Friday, February 7, 2025

Construction of new cannabis farm starts in March

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A medicinal cannabis farm will start production at a new farm in Caniaba, between Casino and Lismore, in September this year.

Biortica Agrimed through its subsidiary Green Farmers is increasing its cultivation capacity fivefold over the next 12 months. 

The company’s existing 4000sqm facility in Victoria will be increased with an extra 6000sqm and the new site at Caniaba will be 10,000sqm.

Biortica chief strategy officer Shane Duncan said the company planned to begin building in Caniaba in March.

“We have the permits and equipment,” Mr Duncan said.

A small operation has already been underway at Caniaba and the expansion of the facility will produce 50 new genetic strains of cannabis.

Green Farmer will have a range of cannabis products that you can’t currently source in Australia, Mr Duncan said.

“We will sell bulk finished product, we’re a typical farm.”

That bulk product will be turned into flour, oil and other products.

The Australian medicinal cannabis industry was at least 15 years behind Canada, Mr Duncan said.

“They’ve had the opportunity to fine-tune the process,” he said.

“The German market takes their product.”

Mr Duncan said there were many risks with importing cannabis including  issues when the cannabis was left in heated shipping containers at export sites which reduced the drug’s potency.

Green Farmer estimates the Caniaba site will produces five tonnes a year.

When Mr Duncan became involved in the cannabis industry in 2018, there were less than 100 prescribers. The usage of cannabis has increased dramatically  since then as it has become more accepted and more widely used.

The Caniaba site is in Lismore City Council but the job scope includes Richmond Valley and Kyogle LGAs.

“We will need local trades for the next stage of construction,” Mr Duncan said.

“We will be building a large solar farm, and battery to power the facilities.”

Once construction is finished the farm will employ 100 workers at the undisclosed location.

This article appeared on  indyNR.com  on 19 January 2025.

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