The Canadian medical marijuana group Maricann Group Inc. (CSE:MARI, OTCQB:MRRCF) has unveiled plans to change its name to Wayland Group Corp. and to begin trading under the ticker symbol WAYL starting September 25, 2018.
Wayland is currently undertaking an expansion of its cultivation and support facilities in Canada in a 942,000 sq. ft. (87,515 sq. m) footprint upon full buildout, and will continue to pursue new opportunities in Europe.
Maricann’s renaming to Wayland Group (CSE:WAYL) (FRANKFURT: 75M) (OTCQB:MRRCF) comes as part of its global expansion and the widening of its outreach efforts for both its medical and non-medical cannabis brands.
“The new name reflects the more expansive portfolio that we’ve built and the direction that we’re heading as a global cannabis company,” said CEO Ben Ward.
Soon after, Wayland Group announced it will open its first retail location in Zurich, Switzerland in 2019 – serving the market with high quality cannabis products that contain a maximum THC content of 1 percent. This opportunity comes on the heels of the Company’s strategic acquisition of Haxxon AG in May 2018, granting Wayland the opportunity to leverage Haxxon’s production facilities in Regensdorf, Switzerland, and their production of feminized high CBD cannabis plants.
“Already positioned to be a meaningful leader in this category, a retail footprint in Switzerland grants us the opportunity to bring an elevated standard of product to market in Europe, while also engaging these insights and learnings as we widen our potential retail expansion to Canada,” said Ward. “We’re committed to bringing an elevated shopping experience to the cannabis category, and we’re excited that experience will start in Zurich.”
The retail location will encompass an enhanced experience center where people will be able to sample and test different strains and devices.
On October 4, 2018, Wayland Group announced it had received accreditation for its proprietary education program for pharmacists from the Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy (the CCCEP).
The Company has identified that pharmacists are the most accessible and one of the most trusted health professionals in the Canadian healthcare system which makes them a critical component in the provision of patient care. In cooperation with the Company’s joint venture pharmacy partners, Wayland developed cannabis education programs, including this comprehensive online education platform to raise the standard of care across Canada. These programs will be available to pharmacists in over 2,100 pharmacies, coast to coast.
Wayland believes that there is a national need for education and more importantly practical guidance for medical cannabis therapy, assessment, dosing and monitoring to ensure safe and appropriate use for patients. As many cannabis patients present with comorbidities and take multiple medications, which require appropriate management to help avoid adverse side effects.
The Wayland program incorporates online learning tools including, webinars, educational events and educational resources specifically for pharmacists and clinicians. The Educational Program, which launched on October 1, 2018 – is accredited by the CCCEP for pharmacists on the clinical and practical application of cannabinoid therapy. In addition, it includes practice guides, instructional videos, dosing protocols and patient support materials which can be used by physicians and the full circle of care.
“We’re proud to elevate the standard of care provided to patients through an expert led educational platform that provides pharmacists and physicians the ability to become experts in cannabis and share this with their patients to enhance their quality of life,” said Ward. “We’re taking this platform now to other countries to help medical professionals understand cannabis, so they can speak in plain language to their patients regarding potential benefits.”
Maricann Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, is operating under the Wayland Group name.
Headquartered in Burlington, Ontario and Munich, Germany, Maricann distributes marijuana for medical purposes, offering a variety of oil and flower products.
It has production facilities in Langton, Ontario, where it operates a medicinal cannabis cultivation, extraction and distribution business under a license from the Government of Canada. It also maintains production operations in Dresden, Germany and Regensdorf, Switzerland.
Maricann’s proposed name change to Wayland is subject to the approval of its shareholders who are expected to vote on the proposal at a meeting later this year.
