of excess pension plan contributions, electronic communications for pension plans, retirement age in universities, and mental health funding, among other measures. 
• Ontario proposes regulations addressing variable benefits and discharge upon annuity purchase – The Ontario Ministry of Finance proposed two regulations affecting pension plans on April 11, 2019. The first draft regulation sets out rules for the payment of variable benefits to Ontario retired members from the defined contribution provision of a pension plan. The second amends the rules for obtaining a discharge upon purchase of an annuity to satisfy a defined benefit pension plan's obligation to pay a pension to an Ontario retiree or surviving spouse. 
• Risks of predatory marriages highlighted in recent case – A recent case in which an Ontario court voided a couple's marriage based on a claim of incapacity highlights the risk that predatory marriages can pose and the complexities they can raise for pension and benefit plan administrators. In Hunt v. Worrod, a court declared a marriage void, finding that the applicant did not have the mental capacity to consent to a marriage after having suffered a traumatic brain injury following an ATV accident. 
• Tracking the funded status of pension plans as at April 30, 2019 – Morneau Shepell describes the funded status of pension plans over the first four months of 2019 based on three typical investment portfolios. A graph shows the changes in the financial position of a typical defined benefit plan since the end of 2018. A table shows the impact of past returns on plan assets and the effect of interest rate changes on solvency liabilities of a medium duration pension plan. 
• The impact of pension expense under international accounting as at April 30, 2019 – Morneau Shepell has shown the evolution of the pension expense for a typical defined benefit pension plan. Since the beginning of the year, the pension expense has increased by 14 per cent (for a contributory plan) due to the decrease in the discount rates, despite the good returns on assets (relative to the discount rate).

About Morneau Shepell
Morneau Shepell is the leading provider of technology-enabled HR services that deliver an integrated approach to well-being through our cloud-based platform. Our focus is providing everything our clients need to support the mental, physical, social and financial well-being of their people. By improving lives, we improve business. Our approach spans services in employee and family assistance, health and wellness, recognition, pension and benefits administration, retirement and benefits consulting, actuarial and investment services. Morneau Shepell employs almost 5,000 employees who work with some 24,000 client organizations that use our services in 162 countries. Morneau Shepell is a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MSI). For more information, visit morneaushepell.com.

CBD: 10 Must-know Science-based Facts

By Eddie Fatakhov, M.D.

Cannabidiol is quickly becoming a household name better known as CBD. This marijuana plant-derived, non-psychoactive, natural remedy is being adapted to treat a wide variety of ailments from anxiety and pain to various seizure disorders. So what is this “miracle drug” and why should you care?

Here are 10 science-based CBD facts that everyone needs to know.

1.) CBD has been the subject of intense scientific study

There are over 85 cannabinoids in what we call cannabis, of which CBD and THC are the most recognized. Because of this, these two cannabinoids have benefitted from the greatest amount of scientific study. 

2.) CBD can’t get you “high”

CBD, unlike its psychoactive sibling THC, doesn’t possess the properties that get you “high.” Unlike THC, which binds to your CB1 and CB2 nerve receptors to create different heady and bodily sensations, CBD is binding free. That is why CBD is usable by anyone, even those who are in professions that require serious mental clarity. 

3.) CBD is therapeutic 

Pharmaceuticals help to treat medical and health conditions all over the world, but often the side effects can diminish or even outweigh the benefits. This is where CBD can excel. CBD is considered non-toxic and almost completely side effect free so, for some it can take the place of other medications.

4.) CBD is Legal

CBD is a naturally product that can be derived from industrial hemp plants. Though the legal use of cannabis is different depending on location, CBD is free from these regulations due to the minuscule THC content that industrial hemp plants contain (less that .3%).

5.) CBD stimulates important CB1 and CB2 receptors

When taken CBD affects two main cannabinoid receptors in the body. There is CB1, which is primary located in the brain and central nervous system (nerves of the brain and spinal chord) and CB2, which is located in our immune system cells, gastrointestinal tract, and peripheral nervous system (nerves extending to the rest of the body from the brain and spinal chord). 

This is important because the effects of activating these receptors can be quite noticeable. For instance, some studies have found that activation of CB2 receptors can rid the brain of beta-amyloid protein – a plaque found in people with Alzheimer’s disease while activation of CB1 receptors can positively impact depression, reduce fear and paranoia, and lower intestinal inflammation and blood pressure. CB1 receptor activation can even give relief to one of the most prevalent mental disorders in the United States – anxiety. 

6.) CBD works well for anxiety

Anxiety is most commonly treated through the administration of medication, psychotherapy, or both. A 2018 survey in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research states that over 60% of cannabidiol users reported they were taking CBD to treat a medical condition. The most prevalent conditions these users reported were pain, anxiety, and depression. 

7.) We naturally produce cannabinoids

We naturally produce cannabinoids in our endocannabinoid system – one affecting multiple bodily processes such as mood, appetite, pain, and varying cognitive functions. One of the most beneficial endocannabinoids is anandamide (the bliss molecule). 

Anandamide is important because it activates our CB1 receptors. These receptors help to:

• Relieving depression
• Known to stop the proliferation of breast cancer cells
• Lower intestinal inflammation
• Decrease occurrence of Leaky Gut Syndrome
• Lower blood pressure 
• Decrease anxiety, fear, and paranoia 
• Benefits for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

While anandamine works to activate our CB1 receptors our bodies release an enzyme called FAAH that break down anandamide. The reason CBD is beneficial is because it inhibits FAAH’s ability to do its job. 

NOTE: CBD also activates PPAR-gamma receptors (PPAR-gamma receptors play a role in lipid uptake, insulin sensitivity, dopamine release and the degradation of beta-amyloid plaque which can positively affect diseases such as diabetes, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s). 

8.) CBD can positively affect Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD)

People with CECD produce a lower amount of natural cannabinoids. The negative effectsof this decreased production could be:   

• Fibromyalgia
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Migraines
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Huntington’s Disease
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Autism

As stated before, the pharmaceuticals prescribed for these conditions can cause side effects worse than the symptoms. This is another area where CBD can naturally, and side effect free, increase cannabinoids in the body to promote greater health. 

9.) CBD is safe

According to the World Health Organization CBD is generally tolerated by most humans.  It has a good safety profile and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has even approved an oral CBD product, Epidiolex, as a treatment for Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes – two severe childhood-onset seizure disorders. 

10.) CBD can naturally help those suffering from seizures and epilepsy

Given the safety profile of Epidiolex the DEA has reclassified the drug from Schedule I (no medical use such as heroin) to a Schedule V (low potential for abuse such as cough medicine) drug. This is great news since studies have shown that CBD positively affectspeople plagued by multiple daily seizures.

This is just more evidence that CBD might be the natural pharmaceutical substitute we have been looking for. 

About the author…

MORE THAN 50,000 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND WOOFSTOCK, NORTH AMERICA’S LARGEST FESTIVAL FOR DOGS 

TORONTO – Woofstock, North America’s largest festival for dogs, wags its way into its 16^thseason on the heels of two milestones – donating more than $50,000 to canine rescue charities since 2017, and being named Best Public Event/Fair or Festival in Canada at the 2019 Canadian Special Events Industry Awards. Woofstock will celebrate these achievements at its annual festival on Saturday, May 25^thand Sunday, May 26^that Toronto’s Woodbine Park.  

“We are excited to mark our Sweet Sixteen and to continue bringing together dogs and dog lovers in the spirit of animal awareness,” says Woofstock owner Michael DiSchiavo. “On top of our attractions, entertainment, products and food for dogs and their human owners, we are proud to continue fundraising for local rescue groups and helping rescue dogs find their ‘forever homes.’” 

Woofstock debuted at Toronto’s Distillery District in 2003. From day one, Woofstock charmed Torontonians with its focus and celebratory atmosphere. As the festival grew, its venue grew as well. Woofstock has hosted more than one million attendees. 

This year, Woofstock will showcase more than 150 “paw-some” exhibitors to meet public demand for new and unique canine products. Crowd-favourite events will be returning, like the Mr. and Ms. Canine Canada Pageant, Canada Pooch Fashion Show, an upgraded Children’s Village, Wiener Dog Races, Running of the Pugs, Frenchie Flash, Chihuahua Chase and last year’s sensational debut event, the Puppy Prowl.  

New and exciting additions this year include the Rescue Run, a fun-run for under-35-lb. rescue dogs taking place in the Crumps’ Arena. There’ll be an intimate meet-and-greet with “InstaFamous Dogs” – celebrity dogs of Instagram fame with hundreds of thousand of online fans. Musically, Woofstock will be getting down with a unique morning jazz/Celtic/classic concert for dogs, starring the event’s blue-chip house-band Three Dog Day. “The canine-tailored concert is another way to bond and celebrate our longest, lasting friendship,” says Entertainment Producer, Bianca Kapteyn.  

At Woofstock 2019, sponsors like Dyson will give away prizes throughout the weekend. Open Farm’s Food Truck for Dogs, Canada Pooch and Pawsie will be great attractions at the event. There will also be a new dog food launch/product-sampling by NOOD.  Kijiji will be back with their fan favourite grooming activation and we’re also grateful to the natural food seller Crumps’ Naturals, who are for their second year installing the “Crumps’ Arena,” where many Woofstock highlights will take place. 

Other notable temptations are The Ultimutts, The Furtastic K9’s, and SuperDogs. Tito’s Vodka, Pelee Island Winery and Black Lab Brewing will be livening up the Licensed Lounge, where you will also be able to bring your dog in for a cold “Pooches Hooch”. 

For the third straight year, proceeds from Woofstock will be donated to canine rescue groups in the GTA. 

Dogs and dog lovers agree – it’s going to be a very Sweet Sixteen for Woofstock! 

EVENT DETAILS:

WHAT:WOOFSTOCK 2019 

WHERE:  Woodbine Park (1695 Queen St E Toronto, ON M4L 1G7) 

DATES & TIMES: Saturday, May 25^th, 10am to 6pm and Sunday, May 26^th, 10am to 5pm 

TICKET PRICE: $12 online (weekend pass); $15 at the event gates (weekend pass); Dogs and Children under 10 are FREE.     

Proceeds from this year’s Woofstock ticket sales will be donated to all dog rescue organizations that have partnered with Woofstock in 2019 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:Please call 416-234-WOOF or visitwww.woofstock.ca  

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For media inquiries, interview requests, and additional information, please contact:Melissa Grosser, Uplevel PR, 416-294-5499, melissa@uplevelpr.com