April 3rd, 2017, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)  (“Ashburton” or the "Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Harvey, Founder and CEO of BC Bud Depot (“BCBD”) to the Advisory Board for Research and Development of Ashburton’s Zeolite, under development with ZMM Canada Minerals Corp., as an additive and growth medium for medical and recreational marijuana.

Mr. Harvey has been a strain breeder in the cannabis industry since the 1990's with worldwide exposure since 2004. During Mr. Harvey’s tenure at BCBD, a cannabis seed producer and creator of award-winning THC and CBD strains, BCBD has received over 23 Cannabis Cup awards, including nine international First Place awards. BCBD was in 2009 inducted to the Seed Bank Hall of Fame. Mr. Harvey has steered BCBD towards a developmental approach to cannabinoid-focused genetics utilizing laboratory analysis and scientific protocols to augment breeding programs with a focus on proprietary CBD strains.

A three-phase program will test the benefits of growing cannabis in zeolite-enriched soils. Phase one will determine how well the properties of Zeolite reduce and control the bacterial, fungal and insect conditions affecting cannabis. Zeolite’s microporous surface works by disassembling threats at a molecular level.

The second phase will test the capacity of zeolite’s water-retention for recreational growers seeking to maximize success. Zeolite retains and releases, upon plant demand, up to 55% of its weight in water. The third phase of the program will determine zeolite’s capacity to increase end yields of marijuana.

“Growing cannabis is about to become widespread in Canada, so this work with Ashburton Ventures is more important than ever,” said Mr. Harvey. “Growing quality marijuana requires not only top genetics, but the right growth medium for each plant to thrive. We already know that Zeolite in the soil is influential for plant success and makes cultivation much easier. Now we need to measure that. Canadians have extremely high standards when it comes to cannabis, and it’s our role to give them every opportunity to succeed.”

 “Whether you’re a licensed LP or an everyday Canadian growing four plants at home – and that’s coming next year – the goal is to maximize the quality and quantity of yields while simplifying the process.” Continued Mr. Harvey. “This research will be our due diligence to confirm what is already central to the philosophy of some of the most successful organic cannabis cultivators. They wouldn’t dream of potting a plant without the correct amount of Zeolite in the soil. It’s our mission to take zeolite from trade secret to common knowledge, and to make it accessible, so that Canadians at all levels can succeed in their cannabis endeavors.”

“Verification trials of the unique Z-1 zeolite in the BCBD production facilities will confirm the value of zeolite to the cannabis industry in quantitative terms.” stated Ashburton Ventures Inc. President David Gdanski. [

Ashburton Ventures Inc. is a Canadian-based junior exploration company focused on Canadian mineral projects in Quebec and British Columbia, Canada.  If you would like to be added the news release distribution please get in touch with us at [email protected].

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Signed “Michael England”
Michael England, CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Telephone: 1-604-683-3995; Toll Free: 1-888-945-4770; www.ashburtonventures.com

Forward-Looking Statements:

Some of the statements in this news release contain forward-looking information that involves inherent risk and uncertainty affecting the business of Ashburton Ventures Inc. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. 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.