Stage one of LeafCann’s medicinal cannabis factory in Adelaide’s south almost set to go
Hidden away in Adelaide’s south is what’s about to become the nation’s largest biomedical marijuana factory – and its first medicinal cannabis oil will hit stores later this year.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Would legal cannabis supercharge SA’s economy?
- Patients speak out: We just don’t want to die in agony
A secret warehouse south of Adelaide is almost ready for the distribution of medicinal cannabis oil later this year, promising to deliver more affordable access for Australian and New Zealand patients.
LeafCann Group’s Warehouse and Distribution Facility is due for completion in October, at a site in the Onkaparinga Council area that cannot be disclosed for security reasons.
Construction of the warehouse had been delayed because of COVID-19.
LeafCann CEO Elisabetta Faenza told the Sunday Mail 30 staff would be employed to run the warehouse, distribution and sales.
The warehouse is stage one of a $350 million medicinal cannabis manufacturing, cultivating and research precinct – the largest of its kind in Australia, which will be capable of treating 160,000 patients a year and directly employing up to 700 people.
The state government has just granted LeafCann a licence, under the Controlled Substances Act 1984, for the warehouse and distribution of cannabis from its SA facility.
Ms Faenza said the first finished medicinal cannabis oil products made by LeafCann will be distributed to pharmacies across Australia and New Zealand late this year.
“The cost to patients of medicinal cannabis is significantly increased by margins added along the way by companies who store, deliver and then on-sell these products,” Ms Faenza said.
“The Wholesale Dealer’s Licence gives us more control over the supply chain and allows us to supply the highest quality product at very affordable prices,” she said.
“Our pricing strategy will be released closer to launch (in late 2020).”
Earlier this month LeafCann became the exclusive Australian and New Zealand supplier of certified, organically grown cannabis from Canadian organic cannabis producer The Green Organic Dutchman (TGOD).
Distribution of TGOD medicinal cannabis oil finished products from LeafCann’s SA warehouse will begin next year.
LeafCann’s SA facility, when complete, will be one of the first in the world to produce medicinal cannabis products from genetics to patients under international Good Manufacturing Practice standards.
South Australians suffering from chronic pain, nausea, post-traumatic stress disorder and epilepsy have repeatedly complained about the cost and the difficulty of finding an SA doctor willing to prescribe medicinal cannabis. SA doctors cite lack of research and quality-control of product as main reasons.
Most imported medicinal cannabis products can cost up to $500 a treatment and many are not GMP certified.
Currently, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved exemptions are required for doctorprescribed medicinal cannabis only.
The TGA is investigating whether medicinal cannabis oil for adults should be sold over-the-counter under a number of restrictions.
READ MORE:
Can Australia replicate big cannabis revenue raising like US?
Legalising cannabis in SA – the pros and cons
Dr Carolyn Harris is urging SA doctors to give medicinal cannabis a fair go