6 December 2019
From the Premier
Victoria’s first dedicated commercial medicinal cannabis processing facility is open – giving more people access to life-changing treatment and creating local jobs.
Premier Daniel Andrews today joined Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale and representatives from Canadian medicinal cannabis company MediPharm Labs at the grand opening of their new Wonthaggi processing facility.
The facility will process up to 75,000 kilograms of medicinal cannabis into resin each year for use in medicinal products – creating up to 60 new jobs in Gippsland, and supporting local agriculture and business.
MediPharm Labs is the first independent global manufacturing company to enter Victoria’s medicinal cannabis industry and will partner with more than 50 agricultural growers across Australia – including 30 from Victoria.
The medicinal cannabis industry is an emerging industry for Victoria, with opportunities across manufacturing, agriculture and pharmaceutical industries that is attracting investment and creating new high-tech jobs.
The Andrews Labor Government’s flagship Medicinal Cannabis Industry Development Plan aims to see Victoria supplying half of Australia’s medicinal cannabis by 2028 – creating 500 jobs.
Victoria has already attracted significant investment from international companies, with The Cronos Group and Canopy Growth Corporation both establishing their Asia-Pacific headquarters and research facilities in Victoria.
Victoria was the first state in Australia to legalise access to medicinal cannabis for patients in exceptional circumstances in 2016.
Our lead forced the Commonwealth to act, allowing doctors to prescribe medicinal cannabis for anyone who needs it, with pharmaceutical grade cannabidiol now able to be imported.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“This new facility will give more people access to life-changing treatment and create regional jobs.”
“No one should have to choose between watching their children suffer and breaking the law – that’s why we legalised access to medicinal cannabis and why we’re backing a local industry right here in Victoria.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale
“This is great news for the Bass Coast – supporting jobs here in Wonthaggi and across the state in our agricultural sector.”
Quotes attributable to MediPharm Labs Asia Pacific CEO Warren Everitt
“In this watershed moment, MediPharm Labs is proud to be opening the first specialized cannabis manufacturing facility in the state of Victoria setting the gold standard for this new and exciting industry.”
“Building this state-of-the-art facility is a tremendous achievement for MediPharm Labs. We are thankful for the strong support from traditional land owners, government and from the Therapeutic Goods Administration.”
Click here to read the full media release.
