Tree of Life now on the Jamaica Exchange (and Canada too)

Tree of Knowledge International Now Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange

TORONTO, ON, April 23, 2020 – Tree of Knowledge International Corp. (CSE: TOKI; JSE:TOKI; OTCQB: TOKIF) (the “Company” or “TOK”) is pleased to announce that the Company is now trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange.  TOKI is the first company to be cross-listed between the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) and the Jamaican Stock Exchange (JSE).  

Tree of Knowledge International Corp continues on its growth path as the first international company to be cross-listed on the Jamaica Stock exchange (JSE:TOKI). The Jamaica stock exchange was named by the Bloomberg in January 2019, to be the best performing stock exchange in the world (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-01-18/the-jamaican-stock-exchange-is-the-world-s-best-performing-market).

The listing was recognized by Jamaica’s Minister of Industry and Trade Audley Shaw: “TOKI now provides the bridge between Jamaica and the world for Health and wellness as well as providing members of the Diaspora with the opportunity to invest in Jamaica through this public listing.

“The CSE has been sharing knowledge and ideas with the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a view to providing new opportunities for companies on both exchanges in the capital markets of Jamaica and Canada” stated Rob Cook, Senior VP of Market Development of the Canadian Securities Exchange.  “The cross-listing of growing companies like TOKI on the JSE is one of the opportunities that we contemplated and the CSE congratulates TOKI on taking this step.”

Mrs. Marlene Street Forrest, Managing Director of the JSE, commenting on TOKI’s listing stated, “The listing of Tree of Knowledge International Corp. has come into being due to the hard work we have been doing in Canada. In spite of the challenging times, we are seeing some very positive results and I am encouraging Jamaicans to continue to look to the markets for wealth creation as exciting times are ahead.”

Along with its local partner in Jamaica - Timeless Herbal Care, TOK has already received approval from Health Canada to import specific cannabis strains into Canada which will be used to formulate pain relief products for the Canadian and international markets.  Pursuant to a joint venture between the two companies, these products will be developed in an EU/GMP certified Health Canada licensed facility allowing access to the Canadian Market as well as the coveted European Union market.  Dr. Kevin Rod, Medical Advisor to TOKI board of directors, explained:  "Jamaica has many unique medicinal plants with special characteristics that are relevant to our current global health challenges. Our aim in collaboration with local universities, experts and partners is to bring those unique plant strains to the forefront of research and medicine.”

According to Timeless CEO, Courtney Betty:  “This listing culminates 10 years of vision and leadership. I thank Marlene Street Forrest for building one of the best exchanges in the world, giving members of the diaspora great confidence in investing in Jamaica and helping to build the country”.

About Tree of Knowledge International Corp.

TOK is a public company that delivers pathways to innovative, science-based health and wellness solutions.  The Company is a leader in pain management, spanning from seed to patient.  Built upon an extensive network of scientific and medical research, TOK is an advanced leader in the development, processing, and distribution of focused products and treatments for pain relief. Tree of Knowledge spans the globe with its multidisciplinary pain clinics, research partners, consumer CBD products, and education and advocacy programs – all working in harmony to bring health and wellness to the world, while creating value for shareholders and partners. 

For further information please visit: www.tokicorp.com

Or contact: Tree of Knowledge International Corp.

Michael Caridi, Chairman Tel: +1 (917) 295-1374 Michael@tokicorp.com

Stephen Weir: 416-489-5868 stephen@stephenweir.com

The Alternative Development Programme For Growing Ganja

Maroon farmers listen to Prime MinisterAndrew Holness

Jamaican Prime Minister Announces Medical Marijuana Cultivation programme for Indigenous Maroons

By Stephen Weir

The government of Jamaica is paving the way for Indigenous Maroons to legally cultivate Medical Marijuana within the country’s Maroon communities. Late last week, Prime Minister Andrew Holness told a gathering of Maroon leaders and farmers that in the first quarter of 2019 they would have the legal right to grow ganja.

“We have made a decision to allow for what is called the Alternative Development Programme for growing ganja because it is a real fear that as the medical industry emerges to become more corporatized that Maroons, the original ganjamen will be left out of the gains and the benefits of growing Medical Marijuana. You were the first to sing the praises of Medical Marijuana and (your communities) so well know the curative benefits of Medical Ganja.”

The Government of Jamaica has made a decision that Agriculture will play a leading role in the development of the country and the Maroons.  One of the target areas is creating value products from the many medicinal herbal plants that grow in Jamaica.

According to Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture Audley Shaw, “ Ganja which has been seen to be part of the problems in Jamaica is now part of the solution for the economic and social development of the country. The Accompong Maroons bring a long history of using local Jamaican ganja as a medicine and together we are combing their local strains with international scientific research to develop valued added medical marijuana products for the rest of the world.”

               

“This programme is of significant importance to ensure that small farmers benefit legally from Ganja,” continued the Prime Minister. “The Maroon communities has  a certain discipline, a certain order, and a certain social system that will ensure that the crop is not used in illicit ways. I know that you've actually started a part of the programme but you are now awaiting the government's part of the project to come in. Within the first quarter of this year the Alternative Development Programme for  the small ganja farmers (will be up and running). I give my commitment that it will start.”

Prime Minister Andrew Holness

Shortly after the Prime Minister announced the Alternative Development Programme, one Jamaican Canadian firm promised the Maroon communities support in maximizing their ganja crops.  Timeless Herbal Care (THC) Jamaica Ltd  is one of the first companies to legally grow and harvest medical marijuana in Jamaica; its Jamaican Canadian CEO Courtney Betty is promising to help the Maroons maximize their harvest.  

“ The  Maroon ganja growers know their land and their crops like no other,” said Mr Betty. “What we offering the Maroons is access to our expertise in medical standards of  processing, research & development, and access to export markets.” Mr Betty’s company has assembled a team that includes the best doctors, scientists, researchers and growers to transform Jamaica into the medical marijuana hub for the world (the company has already made shipments to health authorities in Canada).

ABOUT THE MAROONS

The Maroons descended from Africans who escaped from slavery and established free communities in the mountainous interior. To this day, the Maroons are autonomous and separate from Jamaican culture.  The four official Maroon towns still in existence in Jamaica are Accompong Town, Moore Town, Charles Town and Scott's Hall. They hold lands allotted to them by treaty from the British in 1740. These communities still maintain their traditional celebrations and practices, some of which have West African origins.