Byron Bay Bio CEO says company may hold key to Donald Trump’s re-election, change cannabis industry globally

A Byron Bay cannabis company is making waves in the US and says it could hold a “secret weapon” to re-elect Donald Trump to power. Its CEO talks aspirations and plans to dominate the Aussie market.

A Byron Bay cannabis company has been making waves in the United States and says it could hold a “secret weapon” to re-elect Donald Trump to power.

Byron Bay Bio, a biotech firm led by athlete-turned-cannabis entrepreneur Jeff Lang and cannabis activist Will Stolk, has been spruiking technology allowing a greater level of precision around the standardisation of cannabis products.

The company was launched in 2019, and despite its Australian base, conducts business mainly on US soil, due to “outdated regulations that allow for a staggering 20 per cent discrepancy in (medicinal) cannabis strength within Australia.”

“This lack of standardisation is one of the main reasons recreational cannabis remains illegal here (in Australia), Byron Bay Bio chief executive officer Jeff Lang said.

Mr Lang said unlocking standardisation was key to opening the floodgates in terms of legalisation in Australia and other parts of the world.

Byron Bay Bio CEO Jeff Lang. Picture: Supplied

The company states it has used specialised DNA genome sequencing technology, enabling detailed characterisation and patenting of various cannabis strains, including comprehensive profiles of THC, CBD, and terpene levels.

In relation to Mr Trump, cannabis legalisation is expected to be a major vote winner in his favour in battleground states.

Mr Trump has previously said he would aim to legalise cannabis if re-elected – so long as it could be done correctly.

According to Byron Bay Bio, Trump has concerns with cannabis being non-standardised (of varying strengths) and black market cannabis supposedly being laced with chemicals such as fentanyl (which he describes as a danger to children).

Donald Trump says he wants to legalise cannabis in certain states, but only if done correctly. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

Speaking exclusively with NewsLocal, Mr Lang said the Australian black market for cannabis was estimated to be worth $5 billion annually, standing in stark contrast to the legal medicinal cannabis market – $136m.

“Despite the rise of legal markets, the black market still accounts for 81 per cent of global cannabis sales as of 2023, expected to drop to 66 per cent by 2028 with more legalisation,” he said.

“We’ve developed a method to guarantee truth in labelling, ensuring that every cannabis product sold is tested and labelled with accurate levels of psychoactive and medicinal compounds, and free from harmful substances.”

He said the company planned to develop Australia’s first over-the-counter cannabis product – completely free of THC.

Byron Bay Bio says it has harnessed unique tech to unlock the cannabis industry globally. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Land said the cannabis industry needed to view products in a similar way to alcohol for widespread legalisation to occur.

“If you look at the liquor industry, it’s highly regulated,” he said.

“Our technology enables governments to regulate cannabis with the same precision as alcohol, standardisation ensuring products are safe and consistent.

“This will allow improved access to legal cannabis products with the assurance of safety and medicinal efficacy and also provide a tax windfall to governments legalising cannabis.”

Mr Lang, who has a background involving start-ups and in the defence, aerospace and pharmaceutical industries, has raised more than $200 million in capital for a variety of companies.

He said Byron Bay Bio was “sitting in a great position to have a huge impact on the cannabis industry globally”.

The company has been crowd-funding through investment platform Birchal.

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Originally published as Byron Bay Bio CEO says company may hold key to Donald Trump’s re-election, change cannabis industry globally