Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. announced the signing of a definitive agreement with TruTrace Technologies, Inc. (CSE: TTT) (“TruTrace”), developer of a fully-integrated blockchain platform for the legal cannabis, food and pharmaceutical industries, to approach the cannabis industry with an integrated solution comprised of Applied DNA's CertainT® platform and TruTrace's StrainSecure™ platform to deliver a complete cannabis product validation and authentication platform differentiated in the marketplace by linking together the power of proprietary SaaS platforms, blockchain and molecular tagging technology to create a secure ecosystem which provides end-to-end traceability and full transparency. The companies have entered into a Strategic Alliance, Referral and Technology Integration Agreement (the “Agreement”) that allows each company to introduce the other into existing accounts, prospects, as well as cultivate new joint opportunities. The Agreement also calls out the integration of the companies' respective platforms through APIs to exchange data elements as part of the complete chain of custody solution from source materials to product on the shelf.

There is a mutual payment structure in place as engagements are brought online. TruTrace's blockchain-based SaaS software is designed to guarantee product quality and strain genetics throughout global supply chains. Protecting consumers and brands from contaminants and counterfeiting is a key benefit of the platform under development.

Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada's large retail pharmacy chain, currently uses TruTrace's platform as its underpinning technology infrastructure for traceability and accountability associated with its medical cannabis program. Applied DNA's CertainT platform provides the physical tagging of cannabis products using a unique molecular tag to represent the brand and product. That tag is then tested at key nodes within a domestic or international supply chain.

All of this authentication and chain-of-custody data is captured in the CertainT portal, which under the Agreement will be integrated with the TruTrace platform. The molecular tag can be applied to cannabis plants, oils, lotions, tablets, edibles and packaging to serve as an immutable indicator of authenticity, origin, and provenance.