First of its kind partnership ensures treating physicians and healthcare providers receive accurate and reliable clinical news information on the treatment of various conditions with medicinal cannabis

LANCASTER, Pa. and SEATTLE, Jan. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skipta, the leading social network of specialized online medical communities for verified healthcare professionals including Oncology Nation, Psychiatrist Connect and Doctor Unite, and part of Informa Pharma Intelligence, announced today its partnership with new media company The Fresh Toast to provide trusted, reliable information on cannabinoid medicine.  In a first for the cannabis industry, this partnership will provide guidelines and research information for the potential medicinal uses of cannabis to alleviate symptoms from identified diseases and illness.  The Fresh Toast will serve as an exclusive media partner for news and information on cannabinoid medicine as authored by Skipta or its members.

The Fresh Toast, a daily lifestyle and entertainment site with a side of cannabis, launched in October 2016 and is the first cannabis site that has mainstream appeal.  They have grown quickly in the market outpacing most competitors and have seen 25 percent return daily traffic and, unlike other cannabis sites, have a high female readership with a 43/57 female/male mix.  The Fresh Toast is expanding its North American syndication newspaper and magazine relationships, including the NY Daily News, Men’s Health and Salon. 

Currently 29 states, including Florida, North Dakota, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Arkansas, Arizona and the District of Columbia, allow medical cannabis¹.  In 2016, cannabis was a $7.1 billion industry with over 100,000 people employed in the United States.  Studies show an estimated 42,000,000 annual U.S. consumers.  According to the New England Journal of Medicine, 76 percent of doctors are in favor of the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.

"As we see growing acceptance of cannabis in the U.S., especially for medical use, it is important for reliable health organizations and reputable media to take leadership in providing the public with scientifically sound information,” stated Regina Benjamin, former United States attorney general.

A key section of The Fresh Toast is the Rx overseen by Tom Green, MD.  As the first site with a continuum of care, the site’s goal is providing knowledge in an understandable and familiar format allowing patients and caregivers to learn about the diseases that could benefit from the use of cannabinoid medicine and its potential treatment options.  The site is investing in expanding health coverage and sharing patient stories to give a full picture of the pluses and minuses.  The Fresh Toast views medical marijuana as something similar to aspirin to help people with symptoms of disease to be helped rather than a silver bullet that can cure an illness.

"There's certainly demand for high quality and trustworthy cannabis information. People want to get it from a publisher they trust," said Christian Hendricks, a board member of The Fresh Toast and well-known media executive.

“The partnership between The Fresh Toast and Skipta can be a transformational step forward for medical cannabis.  The Fresh Toast is one of the leading voices on all things cannabis and by forging a relationship with a massive network of healthcare professionals it will increase information, knowledge, and access to knowledge for those at the forefront of the medical cannabis conversation.  Relationships like this one help fill a government-driven, gaping void in our understanding of medical cannabis and the realities of its practice in American society,” said John Hudak, Ph.D., senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution and author of Marijuana: A Short History.

“We are proud to work with the Skipta team of medical professionals,” said JJ McKay, founder/publisher of The Fresh Toast.  “With 40 percent of our readership coming from red states, I believe we offer a vehicle to reach the general public.  With proper use, cannabinoid medicine can help tens of millions of people when used correctly.  With national leaders like Sanjay Gupta and Senator Orrin Hatch endorsing medical cannabis, we are honored to work with Skipta to help improve people’s lives.”

Skipta Founder and CEO, Dr. Theodore Search, Pharm.D., stated, “This exciting partnership with The Fresh Toast offers us the unique vehicle to distribute reliable, trusted information on a potential treatment option likely to become revolutionary in improving patient outcomes across a variety of therapeutic areas.  With clinicaltrials.gov currently citing more than 700 studies regarding the use of cannabinoid medicine across various phases of the clinical process, there is much information out there for the public to stay apprised of—we are proud to lighten that burden by bringing the latest news and information to the public from a trusted source.”

About The Fresh Toast
The Fresh Toast is a daily lifestyle/entertainment platform with a side of cannabis.   Launched in New York City in fall 2016, The Fresh Toast has quickly become one of the leading digital information sites for the industry.  Aimed at bringing the cannabis conversation to the mainstream, content includes pop culture, gossip, beverage and hot messes along with cannabis.   With their partners, The Fresh Toast is positioned to be the most trusted voice in cannabis.

About Skipta
Skipta is the leading social network of specialized online medical communities for verified healthcare professionals.  Skipta’s growing network of more than 30 specialized online medical communities enables healthcare professionals to communicate, consult and exchange information within private and secure platforms per physician specialty, healthcare profession or disease state.  Skipta supports the medical advancement of its members by offering a range of collaborative peer based services that aid quality of care and contribute to improved patient outcomes.  Skipta’s network provides trusted forums and a range of tools for the life sciences industry to engage with healthcare professionals. For more information, please visit skipta.com.

About Pharma Intelligence
Pharma Intelligence powers a full suite of analysis products including Datamonitor Healthcare, Sitetrove, Trialtrove, Pharmaprojects, Medtrack, Biomedtracker, Scrip, Pink Sheet and In Vivo, to deliver the data needed by the pharmaceutical and biomedical industry to make decisions and create real-world opportunities for growth.

With more than 500 analysts keeping their fingers on the pulse of the industry, no key disease, clinical trial, drug approval or R&D project isn’t covered through the breadth and depth of data available to customers.   

Pharma Intelligence is part of the Business Intelligence Division of Informa, a Division that provides insight into six core verticals - Pharma & Healthcare; Agribusiness; Finance; Telecoms, Media & Technology; Transportation; Infrastructure.

For more information visit pharmaintelligence.informa.com.

Skipta Media Contact:                                             
Elizabeth Hefner                                                        
Vice President of Marketing                                      
(508) 577-5348                                                          
elizabeth.hefner@skipta.com 

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1} http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx