January 4th, 2018, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)  (“Ashburton” or the "Company”) announces the Company has arranged a non-brokered private placement of up to 10,000,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.09 per Unit for an aggregate gross proceeds of $900,000 (the "Offering").

Each Unit is comprised of one common share (a "Share") and one Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant") of the Company.  Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Share (a “Warrant Share”) at a price of $0.18 per Warrant Share for a 24 month period after the Closing Date. The warrants are subject to an acceleration clause, which states that the issuer will have the right to accelerate the expiry date of the warrants if, at any time after 6 months from closing, the average closing price of the shares is equal to or greater than 30 cents for 10 consecutive trading days. In the event of acceleration, the expiry date will be accelerated to a date that is 30 days after the issuer issues a news release, announcing that it has elected to exercise this acceleration right. The Company intends to rely on the "investment dealer" prospectus exemption, among other prospectus exemptions, with respect to the private placement.  As such, the Issuer confirms that there is no material fact or material change about Ashburton that has not been generally disclosed.

Proceeds will be used towards advancing its Z-1 Zeolite project located in Cache Creek, BC (approximately $700,000) and for general corporate purposes (approximately $150.000).

The financing is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

The Company may, in its sole discretion, pay finders' fees to agents of the Company. 

Ashburton Ventures Inc. is a Canadian-based junior exploration company focused on Canadian mineral projects in Quebec and British Columbia, Canada. 

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

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.

January 2nd, 2018, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)  (“Ashburton” or the "Company”) announces the appointment of Mr. Stephen Harpur, CPA, CGA, to its Board of Directors. Effective immediately. Mr. Harpur will also be appointed President as well as Chief Operating Officer to assist in guiding the Company as it prepares to advance its Z-1 Zeolite project located in Cache Creek, BC.

Stephen Harpur is a Chartered Professional Accountant. After graduating from business school, Steve joined Richardson Greenshields in 1993 and spent the next six years as an investment advisor. Since 1993, Steve has raised equity for many small cap companies, both public and private.

Stephen has extensive experience in project management working for both himself and in a management position with a corporate restructuring and insolvency firm. Past projects include the following:

• Built out a scalable e-commerce platform in the early 2000’s;
• Completed a 30-unit residential construction project as part of a corporate restructuring;
• Supervised multiple capital projects at a large composting and anaerobic digestion plant;
• Designed and built the first industrial plant in Western Canada to de-package expired packaged food while recycling the packaging;
• Oversaw two research projects in collaboration with a respected Canadian university to make and then test a potassium hydroxide fertilizer through crop trials; and,
• Oversaw multiple research projects converting organic wastes into biofuels with co-funding from the National Research Council.

“I look forward to our team advancing the Z-1 Zeolite Project while concurrently developing markets for zeolite. I have personally purchased and used zeolite from the Z-1 on my own farm in the Okanagan and am excited to develop this deposit. I also look forward to evaluating all other properties within Ashburton’s portfolio and determining how to best extract value from these properties for our shareholders.” stated Stephen Harpur.

“We are very pleased to have Mr. Harpur join the team of Ashburton.  His experience in developing and commercializing various technologies and projects and connections to the academic, municipal, and business sectors will prove invaluable as we look to take our Z-1 Zeolite project to the next phase.” stated Mike England, CEO of Ashburton Ventures Inc.

David Gdanski has stepped down as both a Director and as President.  In addition, Timothy Harvey has stepped down as COO. “I would like to thank both Mr. Gdanski and Mr. Harvey for their service and commitment to Ashburton and wish them well in their future endeavours.”

Ashburton Ventures Inc. is a Canadian-based junior exploration company focused on Canadian mineral projects in Quebec and British Columbia, Canada. 

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:

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.

November 3rd, 2017, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)  (“Ashburton” or the "Company”) regrets to announce that due to personal reasons, Matthew Harvey has resigned from the Advisory Board. Ashburton takes this opportunity to thank Mr. Harvey for his contributions while a member of the Advisory Boards and wishes him the best in future endeavors.

Ashburton Ventures Inc. is a Canadian-based junior exploration company focused on Canadian mineral projects in Quebec and British Columbia, Canada. 

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

November 2nd, 2017, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)  (“Ashburton” or the "Company”) is pleased to announce that an access road to the TransCanada Zeolite location, near Kamloops, BC, is now complete.

As announced on October 2nd, 2017, a Notice of Work was accepted and approved by the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources which issued a Mine Number 1620339 and Environmental Permit Number MX-15-165 for road construction and extraction of a one thousand tonne zeolite bulk sample from the TransCanada Zeolite property.

Okanagan Aggregates Ltd., contracted to quarry the bulk sample, has excavating equipment on the property and is currently removing light overburden at the site. The overburden has been removed and quarrying has begun for the bulk sampling. One thousand metric tons of Fe-Zeolites will be stockpiled at the TransCanada site this week.

LuVerne Hogg, CEO of ZMM Minerals Canada Corp. and Ashburton’s appointed Operator of the TransCanada property, stated “This program will clarify our best options with respect to future operations. We anticipate the results of bulk sampling with great interest.”  

ZMM has conducted product research and development on this new iron-bearing zeolite for the past two years. These new Fe-Zeolites have unique physiochemical properties and will continue to be tested in a wide range of industrial, environmental and consumer applications. Initially, the same production process will be used as at the Z-1 Zeolite Quarry. The TransCanada zeolites can be refined to a high purity, using high-intensity magnetic separation, thus potentially increasing the scope of products and services for new and existing markets.

Actively processing one thousand tonnes of these unique zeolites contained in volcanic flow rocks – stilbite, scolecite, and mordenite – is an innovative and exciting first for BC. Ashburton aims to be in a unique position as the only company in Canada to provide this suite of zeolite species.

The technical contents of this release were approved by LuVerne E.W. Hogg, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. The properties have not been the subject of a National Instrument 43-101 report.

The Company further cautions that production decisions are not supported by a feasibility study of mineral reserves or an estimation of mineral resources and therefore there is an increased uncertainty and higher risks of technical failure and there is no certainty that the project will be found to be economic.

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 to the news release distribution please get in touch with us at info@ashburtonventures.com.

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.

October 12th, 2017, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)  (“Ashburton” or the "Company”) is pleased to announce sales made directly from a storage and packaging facility in Vernon BC. The customers are utilizing the zeolite as a new bedding application.

The BC poultry industry, which contributes $883 million to the Canadian GDP, according to the BC Chicken Marketing Board, currently utilizes wood shavings as its primary animal bedding in production barns. The new zeolite product addresses the age-old problem of odor and dampness which negatively affects flock health.

“We are pleased to commence sales to the Okanagan poultry industry,” said LuVerne Hogg, Ashburton Operator and CEO of ZMM Canada Minerals Corp. “We’re currently filling orders with one-tonne bulk bags, and will have further packaging options – including one-tonne palettes loaded with ten and twenty-kilogram bags – available in coming weeks.”

Ashburton President David Gdanski added, “We have reached the important milestone of making sales from a distribution hub in Vernon. As a company, it is tremendously rewarding to be building a customer base and distribution network.”

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 to the news release distribution please get in touch with us at info@ashburtonventures.com.

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.

September 14th, 2017, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)  (“Ashburton” or the "Company”)  is excited to announce that summer activities at the Z-1 Quarry near Cache Creek, BC, were completed with great success. Operations generated inventory including 7,100 tonnes stockpiled, screened to various particle sizes, and 685 one-tonne bulk bags.

The company now has finished zeolite ready for use in large product-development initiatives in horticultural, agricultural and advanced-materials programs. These include supplying the University of Victoria Engineering Department’s Vacuum Insulated Panel research and supplying Northern Alberta Institute of Technology for environmental remediation research, as well as other private sector organizations. In addition, new products featuring Z-1 Zeolite are to be packaged and market-tested. Sales and shipping of Z-1 Zeolite have commenced.

“Arrangements have been made with a Vernon facility to house our packaging and distribution centre,” stated Verne Hogg, operator of the Z-1 Quarry. “We have installed a Valve Packer and have shipped, from the quarry, 48 bulk bags of Broad-Spectrum Zeolite for packaging into twenty-kilogram and ten-kilogram bags at the Vernon facility. I estimate our packaging operation will be fully operational within the next three weeks. We have initiated sales as we are now able to deliver. We have 100 tonnes of Broad-Spectrum Zeolite on reserve for one customer and have shipped 24 tonnes to another customer’s composting facility.”

Mr. Hogg added, “The Valve Packer allows us to market specific products and to satisfy orders from consumers who want the ten and twenty-kilogram bags. We can also deliver bulk truckloads from our stockpiles, or one-tonne bags for applications such as composting bio-wastes at large compost facilities.”

The summer’s production operations at the Z-1 Zeolite Quarry focused primarily on crushing, screening and bagging Z-1 Zeolite from the 9000 tonnes produced in 2016. The work also improved access to the zeolite and the overall layout of the quarry.

According to Ashburton President David Gdanski, “We’re extremely pleased to have a healthy inventory of zeolite ready for sale. We have reached a pivotal moment as a company, able to package and sell Z-1 Zeolite in particle sizes ideal for a wide range of in-demand and developing applications. We now offer a high-performance zeolite at a competitive price as we work to satisfy and grow the zeolite market.”

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 to the news release distribution please get in touch with us at info@ashburtonventures.com.

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

September 7th, 2017, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)  (“Ashburton” or the "Company”) is pleased to announce the completion of comparative analysis of all remaining data sets from Ashburton’s study of cannabis grown with zeolite from the Z-1 Zeolite Quarry near Cache Creek, BC. The study concludes that zeolite energizes soils with a negative electrical charge that activates nutrient uptake.

Results indicate that benefits of zeolite enrichment to overall marijuana harvested (7% average weight increase per plant) and total cannabinoid potency (110% average increase) is caused by superior nutrient uptake among plants grown with Z-1 Zeolite.

According to biologist Albert Kasprowicz, operations manager at the Salt Spring Island cannabis research facility, “In plants grown without zeolite, higher levels of essential elements remained in the soil, not accessed by plant roots. However, in the zeolite and zeolite-carbon groups, the numbers tell a different story: nutrient levels drop rapidly in the soil following irrigation with dissolved ionic elements. Those disappeared nutrients then reappear in elevated concentrations in leaf tissue. We can associate zeolite and zeolite-carbon blends with improved transport of nutrients from soil to plant tissue, which in turn allows plants to metabolize more of the basic building blocks of marijuana. This explains the remarkable rise in marijuana quality and yields that we observed in our study.”

Kasprowicz proposed that the mechanism of action improving nutrient transport involves zeolite’s negative electrical charge, which increases a soil’s “cation exchange capacity,” the ability of soil to pass positively-charged ionic nutrients into root tissue. Cannabis root hairs achieve nutrient transport by cation exchange, assisted by the process of “active transport,” whereby the organic chemical ATP (adenosine triphosphate) supplies energy for molecular pumps that pull ions across cell membranes. Z-1 Zeolite naturally contains exchangeable potassium ions, ensuring that plants are well-supplied with the element necessary to maximize the production of ATP and thus accelerate nutrient transport.

“The effect is that zeolite first captures nutrients from fertilizers, and then creates a push-pull relationship with the plant roots to propel those elements into plant cells,” Kasprowicz explained.

He continued, “It is tremendously important to the marijuana cultivator that cannabis be grown in soils that promote nutrient uptake. Zeolite’s negative charge supplies energy for a nutrient-transport engine built right into the soil.”

Ashburton is currently in discussions with a manufacturer of pre-mixed soils for the cannabis industry.

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 to the news release distribution please get in touch with us at info@ashburtonventures.com.

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.

August 29th, 2017, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)  (“Ashburton” or the "Company”) is pleased to announce the discovery of a positive correlation between Z-1 Zeolite and cannabinoid production in six out of six categories detected and measured in the Meltdown marijuana strain, as recorded in a recent analysis conducted by MB Labs, a Health Canada certified cannabis laboratory.

In the case of all cannabinoids detected, total potency increased as levels of Z-1 zeolite enrichment increased. Zeolite used in Ashburton’s study of cannabis grown with zeolite was sourced from the Z-1 Zeolite Quarry near Cache Creek, BC, jointly operated by Ashburton Ventures and ZMM Minerals Canada Corp.

Cannabinoid analysis was conducted using UV light detection with ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography. According to Analytics Chemist Rene Bilodeau, MB Labs applies “extremely sensitive technologies to obtain the most precise and accurate measurements possible.”

Biologist and cultivation research manager Albert Kasprowicz stated, “This data set validates our study, as it illustrates a meaningful elevation of cannabinoid yields – a doubling of medicinal potency – in plants influenced by zeolite. Cannabis cultivators are farmers of cannabinoids, so these findings are momentous.”

The Meltdown strain is known for relatively low THC levels, higher levels of non-psychoactive Cannabidoil (CBD), and a broad spectrum of minor medicinal cannabinoids. Liquid chromatography preserves cannabinoids in their precursor acid form, which when subjected to heat, converts to a non-acid cannabinoid at .877 of the original molecular weight (e.g. 1% THC-A = .877% THC).

Highlights of the liquid chromatography analysis include the following divergences in cannabinoid production between plants grown in Z-1 Zeolite-enriched substrate and those grown in the control substrate of unamended coconut husk fibre:

• a 2.1-fold increase in Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol Acid (THC-A), from 2.99% THC-A in control marijuana, to 6.29% THC-A in marijuana grown with Z-1 Zeolite enrichment; 
   
• a 2.07-fold increase in Cannabidiol-Acid (CBD-A), from 3.85% CBD-A in control marijuana, to 7.99% CBD-A in marijuana grown with Z-1 Zeolite enrichment;    
   
• a 2.37-fold increase in Cannabichromene Acid (CBC-A), from .19% CBC-A in control marijuana, to .45% CBC-A in marijuana grown with Z-1 Zeolite enrichment;    
   
• a 2.06-fold increase in Cannabigerol Acid (CBG-A), from .16% CBG-A in control marijuana, to .33% CBG-A in marijuana grown with Z-1 Zeolite enrichment; 
   
• a 1.79-fold increase in Cannabidivarin Acid (CBDV-A), from .014% CBDV-A in control marijuana, to .025% CBDV-A in marijuana grown with Z-1 Zeolite enrichment, and      
   
• a 2.26-fold increase in Tetrahydrocannabivarin Acid (THCV-A), from .015% THCV-A in control marijuana, to .035% THCV-A in marijuana grown with Z-1 Zeolite enrichment.

In the case of all detected cannabinoids, potency rose steadily as levels of zeolite enrichment increased through three increments.

In the case of zeolite blended with carbon (ZMM T-Carbon), potency for most cannabinoids peaked at medium levels of enrichment and then declined, revealing an approximate level of optimal enrichment. The data suggests that ZMM T-Carbon makes Z-1 Zeolite more efficient by allowing for near-peak cannabinoid production with a lower input of Z-1 Zeolite. With the exception of CBG, overall cannabinoid potency remained lower than levels reached with high applications of only Z-1 Zeolite.

Kasprowicz is currently analyzing MB Labs data including soil and liquid runoff samples to extrapolate mechanisms of action prior to designing a follow-up study.

Ashburton Chief Operating Officer Timothy Harvey stated, “We’re extremely pleased with the key findings of our study. Not only did the cannabinoid output of the Meltdown strain approximately double with the addition of Z-1 Zeolite, but this effect is coupled with a 7% increase in the total dry weight of marijuana harvested, as previously reported. These results indicate that Z-1 Zeolite adds significant value to cannabis cultivation enterprises.”

Graphed results of the MB Labs cannabinoid analysis from dried marijuana samples of the Meltdown strain are posted on Ashburton’s website at http://www.ashburtonventures.com/news/lab-results.png.

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 to the news release distribution please get in touch with us at info@ashburtonventures.com.

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.

August 23rd, 2017, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)  (“Ashburton” or the "Company”) is pleased to provide the following positive drill results from the Thompson Bros Lithium Project (“the Project”) in Manitoba, Canada located approximately 5 km from Far Resources (FAT-TSX:V)  “Zoro” project, where 2017 drilling yielded comparable figures. Assays have been received for two out of six drill holes.

Highlights:

• Hole TBL001: from 35.4 to 47 metres (11.6 metre interval) of 1.37 wt. % Li2O
• Hole TBL002 from 19 to 24.4 metres (5.43 metre interval) of 1.55 wt. % Li2O
• Early results support the historical data

Six drill holes were completed at the Thompson Bros Lithium Project in Manitoba of which five encountered significant intervals of spodumene (lithium-bearing mineral) mineralization at downhole widths that are comparable or exceed those encountered from historical drill programs.

Hole One TBL17-001: 35.4 – 47 metres (11.6 metre interval returned a weighted average assay of 1.37% Li2O), is located near historic hole 102 (the hole ended in pegmatite due to unstable conditions), which intersected further pegmatite from 52.4 to 59.4 metres (7.0 metre interval).

Hole Two TBL17-002: 8.5 – 9.34 metres and 19 – 24.4 metres (two intervals, 0.84 metres and 5.43 metres returned weighted average assays of 0.53 wt. % and 1.55 wt. % Li2O respectively), is located near historic hole 111 which also encountered two intervals: 20.9 to 24.5 metre (3.6 m interval) and 55.5 to 57.3 metre (1.8 metre interval).

CEO Mike England stated “The first two holes have shown a strong correlation with existing historic drill data and have returned excellent grade at relatively near surface intersections. We are eager to see the remaining four drill hole assays and look forward to reporting results.”

The project is financed by Quantum Resources Limited (ASX: “QUR”) who has the right to earn in up to 80% of the project.

The technical contents of this release were approved by Michel Boily, PhD, P.Geo a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

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 to the news release distribution please get in touch with us at info@ashburtonventures.com.

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.

August 9th, 2017, VANCOUVER, B.C. – ASHBURTON VENTURES INC. (ABR-TSX:V) (ARB-FRANKFURT)  (“Ashburton” or the "Company”) is pleased to announce that dried marijuana samples have arrived at MB Labs in Sidney, BC, a cannabis analytics laboratory certified by Health Canada. Analysis of the marijuana pertains to the third and final phase of Ashburton’s study which will measure chemical elements and medically-active compounds in the flowers of cannabis grown in zeolite and zeolite-carbon blends.

Phase Three is designed to indicate whether cannabis grown with zeolite from the Z1 Zeolite Quarry near Cache Creek, BC, produces a higher quality of cannabis than that grown in the absence of zeolite or zeolite-carbon blends. Lab results are expected by mid-August. In addition, total plant yields of dried cannabis will be weighed to determine whether zeolite and carbon can increase overall marijuana production.

Results from Phase Two of the study are still pending. A second Phase One data set from liquid runoff analysis has arrived from MB Labs and has been submitted to biologist and master grower Albert Kasprowicz for interpretation. News of these results is imminent.

Kasprowicz previously stated that these results could be a “game changer” for cannabis cultivation, should the second data set confirm the initial results that revealed trends of an unexpected magnitude. He noted a sharp reduction in fungal and bacterial pathogens coupled with a high retention of key nutrients in the root zone of plants potted with zeolite and zeolite-carbon blends. Kasprowicz suggested that these factors inevitably correlate to higher plant health and productivity.

MB Labs is currently conducting Phase Two chemical analysis of soil and leaf tissue. Results are scheduled for release in the coming weeks. A chemical profile of both soil and leaf tissue will reveal potential nutrient uptake trends. Of special interest is the effect of zeolite and carbon on the bioavailability of ionic elements to cannabis.

 “Having monitored this study with close attention, we have reason to be believe the data could reveal distinct advantages to growing cannabis with Z-1 zeolite and T-Carbon,” stated Tim Harvey, Chief Operations Officer of Ashburton Ventures.

Harvey continued, “For the greenhouse facility operators, visible differences – a lusher canopy where zeolite had been applied, for example – were a factor in their decision to order 20 tons of our premium Z-1 zeolite. They also took note of immense labour savings due to zeolite’s water-retention capacity. There is no longer any question that zeolite offers benefits to marijuana cultivators. The question remaining is whether it helps the end customer as well. Customers demand quality, and the quality of marijuana is exactly what the lab analysis of dried flowers will explore. We’ll soon know if yields, efficiency and quality are all positively impacted by growing cannabis with Z-1 zeolite and carbon.”

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 to the news release distribution please get in touch with us at info@ashburtonventures.com.

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.