Giant leap forward in growing NZ’s largest medical cannabis crop

Puro has secured a licence to grow New Zealand’s largest ever crop of medical cannabis.

The license allows Puro to commercially cultivate cannabis for medical use from the Ministry of Health.

The low-THC crop will be germinated in tunnel houses before being transplanted into the soil at Puro’s Kekerengu site.

Puro Director Sank Macfarlane says the company is delighted to get growing for the commercial market.

“This licence means we are now able to sell medical cannabis to pharmaceutical buyers. This is the next step in our journey to become a worldwide supplier of premium medical cannabis”.

Puro is working with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to facilitate the country’s first ever export of bulk medical cannabis.

Puro commissioned a report from independent economists, Agribusiness Group, into the medical cannabis industry’s ability to create jobs for New Zealand. It shows that Puro could create up to 375 full time jobs within the next two years.

“Puro has the potential to make an enormous difference to the Marlborough economy, delivering jobs in both Kaikoura and Blenheim. We have received strong support from iwi, MPs, mayors and business leaders.” Sank says.

The Kekerengu site is prepared to grow 90,000 low-THC medical cannabis plants, which is expected to make Puro the largest medical cannabis grower in the country. Puro is adopting regenerative methods of cultivation to improve soil, environment and plant health.

The company has further commercial cultivation applications in the final stages of the review process, including for their recently completed indoor research facility in Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley.