Initial, Foundational Offering Now Available Through MM411 with Expanded Courses Planned for September

Class Tailored to Medical Professionals, Patients, Caregivers, Advocates, and Industry Workers

[May 2, 2024] – Medical Marijuana 411 (MM411), the leading global provider of digital cannabis education, today announced a groundbreaking collaboration with CReDO Science, led by Dr. Ethan Russo, a board-certified neurologist and the world’s preeminent medical cannabis clinician and researcher, to deliver accurate, evidence-based cannabis and endocannabinoid system education. An initial foundational class developed by Dr. Russo, MM411 President Christine DeVol, and Nishi Whiteley, MS, Chief Operating Officer of CReDO Science, is now available in English, Spanish, and Japanese through MM411 and features 8 webinar modules totaling 11 hours, with an expanded, follow-up class planned for September.

“We are thrilled to join forces with CReDO Science to offer this unparalleled digital cannabis education platform,” said President DeVol. “By combining our expertise in digital education with Dr. Russo’s extensive research and clinical expertise, we are poised to greatly improve the quality of cannabis education available to all as we create a legacy of his decades of groundbreaking work.”

“Cannabis has immense therapeutic potential, but misinformation and stigma often cloud its true benefits and medical use,” said Dr. Russo. “Through this collaboration with MM411 we hope to empower healthcare professionals, patients, and advocates around the globe with accurate, science-backed knowledge to fully understand the risks and benefits of cannabis use. Together, we can transform the cannabis landscape.”

Through the collaboration, Dr. Russo is distilling decades of peer-reviewed scientific studies along with his 28 years of clinical cannabis experience to ensure students receive the most accurate and up-to-date information on cannabis and its potential medical applications in a format that is comprehensible to a wide-reaching audience of medical professionals, patients, caregivers, advocates, and industry workers. As part of the experience, Dr. Russo incorporates detailed citations throughout course materials, allowing students to understand from where his lessons are based and granting them further access to the tools they will need to dive deeper.

The initial course offering aims to demystify the mechanisms by which cannabis components interact with the human body. It will make understandable the science behind cannabis and the human endocannabinoid system. This will empower healthcare professionals to integrate cannabis in their practices, patients looking to understand the science behind their treatment, and industry professionals to better serve their customers. By helping learners to make informed decisions about its use, the program will contribute to the safety and efficacy of cannabis consumption worldwide.

For more information about the collaboration between MM411 and CReDO Science and to enroll in the digital cannabis education courses, visit here. Join us on this transformative journey toward a better-informed cannabis community.

Cannabis use is growing worldwide evidenced by The United Nations World Drug Report of 2023 which estimates 219 million people worldwide use cannabis. The US government report 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimates 59 million people 18 and older used cannabis in the year prior. But cannabis education has fallen behind. According to the journal article, Physicians-in-training are not prepared to prescribe medical marijuana by Evanoff et al, 89.5% of residents and fellows graduating from American medical schools felt they were not at all prepared to prescribe medical marijuana, 35.3% felt not at all prepared to answer questions, and 84.9% reported receiving no education in medical school or residency on medical marijuana. The report further outlined only 9% of medical school curriculums included content on medical cannabis.

About MM411:

MM411 https://medicalmarijuana411.com Founded in 2009, MM411 is the global leader in medical cannabis education. Thousands of medical professionals from 20 different countries have taken MM411 research-based cannabis courses. With cannabis education programs approved by more U.S. states than any other organization, MM411 offers medical cannabis certifications and aligns with government entities to develop certification programs for medical and industry professionals, U.S. state-required certifications for healthcare professionals, and cannabis consultants (budtenders). Certifications are focused on areas such as federal and state marijuana laws, science, endocannabinoid system, approved conditions, safe handling, dispensary customer service, how to use various product methods, and dosing.

About CReDO Science: CReDO Science https://credo-science.com is a private company that offers licensing of its innovations, provides clinical cannabis research consulting and formulation and product development consulting for wellness, medical, adult-use and pharmaceutical products.

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Media Contact:
Freeman Klopott
Fklopott@marinopr.com

Austin, TX – CReDO Science and EndoCanna Health are delighted to partner to provide a screening test for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). CReDO Science CEO and the inventor of the screening technology, Ethan Russo, M.D. says, “CHS previously has been an enigmatic disorder that has been a tremendous burden of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting for its patients. Simultaneously, it has been a diagnostic dilemma for hospital emergency departments that attempt to decipher its diagnosis with various expensive and sometimes invasive tests that usually provide little insight to the problem.”

Dr. Russo has been seeking to understand the origins of CHS for years. In 2019, his company approached Len May, the CEO of EndoCanna Health, where Dr. Russo serves as a Scientific Advisory Board member, to find that they, too, cared about solving the mystery of CHS. Dr. Russo designed and oversaw a research study executed and analyzed by EndoCanna Health which led to the discovery of five genes that appear to occur in CHS patients at significantly higher rates than the general population.  Where an individual has two or more of the five genes, it is an indication they are at much greater risk for CHS, which is triggered by chronic consumption of high THC cannabis and cannabis products.

Mr. May explains, “With the advent of this new technology, an inexpensive, simple mouth swab may provide insight to patients, their families, and physicians as to the source of the problem, and its impact.” Dr. Russo explains further the importance of this screening tool, “Our research has provided the understanding of CHS as a genetic susceptibility, and one that has implications for risks for other disorders including alcoholism, addiction to other substances, and risks for future development of heart disease and dementia, among others.”

We believe this technology will have important public health implications and offer significant savings in cost expenditures for unnecessary diagnostic tests, which patients surveyed have reported reaching $90,000-100,000. Highlighting the party’s collective intent to serve patients, Mr. May points out, “Through our HIPPA compliant process, we are able to provide the privacy patients desire with important data physicians need to aid in diagnosis and to educate patients about recovery.”

It is estimated approximately 50,000 people a year develop CHS.  That figure is expected to increase significantly as cannabis legalization occurs across more jurisdictions globally.  Some estimates for CHS prevalence have been as high as 2 million patients in the U.S., but no one knows.

Tests can be ordered by patients and physicians through the sales portal  https://shop.endodna.com/products/chs-dna-susceptibility-test. Additional information about CHS is available at www.what-is-chs.com.

CReDO Science LLC is a biopharma holding company that exists to solve problems of the human/animal ECS including developing optimized formulations from the Cannabis plant for better living. Learn more at www.credo-science.com.

Endocanna Health is the industry leader in endocannabinoid system genomic testing and the manufacturer of genetically aligned formulations that create optimal cannabis experiences. Learn more at www.endodna.com.

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Austin, Texas – The discovery of the genetic origins of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a major step forward in diagnosing and treating this previously enigmatic and poorly recognized, yet increasingly common condition triggered by high-THC consumption. Symptoms of CHS include intractable nausea, cyclic vomiting, abdominal pain, and hot bathing behavior in episodes that can last for several weeks and represent a grievous health and financial burden to its victims.  This study represents the largest patient cohort of CHS patients examined to date, and first to note associated mutations in genes affecting neurotransmitters, the endocannabinoid system (ECS), and the cytochrome P450 complex associated with cannabinoid metabolism.

“These important preliminary findings, contribute to the growing body of knowledge, stimulate additional investigation, help elucidate the pathophysiology of CHS and, ultimately, direct future treatment,” says chief investigator Ethan Russo, MD.

The scientific team was led by Dr. Russo, a world-renowned medical cannabis expert, and Len May, a leader in the field of endocannabinoid system (ECS) genomics. Dr. Russo is a board-certified neurologist, a psychopharmacology researcher, the CEO of CReDO Science, and a prolific author. Mr. May is the co-founder and CEO of Endocanna Health, a sought-after speaker and an author.

“CReDO Science is proud to have partnered with Endocanna Health in publishing this genetic marker discovery that highlights the risks and susceptibility its patients face,” said Dr. Russo. CHS is a relatively new phenomenon, and thus research is lacking in this area. Mr. May shares, “We are honored our discovery advances the science and understanding of this traumatic condition and that it is the first step in developing treatment and providing relief to patients.”

Through Endocanna Health, a CHS genomic test will be available to gastroenterologists and hospital emergency departments by the end of summer 2021. Mr. May explains, “Through genomic testing we can provide peace of mind to those consumers struggling with CHS.” Dr. Russo adds, “Screening patients for this condition will help obviate the need for repetitive hospitalizations, expensive and invasive diagnostics.”

The scientific team, which also includes naturopathic physician and cannabis scientist Chris Spooner, Ryan Leslie and Nishi Whiteley, is “focused on using this data to do a larger clinical study that will create an industry standard for CHS diagnostics,” said Mr. May.

Read the full article at Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Survey and Genomic Investigation (liebertpub.com). 

CReDO Science LLC is a biopharma holding company that exists to solve problems of the human/animal ECS including developing optimized formulations from the Cannabis plant for better living. Learn more at www.credo-science.com.

Endocanna Health is the industry leader in endocannabinoid system genomic testing and, and the manufacturer of genetically aligned formulations that create optimal cannabis experiences. Learn more at www.endodna.com.

Austin, Texas – CReDO Science (https://credo-science.com) is proud to announce the launch of a formulation service for therapeutic cannabis-based products. This would include the crafting of unique and customized supplements for over-the-counter sales, and provision of formulations for pharmaceutical development and regulatory approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada (HC), and European Medicines Agency (EMA).

CReDO Science, CEO, cannabis research and drug development pioneer Dr. Ethan Russo says, “Our aim is to provide blueprints for synergistic preparations of cannabis extracts and components that leverage the entourage effect of the many therapeutic compounds in cannabis. Only then can the full potential of cannabis be realized to provide medicines that are safe, effective and consistent.” 

Dr. Russo is a board-certified neurologist and the author/co-author of over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and seven books on medical cannabis and the endocannabinoid system. A veteran of GW Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Ethan Russo served as the Medical Monitor and Study Physician for the clinical trials of Sativex® and Epidiolex®, the first cannabis-based pharmaceuticals to market.

A pioneer in the area of medical cannabis research and drug development, Dr. Russo understands deeply the intricacies of formulating botanical medicines and the regulatory approval pathways and requirements. As one of the few people in the world who has helped secure FDA approval for a cannabis plant-based pharmaceutical, he has participated in over 20 clinical trials for cannabis-based pharmaceuticals designed for treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, cancer pain, autism, and epilepsy.

“Due to a variety of factors including prohibition and political barriers to research, the available literature on therapeutic applications of cannabis has frequently resulted in mixed or negative results that can be attributed to utilization of unstandardized material without consideration to its biochemical composition. It rarely has been the case that randomized controlled trials, the gold standard of medical proof of safety and efficacy, have been undertaken with truly optimized cannabis formulations,” laments Dr. Russo. CReDO Science wants to change that.

Companies will find that Dr. Russo’s expertise will provide considerable cost savings by significantly reducing product development timelines and increasing product value by creating more competitive products. Such a formulation service is necessary to achieve CReDO Science’s mission of “Making Cannabis Safer and Better.”

Click here to download the pdf version of the press release.

Contact: Nishi Whiteley, nw at credo-science dot com

The title of Dr. Russo’s presentation is “Cannabis and Psychiatry: The Final Frontier”, and it will explore basic science and clinical trial data to assess the role of cannabis psychopharmacology with respect to issues of impairment, depression, insomnia, PTSD, schizophrenia, anxiety and addiction.

Learn more about the live podcast here: https://cannmedevents.com/2020/04/15/keynote-ethan-russo/

Learn more about CannMed 2020 here: https://cannmedevents.com/2020/02/20/cannmed-2020-registration-now-open/

Dr. Russo has almost 25 years’ experience in the ECS and cannabis research space including his high-profile work as Senior Medical Advisor at GW Pharmaceuticals and the Medical Monitor and Study Coordinator for the Sativex® and Epidiolex® trials, the only two cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals. A thought leader in the space, he is forever being asked, “What should we be working on?” CReDO Science will focus on exactly this. Initial CReDO Science efforts will concentrate in six areas for which provisional patents are in progress: a novel extraction technique for cannabis, an overthe-counter product for a common condition for which current treatments are toxic or poorly effective, a non-cannabinoid nutritional product from cannabis with expected broad anti-inflammatory effects, an inexpensive diagnostic test for two conditions that currently lack specific tools (so-called “diagnoses of exclusion”) and a novel Corona virus-killing disinfectant.

“We are very excited to be in a position to investigate and market new products, technologies and diagnostics leveraging the endocannabinoid system that portend to contribute towards meaningful advances in medicine, health and fitness, as well as industrial applications”, says founder and CEO Dr. Russo. “CReDO Science develops products and diagnostics that should be available internationally without the jurisdictional restrictions related to controlled substances, such as THC.”

The cannabis business worldwide is experiencing explosive growth as laws change and cannabis use becomes normalized. According to Arcview’s, State of Legal Cannabis Markets Report 7th Edition, the US total cannabinoid market alone is projected to be over $44.8B by 2024. CReDO Science co-founder Nishi Whiteley says, “These figures are staggering, especially when you consider that biopharma, nutraceutical and supplement companies have barely gotten into the game. These three areas are the new frontier in the cannabis space. With revered medical cannabis expert Dr. Ethan Russo at the helm, we aspire to solve the most important issues of the human endocannabinoid system with safe, non-toxic cannabis-based solutions.”

Beyond the proprietary internal R&D program, CReDO Science will be leveraging its principals’ knowledge and experience through consultation to and collaboration with meritorious partners and programs. These include Breeder’s Best (https://breedersbest.com/), a company seeking to develop improved cannabis genetics through conventional breeding, organic and regenerative culture, and best practices, (both Russo and Whiteley maintain leadership roles at Breeder’s Best due to the symbiotic nature of the two businesses), True Terpenes (https://trueterpenes.com/), the leading innovator and producer of GMP/ISO/FSSC-certified, effects-based terpenes and terpenoids from hemp and other plants, and a Canadian company developing pharmaceuticals derived from cannabis delivered via an innovative technique to treat serious illnesses currently lacking viable alternatives.

“We will distinguish ourselves from the many other companies in the cannabis space that are largely engaged in attempts to sell similar wares with questionable degrees of quality control in what I would term a ‘race to the bottom,” says Dr. Russo. “CReDO Science intends to raise the bar to bring safer and better cannabis products into mainstream commerce for improved endocannabinoid balance.”

To learn more about CReDO Science, visit www.Credo-Science.com.

Download this press release in PDF form here.