Debra Borchardt
SOL Global Investments Corp. (CSE: SOL) (OTCQB: SOLCF) is forming a new international hemp-focused subsidiary, Heavenly Rx Ltd. Its initial focus will be on hemp cultivation, processing and the manufacturing of a diverse range of traditional CBD products including oils, tinctures, balms, and vape-ready products. The company said it plans on holding a controlling ownership interest in various industry-leading assets in the hemp/CBD and THC-free cannabinoid wellness space.
One of the first strategic assets will be its investment in Knoxville, Tennessee-based Blühen Botanicals LLC. Heavenly Rx is investing $30.6 million in Blühen, which will allow Blühen to expand its research and engineering teams as well as focus on the development and expansion of its retail operations. According to the statement, Blühen is an industry leading and technologically advanced hemp biomass processing and extraction company that will be GMP and EUGMP certified with farming and distribution partners across the southeastern United States.
Blühen also produces its own proprietary blend of wellness boutique products such as full spectrum hemp extract tinctures, capsules, creams, 100% THC-free hemp isolate, pet treats, pet care products, and oils. Blühen employs expert entomologists, plant pathologists, agronomists, chemists, and engineers on the 30-person team. Blühen intends to open its flagship retail location in Knoxville, Tennessee in May 2019 and plans to open a second retail location in Fort Lauderdale, Florida later this year.
“Heavenly Rx directly supports SOL Global’s continued hemp and CBD strategy in the U.S. and international markets and will serve as a critical launch pad for our hemp-related investment initiatives as hemp and related cannabinoid regulations continue to become more liberalized around the world,” said Brady Cobb, CEO of SOL Global. “SOL Global’s executive team has been at the very forefront of regulatory reform both in the United States and internationally, and we couldn’t be more excited to continue to build upon and execute our already robust long-term strategy for the global hemp/CBD industry.”
Additionally, Heavenly Rx intends to include several proprietary brands across numerous consumer product group verticals such as cosmetics and beauty products, bath and body products, infused foods (subject to governmental approvals and/or compliance) and a number of pet-related products.
“We are launching Heavenly Rx with the aim of acquiring a portfolio of battle-tested and proven hemp/CBD companies while also acquiring certain unique brands for which we believe CBD and hemp-infused products could drastically change their growth,” added SOL’s chief investment officer Andy DeFrancesco. “We are more bullish than ever about the future of the hemp and CBD industries globally, and Heavenly Rx will without a doubt be the vertically integrated leader in the space.”
Terms
The binding terms of the LOI are as follows:
- Heavenly Rx will acquire 50.1% of the membership interests of Blühen.
- The Board of Directors of Blühen will consist of seven (7) individuals, three (3) of which will be nominated by Heavenly Rx, three (3) of which will be nominated by Blühen, and one (1) of which shall be an independent director to be mutually agreed upon.
- Joe Fox, co-founder, and CEO of Blühen Botanicals, will become a member of the executive team of Heavenly Rx.
“Heavenly Rx’s investment enables us to exponentially scale our existing high-throughput capabilities while maintaining our commitment to providing the highest quality, pharmaceutical grade products on the market,” added Fox. “We have the largest network of expert farmers in the state of Tennessee who are growing hemp organically, and now, we’re empowered to scale our existing facilities faster, expand our farming network wider, and implement the highest international regulatory standards across the board.”
