World’s largest medicinal cannabis company to set up Southern Hemisphere headquarters in Victoria

A HI-TECH greenhouse will be built in Victoria with the world’s largest medicinal cannabis company to start production in the state, a move that has been described as “cementing our position as “the medicinal cannabis hub of the Southern Hemisphere.”

A HI-TECH greenhouse will be built in Victoria with the world’s largest medicinal cannabis company to start production in the state.

Canada’s Canopy Growth Corporation announced today it would pump up to $16 million into the new production and research centre.

While a site has not yet been chosen, the company plans to cultivate, produce and eventually export medicinal cannabis as countries across Asia Pacific legalise its use.

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Victoria was the first Australian state to legalise medicinal cannabis in 2016, but restricted its use to patients with exceptional circumstances.

The Federal Government followed suit and in January announced a move to allow exports.

Canopy Growth Corporation are reviewing a number of metro and regional sites for the new centre. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

Ben Quirin, from Canopy Growth Corporation’s subsidiary Spectrum Australia, said their genetics were already growing “healthily” in Australia.

“We are well on our way to identifying suitable locations for a hi-tech greenhouse and processing facility to produce them at scale,” he said.

Mr Quirin added: “Our goal is to act quickly and establish a market presence here in Victoria.”

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The Herald Sun revealed earlier this month that 106 Victorian patients had been approved to use medicinal cannabis under the federal scheme.

These patients included sufferers of cancer, chronic pain and serious illnesses.

In total, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has give the green light for more than 546 Australians to use cannabis products.

Agricultural Minister Jaala Pulford. Picture: Supplied

The new centre comes after Victoria’s Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford signed a memorandum of understanding with Canopy Growth Corporation in January to further research medicinal cannabis.

“We were the first state to legalise medicinal cannabis and now we’re continuing to lead the way and cement our position as the medicinal cannabis hub of the Southern Hemisphere,” Ms Pulford said today.

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