The proposed PUF Ventures Australia (“PUFA”) medical cannabis project in New South Wales is continue to gather steam.
PUF Ventures has announced PUFA has filed an application with the Australian Office of Drug Control to obtain a medicinal cannabis license and a cannabis research license. The licence is in relation to a collaborative effort between PUFA and the National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) regarding PUFA’s proposed Northern Rivers Project.
“NICM is a world-class research institute, and this collaboration will allow for access to our planned state-of-the-art labs and greenhouse facilities,” said Michael Horsfall, CEO, PUF Ventures Australia. “NICM will provide their independent academic expertise to contribute to PUFA’s research agenda. This is a significant step forward to allow PUF Ventures Australia to focus on its mandate to develop innovative medicinal products.”
NICM is based at Western Sydney University and was established to support research into complementary medicine and translation of evidence into clinical practice and relevant policy in Australia.
“NICM engages in selective research collaborations in medicinal cannabis, and the PUFA Northern Rivers Project is a significant development in the field which we are proud to be involved with,” said Professor Jerome Sarris, NICM Deputy Director.
Projects under the collaboration may include research related to women’s health disorders, multiple sclerosis (MS), immune disorders, and optimising cannabis constituent profiles.
Should the Northern Rivers Project proceed, it will see the largest medical cannabis greenhouse operation in the southern hemisphere constructed in the New South Wales town of Casino.
The project has strong support from Richmond Valley Council, which will be providing land and other support. The Council views the project as a potential game-changer for the region, providing much-needed employment and investment.
When fully completed, the project will include a large-scale greenhouse (111,483 square metres), manufacturing, processing and office facilities for the cultivation, production and manufacture of medicinal cannabis. In Phase 1, the greenhouse constructed will be just under 28,000 square metres.
In November, PUF Ventures filed applications with Australia’s Office of Drug Control relating to the cultivation, production and manufacture of cannabis at the facility.
