In what they say is a breakthrough for local medicinal cannabis production, Australian Natural Therapeutics Group has announced they have been granted the first license in NSW to produce large quantities of medicinal cannabis oil for commercial use.
CEO of Australian Natural Therapeutics Group (ANTG), Matt Cantelo, said this signifies a big step in the buy-local movement.
‘Allowing more Australian cultivation of oil for the commercial market will be a major turn for the local industry, which traditionally has high barriers to entry.
The facility, at an undisclosed location on the outskirts of Armidale, is already renowned for producing three high-quality strains of cannabis flower as well as oil extract for research and clinical trials.
‘The difficulty in acquiring commercial licencing has led to a saturation of the Australia medicinal cannabis market from countries such as Canada, where companies are not required to meet the same level of restrictions placed on Australian businesses.’
Australians unable to afford costs of imported oil
‘Many patients in Australia are unable to afford the ongoing costs of imported medicinal cannabis – which can be as much up to $50k a year for the treatment of ailments like epilepsy induced seizures,’ he said.
‘We are seeing patients forced to the black market, or even trying to grow their own, which is not legal, nor safe.’
‘With our Australian made and Australian grown we will be producing the best quality medicine, while passing on the savings to consumers. Everyone wins.’
‘It’s about creating a domestic distribution process, the first step in the normalisation of medicinal cannabis.’
‘We plan to have new varieties of Australian medicinal grade cannabis oils available in the market within the next month.’
The personal experiences of founder
Formed in 2015, ANTG came about following personal experiences of the founder and CEO. It now produces four strains of medicinal cannabis flower, and is about to start production of four oil combinations.
It also partners with research organisations including CSIRO, University of Newcastle and University of Western Sydney, to unlock the potential of cannabis in the fight against cancer, dementia and inflammation.
Canada currently produces the majority of medical cannabis used to treat Australian patients, with thousands of litres of cannabis oil shipped in last year for medical and scientific use.
‘We are required to adhere to the highest level of quality and purity – even more so than other countries like Canada, which are leaders in cultivation of medicinal cannabis.’
ANTG say that at their growing and manufacturing facility everything complies with international quality standards (GMP & GACP) – from the quality of the water to the light and amount of carbon dioxide in the air.
‘This high benchmark has been a welcome approach – it keeps the cowboys out of the industry.’
‘We have been in a state of prohibition for more than 90 years, so we have to build a brand new industry.’
For more information visit: australiannatural.com.
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