Youngevity International, Inc. NASDAQ:YGYI

Denver CO – February 14, 2019 – As the cannabis industry continues its impressive growth, acquisitions are leading to greater vertical integration.

• Companies within the cannabis sector are acquiring other organizations to benefit from valuable specialist knowledge and skills.
• Such deals allow vertically integrated value chains, as have also been applied in industries such as coffee production.
• This comes amid wider growth in the sector, which is drawing substantial outside investment.

Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI) (YGYI Profile) is following the vertically integrated model, having recently acquired a company specializing in cannabis processing machinery. Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ:TLRY) is expanding its Canadian production facilities through the acquisition of another grower. Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch Inbev (NYSE:BUD) (OTC:BUDFF) has partnered with Tilray to produce cannabis-infused drinks. In addition, tobacco companies are investing in the sector, providing extra funds for companies such as Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CRON) (TSX:CRON). Specialist companies such as cannabis real estate finance company Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (NYSE:IIPR) are also looking for entry positions in the industry.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Cannabis Companies Turn to Vertical Integration

As the global cannabis industry continues to grow — with North America taking a leading role —  companies are eager to find ways to improve their productivity and stand out from the pack. A wide range of companies covering the production, processing, marketing, and sales of cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) products are vying for a position in the space. So, what can give a company an edge?

Many are turning to vertical integration. By bringing together production, processing and distribution, companies can cut costs, improve efficiency and ensure quality control. It’s a strategy that has worked well in other parts of the economy, but can it work for cannabis?

Acquisitions for Growth

This all-under-one-roof strategy is definitely one that the management at Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI) believes in. A leading omni-directional lifestyle company, Youngevity has recently moved into the cannabis sector through investment in CBD.

CBD is one of two significant active ingredients found in cannabis. Unlike THC, which until a few years ago was the best-known of these chemicals, CBD is not psychoactive and does not deliver the highs or mental impairment that comes with THC. In addition, recent research has indicated that CBD could have a wide range of beneficial effects for health and well-being, leading to a burgeoning market for CBD products. This promising research, along with a growing popular acceptance of cannabis, has led to a resurgence in the growth of hemp — a variety of cannabis that can be rich in CBD but low in THC — and hemp-based products.

Youngevity entered this market last summer, with the launch of its Hemp FX product line, which includes products designed to soothe muscle pain and help consumers relax. This has provided a new product offering for a company that has already seen success with its hybrid model of direct selling, social selling and e-commerce.

To expand upon this opportunity, Youngevity has recently acquired Khrysos Global, a large hemp and CBD machine manufacturing company. Khrysos’s proprietary technology has been developed specifically to extract active ingredients from hemp and cannabis in order to provide the best possible yields from crops. The company also provides planning and consulting for cannabis companies looking to make use of technology in the extraction process.

“Our acquisition of Khrysos is extremely exciting on a number of levels,” said Youngevity CEO Steve Wallach. “Beyond the fact that Khrysos’ hemp-CBD extraction technology is far more efficient than most anything else on the market, we’re acquiring a turnkey business model here. Their systems are applicable to the entire industry and are immediately implementable across our own line of HempFX products as well as in offtake agreements we have through our existing business relationships. We see this as providing not only immense value to our company, but also to our investors–by selling not just the extraction systems, but also servicing and operating those systems via a rental model, they will provide us with continuous, ongoing profitability.”

Field to Finish

The acquisition is a natural move for Youngevity, not just because of the company’s interest in the hemp market but because of its established business model. This model, which the company refers to as “field to finish,” has been tested and proven through its CLR Roasters subsidiary.

CLR is invested in every stage in the coffee production process, from farming and green coffee distribution to roasting and sales of branded goods. Its vertically integrated model includes a plantation and dry-roasting facility in Nicaragua, established U.S. facilities and sales networks, and its own coffee brand. This comprehensive approach allows the company to control the entire process of coffee production from the field to the consumer’s cup, not only providing profit at every stage but ensuring the quality and the reputation of the company’s own products.

The acquisition of Khrysos and a 20 percent ownership stake in the Carolina Cannabis Company will allow Youngevity to establish a similar model in the cannabis sector. By taking ownership of the production, processing, branding and sales of CBD products, the company plans to profit from every stage in the process and ensure that its products are produced both efficiently and to the highest standards.

The acquisition brings the skills and experience of Khrysos’s technical and managerial staff in house at Youngevity, another critical advantage. The cannabis sector is still in its early days, and companies are regularly refining their processes the industry continues to evolve and grow. Having specialist knowledge about the equipment used in processing cannabis can only help the Youngevity optimize its processing systems, ensuring efficient manufacturing and a smooth supply chain.

Like any business savvy acquisition, this deal stands to benefit both the purchasing company and the one it is taking over. Youngevity’s scale and experience in reaching customers is designed to allow Khrysos’s technology to reach a wider market. Being part of a larger company provides an opportunity for Khrysos to expand, scaling up its equipment and advisory business.

“This is an exhilarating time for us,” said Dave Briskie, president and CFO of Youngevity. “This is just the first step Youngevity plans to take as we look to continue developing in the hemp-derived CBD industry. Right now, that industry is expanding so quickly that companies are struggling to keep up with demand. So acquiring the production capabilities of Khrysos, and adapting a creative model that allows us to upscale the usage of its technologies across our own properties and the properties of our partners — I feel — really stakes our claim within the industry at large.”

An Industry Expanding

Youngevity’s work represents only one part of a broader wave of expansion for the cannabis industry.

Canadian cannabis company Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ:TLRY) is among those using acquisitions to fuel growth. Tilray recently announced the pending acquisition of Natura Natural Holdings Inc., another Canadian company. Valued at C$70 million, this deal will increase Tilray’s growing space by 662,000 square feet, a significant expansion in an industry based around self-contained indoor agricultural facilities. An innovator in the cultivation, production and distribution of cannabis products, Tilray has has also established subsidiaries and affiliates in Europe, the Pacific, and Latin America, the latter through the recent establishment of Tilray Latin America SpA.

Like Youngevity, other companies with experience outside cannabis are now making moves into the sector. Anheuser-Busch Inbev (NYSE:BUD) (OTCPK:BUDFF), the brewers of the iconic Budweiser beer, is the latest in a series of beverage companies to make this move. The company has created a partnership with Tilray to explore the potential of cannabis and CBD-infused drinks. It’s a substantial deal, with each company planning to invest $50 million in the venture, and though it will initially be limited to the Canadian market, if the venture proves successful, the potential to grow in the Unites States is significant.

Tobacco companies are an obvious fit for the cannabis sector, which could provide them with an alternative revenue stream as health-conscious consumers turn away from tobacco. Altria, the company behind such famous brands as Marlboro and Benson & Hedges, has invested C$2.4 billion in Canadian cannabis company Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CRON) (TSX:CRON). Canada is a good starting place for a company entering the cannabis market, thanks to the legalization of recreational cannabis in the country last October, but the investment in Cronos represents a broader opportunity. With business in Latin America, Europe, Australia and Israel, Cronos will provide Altria with access to a global cannabis market.

As well as attracting big players from the wider economy, the growth of the cannabis industry has supported the emergence of specialist companies within the sector, such as Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (NYSE:IIPR). Founded in December 2016, Innovative Industrial Properties is a pioneering real estate investment trust that provides real estate capital for the medical cannabis industry. The illegality of cannabis at a federal level in the United States has made it hard for companies to acquire regular sources of funding, such as bank loans when buying property for cannabis production. There is therefore a substantial market for the company’s funding, and an opportunity for both sides to profit from such finance.

The growing cannabis market has produced companies specializing in many different areas. By bringing these specialties together, vertically integrated companies have a chance to increase profits and profit from this remarkable growth.

For more information about Youngevity International, please visit Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI).

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CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage

Denver CO – January 22, 2019 – With experts such as the Brightfield Group predicting the hemp-derived CBD (cannabidiol) market will reach $22 billion by 2022, major industry players such as Anheuser-Busch are seeing value and viability in the direct selling approach to selling CBD products.

• With a predicted 130 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next three years, the hemp-derived CBD industry looks primed to explode.
• The direct selling approach to selling CBD products pioneered by brands such as Youngevity International is attracting the interest of large-scale companies.
• Given new medical studies proving the efficacy of daily CBD intake, the market appears ripe for companies with vested interests in other lifestyle markets.

Following the passing of the groundbreaking 2018 U.S. Farm Bill that legalized the industrial cultivation of hemp nationally, scores of companies not endemic to the cannabis industry are looking to find a way to enter the booming CBD market. Partnerships and acquisitions look to be one of the most promising ways to do that, with many savvy companies utilizing the direct selling route originated by brands such as Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI) (Profile), a leading omni-direct lifestyle company. New Age Beverages Corporation (NASDAQ:NBEV) recently merged with a direct selling company with the intent to distribute its CBD products inside – and potentially outside – the United States. Beer giant Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) poured a $4 billion investment into Canadian cannabis company Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE:CGC). Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE:BUD) (OTC:BUDFF) also partnered with a leading Canadian cannabis producer to research cannabis-infused drinks and owns 20 percent of Icelandic Water Holdings, which recently entered into an exclusive joint-marketing/development agreement with Youngevity to develop and sell CBD-infused products.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

A Market Primed to Skyrocket

The recent deregulation, legalization and proliferation of the cannabis industries in the United States and Canada made 2018 a landmark year for those industries, creating an ideal scenario for  an astronomical growth rate. Canada’s recent move to legalize recreational marijuana and the United States’ decision to legalize the industrial cultivation of hemp nationwide has experts forecasting the global cannabis industry to exceed $39 billion by 2023 and possibly exceed $95 billion by 2026.

Within that market, the hemp-derived CBD segment will likely grow at an even faster rate, with that growth buoyed by the fact that it doesn’t have to pass any state legalization hurdles across the United States. Brightfield Group expects the hemp-CBD industry’s growth to outpace the rest of the cannabis industry combined, and Hemp Business Journal estimates the hemp market to grow around 700 percent by 2020. With the meteoric growth predicted, companies such as Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI), which already have established direct-selling channels that can nimbly adapt and upscale marketing, production, and delivery, could see a boon in business.

Direct Selling Method Attracting Corporate Giants

Given the nascent nature of the cannabis industry, many consumers are just learning about CBD products, meaning that growth within the industry is happening in the most organic fashion possible: word-of-mouth marketing. Brightfield Group notes that more than 50 percent of CBD consumers in all U.S. regions first learned about CBD from friends or family, which makes direct selling companies a “fantastic fit” for the CBD industry.

Studies by Direct Selling News show that direct selling companies already lead the global market in sales of CBD products with more than $300 million in annual sales. Therefore, the interest of larger, non-endemic companies in the direct selling model of brands such as Youngevity only makes sense and may signal that, as the cannabis market continues its stratospheric growth, so too will the direct selling sector within the industry.

Increased Medical Studies Cause Increased Interest in CBD

One of the main driving forces behind the rapid increase in popularity in CBD globally is increased awareness by consumers of the widespread medical uses of CBD. Research has shown that CBD, particularly when used daily, can help treat and prevent symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, arthritis, epilepsy and a slew of other ailments.

Given that, companies such as Youngevity — which has the ability to deliver CBD in convenient packaging and applications for daily use — may have an upper leg when it comes to profiting off the growing trend. Knowing that, it makes sense that Youngevity recently announced an exclusive joint-marketing agreement with Icelandic Water Holdings, a company in which Anheuser-Busch has 20 percent ownership.

Youngevity and Icelandic plan to develop and sell CBD-infused dietary supplements, children’s drinks, pet products, and coffee products via Youngevity’s direct selling platform. This move seems to validate not only the viability of the direct selling model in selling CBD products but also the potential windfall businesses already established in other lifestyle industries may experience by integrating into the CBD sector.

Lifestyle Direct Selling Companies Poised to Capitalize on Expanding CBD Market

Globally, the direct selling market is growing. Research by Euromonitor shows that the direct selling market is expected to reach $163 billion by 2020, with the largest portion of that business coming from the wellness industry. Given the aforementioned promise of the CBD market in the direct selling industry, along with the expected continual growth of the direct selling industry at large, it only makes sense that direct selling companies poised at the intersection of the cannabis, wellness and other lifestyle industries may be best suited to capitalize on the inclusion of CBD in other industries.

Youngevity could be an ideal example of just such a company. The direct selling expert has already established a sterling presence in the coffee industry through its wholly-owned subsidiary CLR Roasters, a proven farm-to-cup pipeline that can be quickly and easily adapted for hemp cultivation. Its holdings in other markets ripe for CBD inclusion such as the beauty and wellness industries, Youngevity may be best positioned to harness the incredible growth in the CBD market, particularly via large-scale corporate partnerships and mergers.

CBD Market Continues to Draw Non-Endemic Interest as Direct Selling Flourishes

New Age Beverages Corp. (NASDAQ:NBEV) recently merged with the direct selling company Morinda with the stated intent to sell CBD products through Morinda’s direct selling model. This appears to be a solid endorsement of the viability of direct selling in selling CBD. Created in 2016, New Age has developed a brand portfolio competing in the highest growth segments of the beverage industry and has created the only one-stop-shop of healthy beverages. By combining with Morinda, New Age plans to rapidly grow its brands by adding a direct-to-consumer infrastructure and market access to 60 countries around the world.

Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) has similarly shown that the beer industry is keenly interested in the CBD market. It recently invested $4 billion in Canadian cannabis producer Canopy Growth (NYSE:CGC) (TSX:WEED), telling U.S. lawmakers it was “extremely bullish, if not more bullish” on the prospect of selling CBD-infused drinks in the United States. following the nationwide legalization of industrial hemp cultivation via the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill. Given its positioning as a premium beer, wine, and spirits company, Constellation’s interest in the market may signal that other large corporations in the premium beverage market may see viability in CBD.

Canopy Growth was the first cannabis company in North America to be publicly traded, then followed that milestone by becoming the first North American cannabis company to diversify its platform to include both greenhouse and indoor growing, to acquire a major competitor and to be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Through its subsidiary, Canopy was also the first cannabis company to introduce the now-standard concept of compassionate pricing, making medical cannabis more affordable for patients.

Anheuser-Busch Inbev (NYSE: BUD) (OTC:BUDFF), the massive brewer that makes Budweiser Bud Light, and more than 500 other beer brands, has shown a keen interest in the CBD market. The company recently partnered in a $100 million joint venture with Tilray Inc., a leading Canadian cannabis company, to research cannabis-infused drinks for the Canadian market. Currently the partnership is limited to Canada, with the companies making decisions regarding the commercialization of the beverages in the future. Anheuser-Busch said it would participate in the project through its subsidiary Labatt Breweries of Canada.

The recent nationwide legalization of hemp cultivation in the United States, as well as the nationwide cannabis legalization in Canada, has created a rapidly expanding CBD market. With the proven success of direct selling companies in selling these products, it seems the direct selling industry will continue to help propel the CBD market as large-scale, non-endemic companies look for ways to gain entry into the market.

For more information about Youngevity International, please visit Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI).

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

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Denver CO – January 15, 2019 – The market for cannabidiol (CBD) beverages alone could achieve a value of $260 million in the United States by 2022. CBD beverages form part of an even wider market for marijuana-infused drinks that is predicted to reach a value of $600 million in three years’ time.

• U.S. market for CBD and THC beverages could reach $600 million by 2022.
• Cannabis-infused drinks could outperform other cannabis products.
• Non-cannabis and cannabis companies alike are joining this new market .

Savvy companies are looking to position themselves in this burgeoning market, often by partnering with companies that provide invaluable experience in the sector. Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI) (YGYI Profile), an established omni-direct lifestyle company, has formed a cross-marketing agreement with a bottled spring water company, which will see the pair develop new products including a ready-to-drink CBD beverage. Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ:TLRY) is partnering with the world’s largest brewer in a $100-million joint venture to research cannabis-infused nonalcoholic drinks. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE:CGC) (TSX:WEED) recently received a $4 billion investment from a leading beer maker. Other companies are looking to grow in additional cannabis spaces. Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE:ACB) (TSX:ACB) recently received a license from Health Canada permitting the sale of cannabis softgel capsules. And GW Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:GWPH) announced that its FDA-approved anti-epileptic drug is now available in the United States.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Injecting Growth into Product Portfolios

Recent reports by Canaccord Genuity indicate that cannabis and CBD-infused beverages have the potential to outperform cannabis products, reaching up to 20 percent of the market for cannabis-containing consumables by 2022. “While these trends represent a significant opportunity for U.S. cannabis companies, they have not gone unnoticed by large mainstream beverage players looking to inject growth into their product portfolio,” said Canaccord analyst Bobby Burleson, who also predicts that ready-to-drink CBD beverages will form part of the growing market for wellness drinks.

Indeed, a number of U.S and Canadian pharmaceutical, cannabis, beverage and even lifestyle companies have developed or are planning to develop CBD-infused beverages. These developments often begin with, or result in, new partnerships.

Joining Forces to Share, Build and Develop

Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI) has entered an exclusive cross-marketing agreement with Icelandic Glacial™. The agreement includes plans to develop new products including CBD drinks in order to extend the market for Youngevity’s lifestyle brands and Icelandic Glacial’s market reach.

Icelandic Glacial bottled water will be added to Youngevity’s roster of health, wellness, food and beverage brands. Owned by Icelandic Water Holdings and registered in Iceland, the Icelandic Glacial brand offers water that comes from the naturally alkaline spring Ölfus Spring, has a low mineral content and is certified CarbonNeutral®.

Youngevity and Icelandic Glacial have agreed to partner for three years. Icelandic Glacial bottled water will be sold alongside Youngevity’s direct selling supplements, including 90 for Life, CBD products, pet supplements and the coffee holdings of Youngevity’s wholly owned subsidiary, CLR Roasters. During the three-year period, Youngevity will not promote any other bottled water, and Icelandic Glacial will not promote any other supplement businesses or products.

“With its rare, naturally occurring, high-pH level, low-mineral content, and unique lava rock filtering system — as well as its positioning as the world’s first CarbonNeutral bottled water company — Icelandic Glacial is perfectly positioned to serve not only customers who want a pure-tasting water that makes them feel and perform their best but also eco-friendly consumers who want to make sure their money goes to brands with a conscience,” said Steve Wallach, CEO of Youngevity International Inc.

Youngevity will use its marketing and multilevel marketing expertise to help Icelandic Glacial build its brand and reach new customers in the United States and around the globe. In return, Icelandic Water Holdings plans to introduce its customers to Youngevity’s health and nutrition products. Icelandic has a 14-year history of serving health and quality-conscious consumers while building a brand known for purity. The company has a completely sustainable operation fueled solely by geothermal and hydroelectric power. Icelandic Water is committed to reaching a target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Entering the CBD Product Market

The development of a ready-to-drink CBD beverage will be the first of the partnership’s potential new products. Future ideas may include possible special products for a range of markets based on CBD and other life-enhancing supplements.

Youngevity first entered the $7.7 billion cannabis industry with the introduction of its Hemp FX™ brand in October 2018. The new product line includes three blends of hemp-derived cannabinoid oil products: a topical cream, softgel capsules and a relaxing sleep oil. Each formula contains organically grown hemp-derived cannabinoids combined with Youngevity signature nutrients.

“Hemp-derived cannabidiol aligns with what we do very well,” said Wallach. “We’ve taken what we know about essential nutrients, along with decades of knowledge specializing in natural, plant-based nutrition and their most beneficial nutrients, and put that knowledge to work to develop high-end cannabidiol products.”

Youngevity operates a hybrid direct-sales business model combined with e-commerce and social selling to deliver a virtual main street of products and services under one entity. Its entire range includes products from eight top-selling retail categories including health/nutrition, home/family, food/beverage (including coffee), spa/beauty, fashion, essential oils and photo.

A Global Market Worth $22 Billion by 2020

Reports suggest the entire hemp-derived CBD market will hit $22 billion globally by 2022. Much of the focus on CBD-infused products and drinks is towards the healthy lifestyle consumer market. However, more big brand beverage companies are expected to enter the industry and create CBD-infused non-alcoholic beverages for a broader spectrum of consumers. CBD-focused developments and partnerships are likely to increase as industry regulation becomes clearer.

For example, medical cannabis company Tilray (NASDAQ:TLRY) announced a research partnership with Labatt Breweries parent company AB InBev to explore the potential of THC- and CBD-infused non-alcoholic beverages. This partnership will be limited to Canada, with Tilray participating through its Canadian adult-use cannabis subsidiary. The partnership calls for each company investing up to $50 million in the project.

Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE:CGC) (TSX:WEED) continues to benefit from a massive multibillion-dollar investment by Corona-beer maker Constellation Brands. The move will extend the collaboration from the development of cannabis-based beverages to co-developing products across a complete range of cannabis extracts. It also allows Canopy Growth to build scale in the more than 30 countries considering legalization of medical cannabis and establish essential infrastructure required to supply new recreational adult-use markets.

After obtaining the required licensing, Aurora Cannabis (NYSE:ACB) (TSX:ACB) has commenced shipments of cannabis softgel capsules for both the Canadian medical and adult-use markets. The company expects to start exporting to international markets early this year. Aurora intends to make its smoke-free softgel product available to all of its domestic and international target markets over time where legally possible. “Softgels are a high-volume, high-margin product for both the medical and adult-use markets that are in strong demand, and Aurora is one of few companies making these products available to patients and consumers alike,” said Aurora CEO Terry Booth.

Apart from cannabis-infused beverages, GW Pharmaceutical’s (NASDAQ:GWPH) product EPIDIOLEX is the first FDA-approved CBD oral medicine available by prescription in the United States for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome in patients two years of age or older. Its Sativex brand was the first-ever natural cannabis plant derivative to achieve market approval.

For more information about Youngevity International, please visit Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI).

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

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DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. FN Media Group (FNM) is a third-party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated with CNW or any company mentioned herein. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW and are not shared by and do not reflect in any manner the views or opinions of FNM. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW and FNM for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW and FNM and their respective affiliated companies are a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, FNM, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW & FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

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NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage

New York, NY – December 19, 2018 – Amazon’s food and beverage category has posted $4.75 billion in sales thus far in 2018 and is the online retailer’s fastest growing segment.

• Amazon’s food and beverage category is the online retailer’s fastest growing segment.
• Coffee is the most popular subset of the company’s category.
• Youngevity International is one of the savvy companies seizing the opportunity to establish itself as a leader in the space.

A growing number of companies are working to stake their claim in the online giant’s coffee marketplace, for good reason: coffee is the most popular subset of Amazon’s food and beverage category. Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI) (YGYI Profile), a leading omni-direct lifestyle company with emerging holdings in the coffee industry, announced recently that it would be getting in on the action with its wholly owned coffee manufacturing subsidiary, CLR Roasters. Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:SBUX), Keurig Dr. Pepper, Inc. (NASDAQ: KDP), and Nestle (OTC:NSRGY) were the top three sellers of coffee on Amazon in 2018, with year-to-date sales totaling more than $16.8 million, $12.6 million, and $11.2 million, respectively. The J.M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) has also been focusing on increasing its presence in the premium and single-serve coffee space.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

On the Rise

The price of coffee futures overall has been steadily on the rise over the last few years, and Amazon has taken advantage of the promising trend. Analysts predict that the company’s share of the online U.S. food and beverage market will reach 31.8 percent in 2018. And the news gets better for the innovative organization: online grocery sales are expected to reach $100 billion by 2025, with Amazon’s market share of the industry only expected to grow.

Coffee sales will be a significant part of that growth. According to Edge Market Share, coffee sales on Amazon have totaled more than $140 million so far this year, and with the trend consistently moving up, the numbers for companies selling on the site are likely to increase as well.

Seizing the Opportunity

Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI) is one of the savvy companies seizing the opportunity to establish itself as a leader in this growth. Earlier this month, the company announced that its CLR Roasters brand had accepted an invitation to sell its Café La Rica® espresso and Josie’s Java House® single-serve coffee on Amazon’s Vendor Central. According to the agreement, CLR Roasters will provide the coffee brands while Amazon handles the logistics of sales, order fulfillment and customer support.

Along with the Amazon Vendor Central agreement, Youngevity announced a partnership with Digital Operative, an award-winning San Diego-based full-service digital agency, to assist in the brand’s expansion. “We are excited that two of our company-owned brands are gaining national distribution on Amazon,” said Dave Briskie, president and CFO of Youngevity. “We believe the team at Digital Operative will have a significant impact on the growth of Café La Rica and Josie’s Java House nationally.”

Digital Operative prides itself on working with innovative, unique brands that have a focus on growth, said BJ Cook, founder and CEO of Digital Operative. “CLR Roasters’ brands perfectly fit that mold. With the Amazon Vendor Central agreement in place, Digital Operative is excited to help both brands seek to become household names nationally.”

A Full-Sized Coffee Roaster

Established in 2001, Youngevity’s coffee manufacturing division CLR Roasters is a full-sized coffee roaster that produces gourmet coffees under its own boutique brands, including Café La Rica, Josie’s Java House, and Javalution®. The division also manufactures a variety of private labels for major national chains as well as for Youngevity’s direct-selling channel. In addition, the company is one of North America’s largest suppliers to the cruise line industry.

CLR has been a pioneer in coffee innovation, being the first entrant into the fortified coffee niche with its Youngevity JavaFit® brand. And in May 2014, CLR acquired a coffee plantation and processing facility in Nicaragua, allowing the entity to control coffee production and quality — from field to cup.

Recipe for Success

With a recently executed five-year contract in place, Youngevity is slated to sell and process more than 41 million pounds of green, high-grown washed Nicaraguan conventional coffees per year. Based on recent coffee future prices, that production should add an estimated  $250 million to the company’s numbers from 2019 through 2023.  Extensive regional work by the company’s wholly owned Siles Family Plantation Group was instrumental in securing this significant contract, and Youngevity’s partnership with Alain Hernandez of H&H Export Group bodes well for the company’s further expansion in Nicaragua.

CLR Roasters’ roasting operation roasts around 25,000 to 28,000 pounds per day, totaling 10 million pounds per year, with an annual grinding capacity of approximately 15 million pounds. The company’s field-to-cup strategy provides control over the process every step of the way, allowing Youngevity to consistently meet the industry’s high standards. This same strategy means that CLR Roasters can work directly with its customers to develop unique, customized blends.

The company offers its customers a variety of packaging options to meet every consumer’s needs. From two-ounce fractional packs and five-pound bags to single-serve K-Cups of customized blends — which it can produce at the rate of 220 per minute — the company’s production facility provides both versatility and speed. And in addition to the impressive operational scale of its facility, CLR Roasters prides itself on the retention of boutique roasting methodologies, including visual, touch and smell-based analysis by in-house roasting veterans.

A Growing Sector

Amazon’s grocery sector in many ways remains the Wild West of online retail, with near-unlimited potential and opportunity for growth. Edge Market Share reported that in 2017 Amazon owned an 18 percent  share of the U.S. online grocery market. In 2018, that number has already jumped by more than 30 percent, with a particular focus on the online coffee space. Youngevity isn’t the only company eyeing the promising potential online coffee sales provides.

Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:SBUX) claimed 12 percent share of Amazon’s total first-party coffee sales. The company’s sales for key coffee items nearly tripled in size since last year, putting it in the top spot in the category in 2018. A premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee worldwide, Starbucks is also exploring other avenues of delivering its coffee to consumers. The company recently announced that by early next year, nearly a quarter of its more than  8,000 company-operated U.S. stories will offer Starbucks Delivers via Uber Eats.

Earlier this year, Keurig Green Mountain and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group announced a merger, creating the seventh-largest company in the U.S. food and beverage section and the third-largest beverage company in North America. The resulting company, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Inc. (NASDAQ: KDP), produces the Green Mountain Coffee brand, which garnered 9 percent of Amazon’s burgeoning online coffee sales. In addition to online coffee sales, the company markets the top single-serve coffee brewing system in the country.

Nestlé (OTC:NSRGY) produces the Nespresso brand, which ranked third on Amazon’s list with 8 percent of the online retailer’s sales. Nestlé works with more than 75,000 farmers in 12 countries through its AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program to embed sustainability practices on farms and the surrounding landscapes. Launched in 2003 in collaboration with The Rainforest Alliance, the program helps to improve the yield and quality of harvests, ensuring a sustainable supply of high-quality coffee and improving livelihoods of farmers and their communities.

J.M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) has been working on increasing its presence in the premium and single-serve coffee space. Earlier this year, the company unveiled one of its most significant coffee growth initiative to date: a new line of premium coffees designed to  strengthen its position in the fastest growing market segments and serve as a broad platform for future growth and innovation. The new line, 1850, draws on the rich heritage of The Folger Coffee Company, which was founded during the 1850’s Gold Rush in California. The company hopes the line of coffee will appeal not only to traditional Folgers drinkers but to a younger generation of consumers that generally prefers richer coffee blends.

For more information about Youngevity International, please visit Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI).

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge. For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com.

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. FN Media Group (FNM) is a third-party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated with NNW or any company mentioned herein. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW and are not shared by and do not reflect in any manner the views or opinions of FNM. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW and FNM for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW and FNM and their respective affiliated companies are a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, FNM, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW & FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements.  The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW and FNM undertake no obligation to update such statements.

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New York NY – November 13, 2018 – As the cannabis industry continues to grow, companies are using a variety of strategies to secure their places within the sector.

• The cannabis sector, currently worth over $9 billion in North America, is expected to hit $57 billion globally by 2027.
• This growth is being fueled by changes in the legal climate and a range of business strategies.
• These strategies range from R&D focus to M&A, vertically integrating supply channels in the process.

Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI) (YGYI Profile), a relative newcomer to the sector, is bringing its vertically integrated strategy from the coffee market to cannabis. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ:GWPH) is focused on the medical market, developing prescription medicines among other products. Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. (OTC:CWBHF) (CSE:CWEB) is focused on reaching more retail outlets, pushing its CBD products out through a growing number of channels. CV Sciences, Inc. (OTC:CVSI) is primarily research oriented but is also raising its profile through sponsorship of a hemp industry conference. In Canada, Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (NYSE:ACB) (TSX:ACB) is making use of recent changes by establishing a range of new supply agreements.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

A Changing Business

This year has seen huge developments for the cannabis industry in North America. In Canada, recreational cannabis became legal in the middle of October, after a year of political debate and commercial preparation. South of the border, pressure mounted for reform of federal laws to support states making their own choices, with 64 percent of Americans now saying that they favor legalization. While political maneuvering ahead of the midterm elections delayed efforts to legalize industrial hemp through the 2018 Farm Bill, voters supported the legalization of medical cannabis in Missouri and Utah and of recreational cannabis in Michigan. With cannabis now legal for medical use in 33 states and for recreational use in 10, prohibition is clearly on its last legs.

This wave of change is leading to staggering growth in the cannabis industry. Companies are seeing dramatic rises in revenue as new markets open up, new products are created and new customers cast off tradition to give cannabis a go. This is creating a new space for cannabis companies to work in, where new strategies are being tested alongside new products.

Cannabis Market Keeps Growing

For companies such as Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI) that have a significant investment in cannabis, the past few years have been promising ones. The cannabis market has steadily grown as popular sentiment-driven legalization has opened the way for companies to thrive, which in turn has strengthened their campaigns for further legalization. The success of first medical and then recreational legalization in many states and Canada has reassured others that this is a safe path to follow, creating a North American industry that was worth over $9 billion in 2017, according to a Forbes report. That value is forecast to keep rising, with a predicted value of $47.3 billion by 2027.

With notable exceptions such as Uruguay and Israel, the rest of the world has been slower to follow, but that too is changing. Germany permitted the sale of medical cannabis through pharmacies in 2017. Even Britain, one of Europe’s most conservative countries, opened the door to doctors prescribing cannabis products this year after a high-profile campaign by the mother of an epileptic child. Taken all together, the global market is expected to be worth $57 billion by 2027, according to the Forbes report.

A significant part of that industry is made up of cannabidiol (CBD) products. Derived from both marijuana and industrial hemp, CBD is used in health and wellness products such as Youngevity’s Hemp FX™ range. Though some industry predictions may be unreasonably optimistic, performance indicates that CBD products are increasingly popular and are expected to give a significant boost to cannabis businesses. With Congress expected to legalize widespread hemp cultivation as part of the current Farm Bill, the supply of CBD has the potential to soar.

Developing New Strategies

In the early days of the cannabis industry, corporate strategy was simple. Produce the best cannabis possible, market it within the limited options regulations allowed, and soak up the demand from customers. Now the industry is a more diverse one, from focused pharmaceutical brands to the likes of Youngevity, which combines an interest in CBD with other lifestyle products. Strategies have evolved to match the changing market.

One common path has been that of mergers and acquisitions. In a market full of small businesses, there’s plenty of potential for the big movers to swallow up competitors. This has really taken off in 2018, a year that saw 145 mergers and acquisitions during its first six months, compared with 79 M&As in the first half of 2017.

Investment by and in cannabis companies has also increased. From Sugarmade’s investment of a million dollars in Hempistry to Constellation Brand’s decision to pump billions into Canopy Growth, companies are investing in each other to profit from different parts of the market or to easily enter it for the first time.

For others, product diversification is a common way forward. As the market grows, so does the ingenuity of the companies involved. R&D departments are producing an increasingly wide range of products, whether strains of cannabis or derivatives using CBD. Youngevity has recently added sleep and hydration products to its existing range, as the company finds more uses for CBD and more corners of the market to expand into. The spread of legalization is making it easier for companies to carry out this R&D work, leading to ongoing acceleration in the number of products coming out.

Vertical Integration

While some companies are focusing on horizontal integration, absorbing potential competitors in the same part of the cannabis business, others are looking at vertical integration.

This is the approach taken by Youngevity, with a strategy it refers to as “field to finish.” This is an adaptation of the “field-to-cup” strategy the company takes with coffee, seeking to control the whole supply chain, from the cultivation of beans through to the moment the coffee is delivered to the customer. Except that this product is cannabis instead of coffee.

The field-to-finish strategy offers many advantages for a company that can achieve it. By controlling cultivation, processing and distribution, it can ensure high-quality standards, an important part of Youngevity’s lifestyle brand. It can also benefit from the efficiencies and improved communication that come with an integrated supply chain. Many of the blockages that introduce inefficiencies are more easily removed in a system such as this, leading to a leaner, more cost-effective operation.

Youngevity has only recently entered the CBD market, but the company has grand plans. “We firmly believe in plant-based nutrition, and hemp (CBD) oil perfectly complements our product development philosophy,” said Steve Wallach, the company’s CEO. “Entering this market, which is growing almost exponentially, also should offer a tremendous advantage to our many distributors around the world.”

As Wallach has repeatedly made clear, the products so far released are only the beginning for Youngevity.

Players Big and Small

With the market going through dramatic changes, both large and small companies are making significant moves to expand their slice of the pie.

GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ:GWPH) has built a strategy strongly oriented towards the medical market. This includes not just selling strains of cannabis but creating other medicines based on it. The company has created the first plant-derived cannabinoid medicine to gain U.S Food and Drug Administration approval, getting GW’s products into the prescription drug market across the United States. By creating new and valuable medicines, it is creating a place as a prestigious innovator with customers’ wellbeing at its heart.

Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. (OTC:CWBHF) (CSE:CWEB) is catering to the broader health and wellness market with its CBD-based products. As mainstream acceptance of CBD grows, the company is expanding into a wider range of stores and has now reached 3,000 outlets.

Like GW, CV Sciences, Inc. (OTC:CVSI) has built its business around research, using its expertise to create new products and to sell its services to consumers. CV Sciences was the first hemp CBD nutraceutical company whose products were certified Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA, helping improve the image of both the products and the cannabis market. The company is further raising its profile within the industry as a sponsor of HIACON 2018, the Hemp Industries Association’s 25^th anniversary convention.

For Canadian companies such as Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (NYSE:ACB) (TSX:ACB), recreational legalization has opened up a whole new market that presents new opportunities and new challenges. With the market regulated province by province, companies have to set up supply agreements to cover different regions. Aurora has been busily setting up these agreements, giving it a wide distribution network over an important new market.

The expansion of the cannabis market has led to a range of strategies, from acquisitions and  product development to opening up new distribution channels, leading to growth for a diversity of different companies. The next few years will show which strategies work best.

For more information about Youngevity International, please visit Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI).

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

Receive Text Alerts from CannabisNewsWire: Text “Cannabis” to 21000

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com and or https://CannabisNewsWire.News

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. FN Media Group (FNM) is a third-party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated with CNW or any company mentioned herein. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW and are not shared by and do not reflect in any manner the views or opinions of FNM. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW and FNM for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW and FNM and their respective affiliated companies are a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, FNM, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW & FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements.  The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW and FNM undertake no obligation to update such statements.

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New York NY – October 30, 2018 – Following a tumultuous month, cannabis continues to carve its own path rather than following the lead of other stocks.

• As the stock market plummeted earlier this month, cannabis companies stayed strong, buoyed up by legislative changes in Canada.
• The cannabis market appears set for continuing growth as it expands into expected sales worth billions of dollars across North America.
• While it still faces regulatory challenges in some locations, this market sector is preparing for corporate big players to move in.

Companies with varied interests are moving into the cannabis sector, such as lifestyle business Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI) (YGYI Profile). While the stocks of some cannabis players such as Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ:TLRY) appear overvalued, this reflects problems with valuation tools more than the stocks themselves. The sector has developed its own heavy hitters, such as Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE:CGC) (TSX:WEED), whose millions of square feet of growing space are now leading to sales into the United States as well as Canada. Some companies are focused only on medical products, such as GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ:GWPH) with its cannabis-based prescription medicines. But it’s the recreational side of the cannabis space that has drawn in Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE:STZ), a huge beverage maker that has invested $4 billion in a cannabis cultivator.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Cannabis Stocks Versus the Market

It’s been an interesting month for cannabis stocks.

Three weeks ago, cannabis looked like a particularly strong bet. As the wider stock market fell, cannabis stayed strong. Some cannabis stocks even saw significant rises in value amid promising developments from those companies. Legalization in Canada undoubtedly played a part in their success, with the run-up to Oct. 17 seeing predictions of massive profits for cannabis companies. But some commentators argued that it was part of a bigger trend in which cannabis stocks are among those that don’t follow other market indicators.

Then came the week following legalization and a notable fall in the value of cannabis shares. The hype around these companies was punctured by market shifts. Had they fallen in line with the rest of the market? Was the reality of Canadian legalization catching up with the imagined utopia? Or was this simply a downturn for a sector trending separately from competitors?

More to the Market

To understand shifts in cannabis shares, one needs to take a look at the state of the industry.

The cannabis industry isn’t self-contained. The spread of legalization and the emergence of derivative products has created a diverse sector combining exciting startups with older companies dipping their toes in a novel market. Alongside the pure-play cannabis brands, there are pharmaceutical businesses and even lifestyle companies such as Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI).

These companies are selling three distinct products.

First, there’s medical cannabis. Supplied on prescription to deal with pain and nausea, cannabis’ medical properties remain hotly debated but that hasn’t stopped the state-legalized use of it from spreading across more than half of the United States.

In material terms, recreational cannabis has exactly the same chemical makeup as some of the medicinal products. What’s primarily different is the way that it’s marketed, sold and used. This is cannabis used for fun and relaxation. It’s now available by law in nine U.S. states and Canada.

Then there are the derivative products. Most, including those sold by Youngevity, use cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabidiol is an active ingredient that doesn’t get users high. CBD can be extracted from cannabis, both from the marijuana plant as well as its tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-free variety known as industrial hemp. Research into CBD is still in its infancy, but it is already used in a wide range of health and wellness products.

Over the past 20 years, cannabis has grown from a black market drug to a major public market product in North America, with growing influence in the rest of the world. From the first stirrings of a medical market to the current state of affairs in which a G8 country has a recreational market and the White House is hinting at U.S. reforms, it’s been a fast ride. As a result, there’s still a lot of uncertainty about cannabis’ destiny.

Where Now for Cannabis Shares?

The idea that weed doesn’t correlate to other stocks seems to have some truth. This was shown by the events of early to mid-October, when legal reform and individual brand announcements set it on an opposite trend from other shares. While the Dow has headed towards its worst month since May 2010, cannabis stocks have carved their own path. It looked like good news for companies such as Youngevity.

For now, cannabis is offering a real challenge for traders. Cannabis stocks look overvalued based on traditional valuation metrics such as price-to-book ratio, price-to-earnings ratio or price-to-sales ratio. But these metrics are based on past results, not future valuations. Given ongoing changes, the future performance of cannabis companies will be nothing like the past. Whole new customer bases are opening up, bringing staggering potential for growth.

In the next month, there will be votes on whether to allow recreational cannabis in North Dakota and Michigan, at least one of which is likely to pass. North of the border, Canada is planning to legalize cannabis-infused edibles next year. That means a whole new sector of profit opportunities.

Then there’s the impending arrival of big players in the market. Big pharmaceutical and consumables companies haven’t paid much attention to cannabis yet, as its value is relatively low compared with their existing revenues. But with the market expanding, both groups may get involved — beverage and tobacco companies pursuing a natural spin-off from their existing businesses and big pharma in pursuit of new medicines. Those are moves that will bring disruption unrelated to wider markets.

As a lifestyle brand selling both coffee and cannabis derivatives, Youngevity has already placed itself to enter this cross-over market. And with its new HempFX™ line now available online, it’s moving fast to profit from changes in the cannabis market.

Riding High

Alongside medical and recreational marijuana, CBD is seeing huge growth. Youngevity CEO Steve Wallach has spoken about the huge potential of CBD products in direct sales channels, not just in America but around the world. His company is riding high on this trend with the announcement of new CBD products.

Youngevity’s first offering in the CB market is the HempFX™ product line, a trio of three different hemp-derived cannabidiol oil products that contain organically grown products in proprietary formulas designed for a variety of everyday use.

The products include Soothe™, a blend of botanicals designed to relieve muscles by calming aches and pains; Uplift™, which combines CBD with St. John’s Wort to improve cognitive performance and mood; and Relax™, which combines CBD with a variety of herbs and melatonin to bring relaxation and a better night’s sleep.

Cannabis’ Long-Term Prospects

The signs remain good for cannabis companies. One study predicts that sales in Canada could reach $7.1 billion in 2019, $4.3 billion of that coming from the recreational market.

The boss of cannabis company Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ:TLRY) believes that the market in the United States will soon be worth $150 billion. A leading player in the medical cannabis market, Tilray has established agreements with Canadian partners that will let it profit from changes in that country, changes that could radically improve its earnings.

Other companies are also making significant movements in the market. Drinks giant Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) has invested $4 billion in Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE:CGC) (TSX:WEED), showing that it is serious about moving into the cannabis market. Canopy Growth is one of Canada’s largest cannabis companies, with 5.6 million square feet of growing space. Like Tilray, it’s looking at the wider North American picture and carried out a legal transfer of cannabis to the United States, the first such transfer with a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-issued permit.

Canopy Growth’s strong performance has drawn the attention of companies outside the cannabis sector, leading to the headline-making investment from Constellation Brands earlier this year. Many commentators have talked about this as a chance for Constellation to produce cannabis-infused beverages, a largely untapped market likely to take off once new rules come in Canada next year. But it may represent a broader play, as alcohol and tobacco companies aim to take control of cannabis and fill the gaps as sales of their existing lines fall.

Some companies are focused only on the medical market. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) has created the first Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved cannabis-based prescription medicine as part of its substantial research and design program. Even as the recreational market and CBD steal its thunder, the medical market remains strong.

Clearly, there are still big uncertainties for the cannabis market. Questions about regulation and how far legalization will spread hang over everybody’s heads. Yet companies are thriving despite this, showing the rewards that so often come with risk and innovation.

For more information about Youngevity International, please visit Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI).

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

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DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. FN Media Group (FNM) is a third-party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated with CNW or any company mentioned herein. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW and are not shared by and do not reflect in any manner the views or opinions of FNM. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW and FNM for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW and FNM and their respective affiliated companies are a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, FNM, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

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Source:  CannabisNewsWire

New York, NY – October 23, 2018 – All eyes are on Canada and the burgeoning North American cannabis market right now, as the flood gates open and nationwide recreational legalization north of the U.S. border throws the recent $47.3 billion by 2027 forecast from Arcview Market Research into clear relief.

• Historic end of cannabis prohibition creates unprecedented market forces
• CBD could outpace broader market
• Direct selling in the digital age more relevant than ever
• Overlapping cultural vectors among core wellness and cannabis consumers
• Biopharma potential immense, nutritional potential immediately accessible commercially

Already running hot at $9.2 billion last year, the North American cannabis market appears to be just getting started. Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI) (YGYI Profile) is a particularly interesting player in this space that deserves further examination considering the company’s strong logistical footprint in direct selling, the success of a shrewd and comprehensive growth model in ground coffee retail, and an established presence as one of the most trusted names in nutritional supplements. INSYS Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:INSY) has a leading position in the development of pharmaceutical cannabinoids. Developers of MARINOL, the first synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oral solution, AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) has been ranked in the top five on Science magazine’s annual list of Top Science Employers. Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZYNE) is known for transdermal cannabinoid therapies and recently reported the initiation of a first-of-its-kind clinical study using a novel pharmaceutically produced CBD targeting epilepsy and Fragile X syndrome. Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CARA) is at the forefront of preclinical work in selective cannabinoid receptor-modulating formulas that avoid interacting with receptors in the central nervous system.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Functional Cannabis Consumables

CBD from sources such as industrial hemp, which would be legal to cultivate in the United States under the new Farm Bill currently being considered, could post growth that eclipses that of the broader cannabis space. A strong driver here is the mounting laundry list of proven health benefits of CBD.

Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI) recently announced the launch of two new organic hemp-derived cannabidiol products designed to be used with the company’s proprietary portable water-filtering bottle system. HempFX™ Hydration™ — Sleep has added melatonin and promotes healthy sleep patterns naturally, while HempFX Hydration™ — Pure is designed to deliver 25 mg of full-spectrum CBD directly to the digestive system.

These beverages are now available online and join a growing portfolio of organic CBD-based products from YGYI, including HempFX Soothe™ for achy joints and muscles; HempFX Uplift™, which is designed to naturally elevate mood and promote overall health; and HempFX Relax™, which is packed with a wide variety of sleep-supporting botanicals.

The meteoric rise in YGYI’s share price in recent weeks to a high of $16.25, nearly triple the preceding trend of several years, was pared somewhat due to broader market declines, leading to an $11.47 close the week ending Oct 19. However, the market mini-correction in the latest FOMC meeting, where a steady and largely anticipated diet of gradual rate hikes was indicated, appears to have blown off most of its steam according to many analysts, including those at J.P. Morgan who see a reversal on the horizon as earnings season begins. The current situation could present a nice buying opportunity, should the recent upward trend again find traction.

Huge Direct Selling Network, Increasingly Global Footprint

Q2 2018 saw a 6.6 percent increase in revenues for YGYI to $44.3 million, led by a 23.7 percent jump in coffee sales. With 83 percent of total revenues coming from direct selling (up 3.7 percent) and the remainder coming from coffee, news that the company is boldly entering the CBD market has set some analysts’ mouths watering. The company’s coffee-roasting segment, run by wholly owned subsidiary CLR Roasters, has seen tremendous success with its high-energy, fat-burning JavaFit line of gourmet coffees as well as the increasingly popular Café La Rica and Josie’s Java House brands.

The same kind of combined marketing, distribution, sourcing and branded product expertise YGYI has demonstrated in mastery of the coffee game could put investors in the pole position as the company goes cannabis, especially amid a political environment where antiquated regulations are hastily going up in smoke.

In a deal further cementing YGYI’s foothold in the hospitality market, the company recently signed a massive new deal with a major operator in the cruise line industry that will put YGYI’s coffees in the bellies of the entire crew of a 60-ship fleet, as well as those of passengers on three luxury cruise ships. Youngevity has quickly built out a comprehensive coffee revenue pipeline encompassing green coffee distribution, private-label roasting and sales of owned brands, significantly enabled by an existing direct sales matrix of high-value relationships. This direct sales network is backed by an increasingly sophisticated web platform, which is helping YGYI’s expansion into global markets proceed apace of expectations.

Following Field-to-Cup Coffee Model

Youngevity’s unique field-to-cup approach to the coffee market, including sourcing its coffees from an expanding footprint in the high-mountain region of Nicaragua known for producing exceptional beans, is something the company is dedicated to emulating as it enters the cannabis market.

From the CLR Roasters plantations in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, to the company’s state-of-the-art 40,000-square-foot roasting, grinding, packaging facility and headquarters in Miami,  Youngevity has mapped out a field-to-cup coffee bean road show that has met unparalleled success. With an abundance of cultural overlap among the company’s highest priority consumer segments and a solid reputation with nutraceutical and healthy lifestyle consumers, YGYI is leveraging both its assets and experience as it migrates into functional cannabis foods. Looking at its overall nutritional product assortment, the company seems to understand the importance of high-quality raw materials as it relates to developing brand loyalty among these highly sought-after demos.

Direct Selling Prowess Key to Future

Youngevity has established an enviable presence in the North American direct selling market, with a sizeable chunk of a growing $37.8 billion empire that is staffed by an army of some 18.6 million direct selling representatives. Innovations such as the company’s YoungevityGo2 app, which empower distributors with a considerable promotional and management engine that fits in their pocket, has helped the company secure a formidable legion of dedicated direct sellers.

With such a robust direct selling model that spills over into e-commerce and social selling, it should come as no surprise that Youngevity’s CEO Steve Wallach was recently appointed to the board of directors at the 200-plus member Direct Selling Association. The merger of direct selling and cannabis could be a showstopper, and many investors are looking to YGYI to be where the rubber meets the road.

Cannabinoids Potential

The nutraceutical and cosmeceutical potential of cannabinoids is reinforced by the rapidly developing clinical and preclinical pipelines of a wide variety of companies that are looking to commercialize indications targeting everything from sleeplessness and anxiety to epilepsy and cancer.

INSYS Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:INSY) is currently working on testing the company’s oral CBD solution in the treatment of neurocognition and neuroimmune response, as well as eating behavior and other symptoms. Such work in early psychosis adds considerable weight to the studies announced earlier this year, which are using CBD to treat the symptoms of severe childhood autism. INSYS is also continuing to support ongoing efforts to study CBD as a treatment for cocaine dependency.

AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) will always have the record of being first out of the gate with an FDA-approved, cannabis-based drug targeting nausea and lack of appetite among chemotherapy and AIDS patients. The company continues to be a contender in the space, due to the abundance of in-house expertise and facilities, where the company is forging a new path to the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZYNE) made a strong case at the 16th annual International Fragile X Conference for the use of transdermal CBD gel. Its compelling and statistically significant data could be a winner for the company and could come to represent a frontline approach for alleviating the common observable behaviors Fragile X syndrome presents among children and adolescents.

Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CARA) has evaluated CR701 in animal model studies where it showed a significant reversal of enhanced pain response (hyperalgesia) and the kind of predisposition to increased pain sensitization and neuronal response to pain (allodynia) experienced among fibromyalgia patients. CARA has a considerable depth of knowledge in kappa opioid receptor science when it comes to treating chronic and acute pain, as well as disease-related itching, with indications like CR845/difelikefalin and KORSUVA, now both in Phase 3 clinical trials.

Until now, recreational consumer markets such as nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals have always been realities perceived only by the cannabis industry’s over-the-horizon radar. But the potential for broad-spectrum biopharma indications that could help combat many incurable or under-served maladies could be an even greater development than the seemingly inevitable rise of every day cannabis-infused foods and beverages.

For more information about Youngevity International, please visit Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI).

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

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For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com and or https://CannabisNewsWire.News

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DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. FN Media Group (FNM) is a third-party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated with CNW or any company mentioned herein. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW and are not shared by and do not reflect in any manner the views or opinions of FNM. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW and FNM for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW and FNM and their respective affiliated companies are a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, FNM, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW & FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements.  The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW and FNM undertake no obligation to update such statements.

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SAN DIEGO, Oct. 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — YGYI, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI), a leading omni-direct lifestyle company, announces that its hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) Hemp FX products are now available for purchase online at the fully transactional website https://www.hempfx.com/.

For 21 years, Youngevity has been committed to developing the highest-quality nutritional products, which are backed by extensive research. In keeping with this philosophy, Hemp FX products combine an exclusive source of organically grown, hemp-derived cannabinoids with Youngevity’s signature nutrients.

Currently available for purchase on the website are three proprietary formulas featuring Youngevity’s hemp-derived, Phyto cannabinoid-rich, full-spectrum, organically grown CBD oil:

• Soothe, a product designed to promote muscle restoration and relief. Soothe features the finest blend of antioxidant-rich botanicals to help alleviate aches and pains and support a healthy immune response. Our unique formula includes hemp-derived cannabinoid oil, plant-derived minerals, essential oil, the powerful antioxidant glutathione, and a variety of herbs and minerals.
• Uplift, which is designed to naturally boost both mood and cognitive performance. This product features our hemp-derived cannabinoid oil combined with St. John’s Wort and a specialized set of terpenes and cannabinoid enhancers.
• Relax, which is a special formula designed to promote relaxation and aid in achieving restful sleep. Relax combines our hemp-derived CBD oil with melatonin and the naturally relaxing herbs chamomile, lavender and valerian.

“Hemp FX is an ideal representation of our plant-based approach to product development. These select products are being offered in this initial launch, and we expect the Hemp FX line will continue to grow, with more products becoming available in the near future,” says Youngevity Chief Executive Officer Steve Wallach. “As such, we’re extremely excited to announce that these products can now be purchased easily and conveniently online.”

To learn more about Youngevity’s Hemp FX products, please visit www.hempfx.com.

About Youngevity International, Inc.  
YGYI, Inc. (NASDAQ:YGYI), is a leading omni-direct lifestyle company offering a hybrid of the direct selling business model, that also offers e-commerce and the power of social selling. Assembling a virtual Main Street of products and services under one corporate entity, YGYI offers products from the eight top selling retail categories: health/nutrition, home/family, food/beverage (including coffee), spa/beauty, fashion, essential oils, photo, as well as innovative services. The Company was formed in the course of the summer 2011 merger of Youngevity Essential Life Sciences with Javalution® Coffee Company (now part of the company’s food and beverage division). The resulting company became Youngevity International, Inc. in July 2013. For investor information, please visit YGYI.com. Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions, and includes statements regarding the expected growth of the Hemp FX line. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, our ability to expand the Hemp FX line and introduce additional products, our ability to continue our international growth, our ability to leverage our platform and global infrastructure to drive organic growth, our ability  to improve our profitability, expand our liquidity, and strengthen our balance sheet, our ability to continue to maintain compliance with the NASDAQ requirements, the acceptance of the omni-direct approach by our customers, our ability to expand our distribution, our ability to add additional products (whether developed internally or through acquisitions), our ability to continue our financial performance, and the other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and our subsequent filings with the SEC, including subsequent periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contacts:

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800.504.8650
investors@ygyi.com

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SOURCE Youngevity