Australia's first medical cannabis harvest expected by the end of 2017

Cann Group Australia, a Melbourne-based medical cannabis company, has received its first cannabis cultivation license. It has thus become the first company in the country authorized to grow its first crop.

Australia has legalized cannabis for medical purposes last year and is seeking to become one of the world leaders in medical cannabis research and development. So far, the country has only been able to receive cannabis imports from other countries such as Canada and Uruguay. Authorized last February, the cultivation permit was issued by the country’s Drug Control Bureau at an undisclosed location in the city of Melbourne. Amendments to the Narcotics Act will allow the use of medical cannabis for patients suffering from chronic illnesses.

In 2005, a doctor named Andrew Katelaris, known in the country as «Dr. Cannabis,» had provided medical cannabis to his suffering patients—including children with seizures—long before it was legalized for medical use, which resulted in him losing his medical license. He continued his research, however, despite his legal troubles.

From now on, under federal law, patients will be able to access medical cannabis products that are legally manufactured and cultivated in Australia, provided they have a prescription from their treating physician. In Australia, medical cannabis is classified as a controlled substance, similar to morphine, for example.

The company's president Cann Group Australia, Allan McCallum, said that «the license will allow us to move forward with our research and development of medical cannabis, with a particular focus on cultivation, extraction, and the identification of cannabinoids.».

The country's first cannabis plants are expected to be ready next August.

Recreational cannabis remains illegal in Australia. The criminal laws prohibiting its use are still in effect.

Mehdi Bautier