On January 14, 2019 Chemesis International (CSI.C) announced the launch of its cannabis beverage division in Puerto Rico (pop. 3.35 million) through Natural Ventures – an 80% owned subsidiary.
Natural Ventures is a Puerto Rico based medical cannabis company, with 100,000 ft2 of cultivation and 35,000 ft2 of manufacturing and extraction facilities. The company is currently delivering product to about 90% of the dispensaries in Puerto Rico.
“The initial launch of these all-natural ingredient products will include an energy shot, a sleep shot, and a calming shot,” stated CSI – underlining the freakish versatility of cannabis plant.
CSI has 4 main branches of operation:
Cultivation: grow facility in Puerto Rico with 30,000+ lb overall grow capacity. Grow opportunities currently under review in California.
Manufacturing: extractions, formulations & products, specializing in BHO, Alcohol & CO2 extraction with the current capacity of over 2000 lbs of raw material a day.
Distribution: with new regulations impacting the California market, CSI aims to be a fully compliant distributor. In Puerto Rico market, CSI serves the entire island from seed to sale.
Retail: Actively engaging retail storefronts in the California market while working to open branded shops in multiple marketplaces.
Recreational cannabis is currently illegal in Puerto Rico – but medical marijuana is an approved treatment for Alzheimer’s, cancer, Parkinson’s, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy and more.
Bonus Trivia: Puerto Rico tropical rainforests are unique because they have no snakes. Puerto Ricans pay no income tax. The territory is most famous for the “Three Rs”: Ricky Martin, Recession, and Rum.
On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, killing 3,000 people in Puerto Rico and wiping out most of the island’s medical marijuana crops.
“Medical cannabis companies in Puerto Rico suffered millions of dollars in damage in leveled greenhouses, lost business and rebuilding costs.” stated mjbizdaily, “Businesses had to start their crop from scratch and rebuild destroyed facilities.
The island is slowly getting its mojo back. Puerto Rico now has more than 55 dispensaries. About 45,000 patients have signed up for the medical marijuana program, up from 13,000 last year.
Th initial roll-out is happening this week in select dispensaries, while CSI anticipates the cannabis beverages to be available in all dispensaries in the next month.
“The Café Energy Shot is a special blend of the best Puerto Rican Coffee beans and locally sourced honey,” stated Chemesis CEO Edgar Montero, “We are creating an all-natural alternative for consumers who require energy throughout the day.”
CSI’s proprietary manufacturing process retains the “therapeutic value of cannabis and the renowned taste of Puerto Rico’s finest coffee beans.”
Puerto Rico’s health department just revamped its website to remove friction for patients seeking access to cannabis products. CSI plans to continue expanding its footprint and product lines on the island.
“Chemesis’ oils contain no fillers and no additives,” wrote Equity Guru’s Chris Parry, “which means they’re ahead of most of the California market in terms of purity and quality.”
“If you want your weed extracted into an oil product in California,” continued Parry, “You can either buy the equipment and the real estate it’s hosted in…or you can just ask Chemesis to white label it for you…and turn it out through their existing sales network.”
CSI’s branded products have attracted an endorsement/collaboration with filmmaker Kevin Smith and “Silent Bob”.
This is like getting your gold clubs endorsed by Rory McIlroy.
Chris Parry considers Kevin Smith “One of the top three best endorsement targets (for a cannabis company) in the world today.”
Smith has a monster following of pot-heads.
“@jayandsilentbob used to sell weed in the movies,” wrote Mr. Smith in recent Instagram post, “Now, thanks to the good folks at @chemesis.tv , Jay and Silent Bob are selling weed in real life! This January Jay and Silent Bob’s Private Stash debuts in every weed-legal state. Look at the gorgeous artwork! We start with pre-rolls, 5 packs and jars of flower, but next up? Oils and Pet CBD’s!”
Puerto Rico – as a market – may not quicken the pulse of the retail investor community, but it’s a very good place for CSI to sharpen its chops – and get ready to conquer the rest of the world.
Chemesis has recently signed a binding agreement to acquire 100% Colombia based La Finca, which includes 1,000 acres of outdoor cultivation, seed strain partnership with The Universidad Nacional de Colombia and relationships with over 2,000 farming families across Colombia
“These three new beverage products will tailor to a large community of Puerto Rican consumers,” stated Montero, “there are many new products that we will develop and make available to consumers on the island.”
CIS is trading at $1.38 with a market cap of $89 million.
Full Disclosure: Chemesis is an Equity Guru marketing client, and we own the stock.