The budding medicinal cannabis sector is struggling to put down roots, and another specialist processing factory is set to close. But regulators considering current rules and a new industry collective offer some promise to reduce New Zealand's reliance on imported medicinal bud.
There was a buzz of excitement when medicinal cannabis was legalised, then regulated in 2020 with a view towards growing a domestic sector and serving patients here and abroad. However, since then, several firms have shut their doors, including Greenfern Industries, Cannasouth and, most recently, Helius Therapeutics.
The latter is planning to close its East Tāmaki factory, affecting 65 workers. It is one of only a few medicinal cannabis factories nationwide that holds a specialist processing certification called "Good Manufacturing Practice" (GMP).
Medicinal Cannabis Council executive director Sally King said that, under current rules, most producers did not hold that certification, and could put out only raw bud ingredients, not processed products such as more lucrative cannabis capsules.
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