Feeding need for weed

THE world’s leading medicinal cannabis company is set to establish a $16 million centre in Victoria.

Canopy Growth Corporation will base its Asia-Pacific headquarters in the state, producing high-quality medicinal cannabis, creating more than 200 jobs.

“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,” Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford said this week.

With support from the Victorian Government, Canopy through its wholly owned subsidiary Spectrum Cannabis Australia, will invest up to $16 million over four years in Victoria for the centre, which will produce medicinal cannabis for domestic and international markets.

The Government wants to grow Victoria’s emerging medicinal cannabis industry into an established sector, with the state supplying half of Australia’s cannabis needs by 2028.

The Government says the announcement will strengthen work under way between Canopy and Agriculture Victoria, in delivering world-class results producing medicinal cannabis.

Victoria was the first state in Australia to legalise access to medicinal cannabis for patients in exceptional circumstances, in 2016.