Technological Advances Help Better Regulate the Growing Cannabis Market

The recent election, in November, has further cemented the continuous expansion of cannabis legalization as New Jersey, a major potential market for the industry, voted in favor of legalization as well.

Nonetheless, the concern over cannabis abuse is still a major drawback. For instance, the National Institute on Drug Abuse highlighted that the long-term effects of constant cannabis use can alter brain development and cause memory impairment and affect learning functions. Consequently, this can affect a user's ability to perform daily functions. In fact, one of the major concerns over cannabis abuse revolves around operating a vehicle while impaired. The National Institute on Drug Abuse highlighted that marijuana was the most common illicit drug found within the bloodstream of drivers who were involved in vehicle accidents, including fatal ones. Cannabix Technologies Inc. (OTC: BLOZF) (CSE: BLO), Aphria Inc. (NASDAQ: APHA) (TSX: APHA), Harvest Health & Recreation Inc. (OTC: HRVSF), HEXO Corp. (NYSE: HEXO), Planet 13 Holdings Inc. (OTC: PLNHF)

Generally, law enforcement officers may conduct field tests such as sobriety tests or even sample tests. However, sobriety tests can be inaccurate, while sample tests may not receive results for days or even weeks. As a result, companies within the cannabis marketspace began to develop necessary technology for law enforcement agencies to use to crackdown on drivers operating a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana. In legal states, you'll see road signs that say Drive High, Get a DUI,' but there has not been a reliable and practical way to enforce that, says Alexander Star, PhD, Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh. There are debates in the legal community about what levels of THC would amount to a DUI, but creating such a device is an important first step toward making sure people don't partake and drive.

Cannabix Technologies Inc. (OTC: BLOZF) (CSE: BLO) just announced breaking news that, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted patent No. 14/689434 entitled, Cannabis Drug Detection Device to the Company. The Company and its patent attorneys have been pursuing this patent application since its filing in 2014. Cannabix Technologies is on the forefront in research and development to create point-of-care breath testing technologies for the detection of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the psychoactive component of marijuana that causes impairment.

The intellectual property protection this THC detection patent covers, gives Cannabix a broad foundation to build upon in view of the formidable insights and technical advancements made in the field of molecular gas analysis at atmospheric pressure that we have developed since this patent was initially filed in 2014. Considering the field of breath detection of drugs is in its infancy, this patent is a useful step in our IP protection strategy said Dr. Raj Attariwala.

In light of the granting of U.S. patent 14/689434, the Company undertaken a strategic review of its existing patent applications and will re-align its portfolio by canceling its second licence agreement with the University of Florida (UF) in relation to patent application 16/082,220. The Company will continue with its original licence agreement with UF in relation to patent 8,237,118.

As a requirement under the licence agreement between the Company and Cannabix Breathalyzer Inc. (a separate entity) entered into on June 5th, 2014, Company will issue 5 million common shares to Cannabix Breathalyzer Inc. as a final milestone payment, triggered by the grant of patent 14/689434 by the USPTO.

About Cannabix Technologies Inc. - Cannabix Technologies Inc. is a leader in marijuana breathalyzer development for law enforcement and the workplace. Cannabix has established breath testing technologies in the pursuit of bringing accurate, durable, portable tools to market to enable detection of marijuana-impaired driving offences on roads at a time when marijuana is becoming legal in many global jurisdictions. Cannabix is working to develop drug-testing devices that will detect THC- the psychoactive component of marijuana that causes intoxication- using breath samples. In particular, Cannabix is focused on developing breath testing devices for detection of recent use of THC, in contrast to urine testing for THC metabolite that requires an invasive collection and reflects usage, days or even weeks earlier. The devices will also be useful for other practical applications such as testing employees in the workplace where impairment by THC can be hazardous.