Hemp venture hopes for cannabis licence
"Things are looking very positive for us being the first crop of medical cannabis in the country."
Manu Caddie of Hikurangi Enterprises
A hemp production company in Ruatoria could be the first place in the country to be granted a licence to grow cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Hikurangi Enterprises, which is gearing up for its second season of hemp production, aims to find a ‘‘mother plant’’ with specific medicinal characteristics. Of 5000 plants, only one will make the cut.
‘‘We’ve got 15 growers working on the crop here and that’s about 300 years’ combined growing experience between them,’’ Manu Caddie, from Hikurangi Enterprises, told Ma¯ oriTV.
‘‘And we’re hoping to find the one that’s got the best profile.’’
To be granted a licence, the company must meet strict government requirements for manufacturing medicines based on international standards.
‘‘We’re well advanced with our discussions with the Government and the Ministry of Health. Things are looking very positive for us being the first crop of medical cannabis in the country and getting the necessary licences and going through the regulations,’’ Caddie said.
‘‘Eventually we will be growing indoors but at this stage, we are allowed to grow outdoors for medicines but for international and export markets we will probably have to grow in glass houses and controlled environments.’’
The venture could bring create employment, Caddie said.
The company has also teamed up with the Eastern Institute of Technology Tairawhiti to provide a hemp-growing course. Fifteen students are already taking the course.
‘‘They’re learning not just about the growing part of it but the business behind the industry that we’re needing to develop.’’