Namaste Announces CannMart Success with IGNITE International Exclusivity Agreement and Listing of Cannabis 2.0 Products in Al...

~Continued brand and sales channel expansion for CannMart supports value proposition, new product launches, and revenue growth~

TORONTO, June 22, 2020 /CNW/ - Namaste Technologies Inc. ("Namaste" or the "Company") (TSXV: N) (FRANKFURT: M5BQ) (OTCMKTS: NXTTF), a leading platform for cannabis products, accessories, and education, today announced CannMart Inc. ("CannMart"), a wholly owned subsidiary, has been granted an exclusive license by IGNITE International Brands, Ltd. ("IGNITE") (CSE: BILZ) (OTCQX: BILZF) to utilize certain brand trademarks on cannabis-based products for sale in the legal Canadian marketplace. In addition, CannMart has received approval from Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis ("AGLC") and the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation operating as the Ontario Cannabis Store ("OCS") to begin offering Cannabis 2.0 products.

"Our agreement to become the exclusive distributor of IGNITE products in Canada is an important milestone for the company and positively reflects on our value proposition," said Meni Morim, CEO of Namaste Technologies. "CannMart continues to demonstrate its ability to grow its sales distribution channels in the Canadian market and this is attracting the attention of well-established brands like IGNITE. We place a high value on our relationships with these brands as it is our belief that brand recognition will be a major driver of growth as the legal industry matures and transitions to consumer-packaged goods. The opportunity for CannMart to be the exclusive distributor for IGNITE in Canada reinforces our position in the competitive cannabis market as consumers gravitate towards brands that are well known and trusted for their quality."

"The listing of Cannabis 2.0 products for the provinces of Ontario and Alberta is an important achievement and opens meaningful additional revenue channels. The Cannabis 2.0 market is a large addressable market and the approval to list our products in Alberta and Ontario, with more than 450 and 90 cannabis stores respectively, represents a substantial increase in the addressable market for CannMart. We expect to continue our recent sales success of cannabis products from premium brands, like IGNITE, through CannMart.com and throughout our network of government partners and retailers."

"Canada is an important market for IGNITE International Brands and CannMart has shown its ability to deliver high quality products to our target market," said Lester Lee, President of IGNITE. "The awareness of the IGNITE brand continues to build throughout Canada and our product sales continue to grow. The team at CannMart has been instrumental and has proven their competency to navigate the regulations within the legal market. We trust that our brand can be nurtured in accordance with our high standards and together we can continue to build on our early success as we look to grow market share."

Further to the news release of March 20, 2020, CannMart and IGNITE have amended the licensing agreement to add exclusivity to the markets in Canada. The revised agreement grants CannMart an exclusive licence to use certain IGNITE brand trademarks on legal cannabis-based products (the "IGNITE Products") in consideration for certain royalty payments. CannMart's introduction of IGNITE cannabis products has been welcomed by its customers and demand has continued to grow.

CannMart's listing of its first Cannabis 2.0 products in the provinces of Alberta and Ontario are now approved by both jurisdictions. CannMart's first offering will be a variety of vape cartridges. The AGLC is responsible for regulating and distributing cannabis to Alberta's licensed retailers and the sole legal online retailer for recreational cannabis at www.albertacannabis.org. The OCS is the sole legal online retailer and wholesaler for recreational cannabis for Canada's most populous province.

About Ignite International Brands Ltd.
IGNITE is a global consumer brand, operating in the premium product segment of the market. Founded by Dan Bilzerian, IGNITEs 'quality-first' approach is fundamental to the brand and its products. Originally operating in the cannabis and hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) wellness space, IGNITE was able to establish its brand awareness. IGNITE product categories now include a full line of CBD oil tinctures, CBD topicals, CBD pet products and CBD vape devices, produced by various partners and sold through select distributors, brick and mortar retailers, and online through IGNITE's website, ignite.co. The IGNITE THC product line, which was launched subsequent to the CBD product line, incorporates quality, locally sourced, cannabis products.  

Since the launching of its THC and CBD products, IGNITE has expanded into the beverage space, launching a full line of functional performance enhancing drinks. The IGNITE beverage line currently consists of PH-alkaline balanced water, a line of premium performance drinks, named Z-RO as well as a gluten-free, seven-time distilled Vodka. IGNITE beverages will be distributed nationally within the United States and available to purchase on the IGNITE beverages website, IgniteBeverages.co.  

IGNITE is a socially responsible company and is committed to using its marketing and brand power as a positive catalyst for a healthy lifestyle. The IGNITE management team believes that socially responsible oriented actions have a positive impact on IGNITE, its employees and its shareholders.  

Shares of IGNITE are listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol "BILZ" and in the United States on the OTCQX under the symbol "BILZF".  

About Namaste Technologies Inc.

With headquarters in Toronto, ON, and offices in both B.C. and around the globe, Namaste Technologies is a leading online platform for cannabis products, accessories, and responsible education. The company's 'everything cannabis store', CannMart.com, provides customers with a diverse selection of hand-picked products from a multitude of federally-licensed cultivators, all on one convenient site. Namaste's global technology and continuous innovation address local needs in a burgeoning cannabis industry requiring smart solutions.

Information on the Company and its many products can be accessed through the links below:

NamasteTechnologies.com
NamasteMD.com 
Cannmart.com 
NamasteVapes.ca 
Everyonedoesit.ca

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION – This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not historical in nature contain forward-looking information. Forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "expect", "likely", "should", "would", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "proposed", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" happen. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this press release and is based on assumptions management believed to be reasonable at the time such statements were made, including management's perceptions of Namaste's standing in the online marketplace for cannabis products and its ability to increase revenue in the Canadian marketplace through the sale of recognized, high quality and premium brands, the size and importance of the Cannabis 2.0 market as a revenue generator for CannMart, and the Company as a whole, the importance of being licensed to sell products throughout the Company's network of government partners and retailers management's perceptions of IGNITE and its standing in the cannabis industry, the expectation by management that IGNITE's brand awareness among Namaste's existing and new customer base will driver sales, future growth, results of operations, operational matters, historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. While we consider these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to management, there is no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature, forward-looking information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this press release. Such factors include, without limitation: risks relating to the Company's ability to execute its business strategy and the benefits realizable therefrom, the Company's inability to achieve anticipated sales results through its exclusive relationship with IGNITE, the failure of the Cannabis 2.0 market to develop as anticipated, consumer reception to premium brands and recognition of trademarks being lesser than expected, risks related to the Cannabis industry in general, and risks relating to the market price of Namaste common shares. Additional risk factors can also be found in the Company's current MD&A which has been filed under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release or has in any way approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/namaste-announces-cannmart-success-with-ignite-international-exclusivity-agreement-and-listing-of-cannabis-2-0-products-in-alberta-and-ontario-301080754.html

SOURCE Namaste Technologies Inc.

Copyright 2020 Canada NewsWire