Medical Marijuana, Inc. (MJNA) Names Caroline Heinz and Raul Elizalde Co-CEOs of Subsidiary HempMeds®

“It’s been a humbling experience to see the drive and dedication that both of these professionals have showcased over the years,” said Medical Marijuana, Inc. CEO Dr. Stuart Titus. “We saw our Latin American sales explode during 2018 and 2019, especially in Brazil and Mexico. We are optimistic about how Raul and Caroline are adding their leadership to the global HempMeds brand.”

Caroline Heinz, formerly the Vice President of HempMeds® Brasil, joined the Company in 2014 when Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) approved the import of HempMeds’® Real Scientific Hemp Oil™ as the first-ever legally imported hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) product. With the help of numerous families using CBD, Heinz helped pass legislation to get the Brazilian government to subsidize CBD for several indications. She was also able to grow the Company’s sales in Brazil, successfully established two HempMeds® Brasil offices, created a network of Brazilian doctors and medical professionals, and has partnered with research organizations to study the Company’s CBD oil for safety and efficacy.

Raul Elizalde, formerly the President of HempMeds® Mexico and Latin American operations, joined the Company in June 2017. He was an active medical cannabis advocate prior to joining the Company because of his fight to gain access to CBD hemp oil for his daughter Grace. Elizalde’s fight led to the legalization of medical cannabis in Mexico and, since joining the company, he has significantly grown HempMeds’ presence and sales throughout Latin America, especially in Mexico. In Nov. 2017, Elizalde was invited to speak to the World Health Organization at the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

“Medical Marijuana, Inc. is my family and I am very proud to be asked to step into this new role with such a smart and talented professional like Caroline,” said Elizalde. “In my new role, I aim to utilize the successful strategies I used to grow HempMeds’ sales in Latin America and apply them to the U.S. market. We will continue to build a brand that consumers can trust.”

In their new roles, Heinz and Elizalde will continue to lead daily operations for HempMeds® in Latin America, but will also oversee all marketing, sales and operations for HempMeds® in the U.S. and globally. The Company currently ships its products across the U.S. in all states where it is legal and in 40 other countries around the world. As Elizalde waits to be granted his work visa in the U.S., Heinz will oversee CEO duties from the Company’s headquarters in San Diego.

“Growth happens when we stretch ourselves in new directions,” said Heinz. “Working with HempMeds for half a decade now has taught me so much about myself and about the tremendous need the world has for CBD. Raul and I already make such a great team and we believe that we will be able to take our U.S. operations to the next level.”

In addition to these exciting announcements, HempMeds® President Todd Morrow was promoted to become Chief Information Officer for Medical Marijuana, Inc. In his new role, Morrow will work with the Company’s executive team to lead strategic decision making, cross-collaboration and planning to raise revenue and drive greater profitability within the organization’s family of companies.

About HempMeds®

Founded in 2012, HempMeds® was the first company to bring hemp-based cannabidiol (CBD) oil products to market in the U.S. As a subsidiary of Medical Marijuana, Inc., HempMeds is the exclusive distributor for premium brands including Real Scientific Hemp Oil™ and Dixie Botanicals®, and operates in all 50 states and 40 countries. HempMeds® is the only company to have its CBD products listed in the Prescribers’ Digital Reference (PDR), the only company invited to speak to the World Health Organization and FDA on the benefits of CBD, and one of the first to be certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority. To learn more, please visit www.hempmedspx.com.