A Christchurch company is hoping to obtain Ministry of Health approval soon to start cultivating cannabis for medical and scientific use and is urging farmers to get involved.
Co-founder and managing director of Long White Cloud Genetics Aaron Hill said he had been approached by local landowners interested in learning more about the medicinal cannabis industry.
''With more and more opportunities opening for farmers who typically rely on meat and dairy, it's something they could seriously investigate if they have interest.''
Mr Hill said the company intended to buy land, probably in the Lincoln area, to grow and manufacture the drug.
''We're looking to acquire a decent farm and do an outdoor hemp crop.''
A high-tech indoor cultivation facility was also being designed which, when completed, could employ up to 50 staff.
Last December, the Government passed its medicinal cannabis Bill, allowing terminally ill people to possess and use illicit cannabis and to possess a cannabis utensil.
The Bill made provision also for a licensed medicinal cannabis scheme for the manufacture, importing, and supply of the drug while cannabidiol (CBD) and CBD products were no longer classed as controlled drugs.
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