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How Dan Bilzerian’s Ignite Cannabis is Dealing with Canada’s Cannabis Act and Health Canada

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This month Dan Bilzerian’s Ignite International will take over Canada. Ignite’s team has worked hard to comply with restrictions implemented by Canada’s Cannabis Act and Health Canada.

Despite the obstacles, Ignite is accomplishing goals to ensure the trust of customers globally. Being a horizontally integrated company, Ignite has solidified partnerships with exceptional growers and manufacturers in Canada. Dan Bilzerian and his team want the best, and their search to obtain and maintain quality and dosage are not finished.

Ignite’s Global Head of Cannabis, Gene Bernaudo, discussed some of the challenges the brand has faced and how they are overcoming each, to show how consistent Ignite is in all aspects of the business.

Q: What was the process and timeline for CX Industries to sign the exclusive agreement with Ignite International Brands to supply premium cannabis & CBD products?

Bernaudo: As some may have heard, we are no longer doing business with CX Industries. I can’t really discuss the circumstances of the split. What I can tell you is, we have since partnered with CannMart a leading processor and distributor of cannabis in Canada. This was very strategic in nature. One of the reason we chose CannMart as a partner is because they do not have a grow. I bet you a bunch readers are scratching their heads right now. Yes, you read that right, we did not want to partner with a large commercial Licensed Producer, producing the same mediocre product as everyone else in the industry. A partnership with CannMart solidified processing and distribution channels which allowed my team and I to focus on sourcing product from craft growers who are producing small batch, high-end cannabis. With this strategy we were able to move very quickly. We finalized our partnership with CannMart in Dec 2019 and are launching Canada with 10 skus on March 13, 2020. We chose to start with the infamous BC market and scale our way across Canada.

Q: Canada’s ad industry has strict laws against celebrity endorsements for pot products. Did this play a factor in the naming of the company? Has Dan Bilzerian had to make any sacrifices to get Ignite into Canada?

Bernaudo: Dan is the CEO of Ignite International Brands, Ltd. This allows us some leeway in how he can speak about the products. I would say our approach is similar to the approach Bruce Linton took back in the early days when he was out doing roadshows and promoting Tweed. As far as sacrifices go, I wouldn’t call them sacrifices I would call them strategic adjustments. We have had to adjust the type of content we post and ensure we are compliant in all markets we do business in. To me this is a great sign, it means we continue to grow as a global brand and evolve as a business. At the end of the day, we are a cannabis company but we are also an International FMCG company (Fast moving Consumer Goods) which means we have to be able to pivot and adjust strategies based on regulations in jurisdictions we are doing business in. When you have one of the best marketing teams in the world backed by a social media genius it’s easier to get the job done.

Q: Ignite has plenty of celebrity endorsements posts on social platforms such as Nikita Dragun, Cardi B, and Jake Paul. Is this the most effective marketing strategy for Ignite? If so, how has Canada’s Cannabis Act been an issue? 

Bernaudo: The celebrity endorsements you are referring to are not for our cannabis products. Most, if not all of your references endorse our CBD line and in the U.S. there is no rule against that. It’s a pretty level playing field up here, the only real issue the Cannabis Act has imposed on us is we cannot use our iconic Goat Head logo as it depicts an animal or fictional character and can be deemed to appeal to children. Rules are rules and we have been happy to abide by them.

Q: Dan Bilzerian highlighted having one proprietary device that holds THC, CBD, and Nicotine all in one so, he decided to attack the Juul market. How will this translate in Canada, knowing they have a temporary halt on the production of flavored e-cigarette pods? 

Bernaudo: Great question, the vape market in Canada from a nicotine perspective has been a disaster from the start. I 100% agree with Health Canada’s stance here. Nicotine use amongst young people is the highest it’s ever been and its largely due to flavored e-liquid in all its forms. I don’t agree with a ban, but what I can tell you is Health Canada is consistent in how they regulate. Similar regulations will apply to nicotine. E-liquid flavors and or packaging/logos cannot “evoke a positive or negative emotion or ‘way of life’ such as one that includes glamour, recreation, excitement, vitality, risk or daring.” We do have a nicotine strategy for Canada, its largely based on waiting for regulations to be implemented, waiting for trade to open up again in China (due to Coronavirus) and of course, for the ban to be lifted. We have made major headway with the device in question and it will most likely be introduced first in Canada with THC and CBD pods as regulations permit its use.

Q: Dan Bilzerian markets Ignite Cannabis as an active lifestyle to sway from the original stigma of laziness. Canada’s Cannabis Act prohibits pot companies to “evoke a positive or negative emotion or ‘way of life’ such as one that includes glamour, recreation, excitement, vitality, risk or daring.”  Luckily, Ignite is still able to conduct this kind of promotion in the US. Do you believe this was a loophole that helped the brand’s message reach Canadians?

Bernaudo: I think having a social reach of 43 million followers definitely helps get our message out there in any form we want to deliver it. I wouldn’t call it a loophole as we are not using it as such. We are an International company and post content and product placement ads on social channels conforming to regulatory requirements where the particular product we are advertising is being sold.

Q: What other obstacles have Ignite faced in expanding into Canada? 

Bernaudo: The only obstacle we have faced in Canada is product procurement. The biggest challenge has been securing products out here that meet our team, including Dan’s, criteria. We are happy to recently have forged some solid partnerships with amazing craft growers that will ensure we are able to distribute quality, consistent cannabis products across Canada. All the retailers and Provincial boards have been very supportive, and we look forward to working closely with them to bring our products to consumers.

Q: What are Ignite’s launch plans for this week in Canada? Will Dan Bilzerian be in attendance? 

Bernaudo: Our BC launch event will be held this Friday, March 13th, at Bar None in Downtown Vancouver. Dan will be on the ground the day prior to meet with partners and industry leaders as we continue to grow relationships north of the border. He will also attend the launch event alongside hundreds of partygoers eager to celebrate Ignite’s Canadian Launch.

Jenny is one of the oldest contributors of Bigtime Daily with a unique perspective of the world events. She aims to empower the readers with delivery of apt factual analysis of various news pieces from around the World.

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World

Swiss International University Alerts Public About Fake Institutions Misusing Its Name

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates— Swiss International University (SIU) has issued a caveat about fraudulent institutions setting up their pretense of affiliation with the university. SIU has further clarified that it will have campuses only in 7 cities by 2025, while any further expansions or new openings of offices will be officially notified on its website, swissuniversity.com.

A hallmark of SIU has been the highest quality in global higher education, and the fraudsters took advantage of it by pretending to be the university. These scammers lure prospective students and partners with promises of guaranteed admissions, scholarships, or preferential treatment in exchange for exorbitant fees for services that are either shoddy or nonexistent. 

In an official statement, the SIU emphasized that they do not authorize any third party or individual to represent the university outside any of the established campuses. Any further developments about expansion and new office openings shall be made known directly through the official website of the institution or via official press releases. 

An SIU spokesperson stated, “Swiss International University stands for high-quality education, and we therefore take our brand integrity very seriously. We urge anyone approached by an entity claiming to represent SIU to verify the information on our official site. The increasing number of imposters is a matter of grave concern, and we are therefore actively working to stop them from taking further advantage.”

Among the scams in the UAE and several European countries, impostors offer guarantees that cannot be verified. In return, large sums of money are demanded for nonexistent or shoddy services.

The prestigious Swiss International University is known for its stringent academic programs and degrees recognized internationally, possessing campuses with modern facilities that stand as a testament to Swiss quality education. Their latest alert is directed at saving the prospective students from fraudulent establishments and assuring the students are dealing only with the authentic SIU.

To safeguard its good name and maintain transparency, the SIU now warns the public against dealing with any education agencies or representatives claiming to render SIU services to them without a clear confirmation of their official status. The university also issued a reminder that all admissions must be channeled through SIU alone, and a list of accredited SIU campuses in selected big cities across the globe can be obtained from its website.

As of now, the Swiss International University has campuses in seven cities: Dubai, Zurich, Bishkek, London, Riga, Lucerne, and Osh. These cities have been carefully picked to provide students with rich academic learning experiences and encourage international collaboration. In addition, SIU also assures that any announcement of a new office or campus branch would be made only through their official website, and it advises all students and stakeholders to confirm the veracity of such claims before disbursing any monies.

For more information on Swiss International University and its programs, visit the website.

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