Australia’s Releaf Group (RGL) announced last week it has entered into a commercial arrangement concerning a proposed cannabis-focused retreat near Byron Bay in New South Wales.
Founded in 2017, RGL runs Releaf Clinics, a dedicated clinic and dispensary group formed to simplify the consultation process and access to cannabis medicines for patients. Another RGL entity is its research arm, the Australasian College of Cannabinoid Medicine (ACCM), which recently began collaborating with Project Twenty21.
Releaf says as the use of medical cannabis continues to grow, there’s a unique market opportunity in catering to wellness and luxury tourists in Australia. The planned resort is to be located 20 minutes from the centre of Byron Bay and just 15 minutes from Brunswick Heads and Mullumbimby.
At the Zoll Wellness resort, clients – or more accurately, patients – will be able to consume medicinal cannabis on-site. The use of medicinal cannabis in New South Wales requires a prescription and for those who don’t have one, it appears that could be taken care of where it is warranted prior to arrival or perhaps even on arrival at the resort. Releaf says patients will have access to nutritionists, doctors, medical specialists and other allied health professionals focusing on general wellness, sleep, pain and anxiety-related issues.
The retreat will be open for day sessions and longer stay programs for singles and couples. Among the amenities on site will be a MULL Cafe Restaurant
Founder and CEO of Releaf Group Gary Mackenzie said Zoll Wellness would be the first cannabis wellness centre in the Asia-Pacific Region.
“The partnership also provides RGL with bricks and mortar assets that strengthen the company’s balance sheet as we progress towards a planned IPO listing,” he said.
RGL will have a 51% stake in the retreat. Little is mentioned about partner Zoll Wellness in the announcement in terms of the entity itself, only that it believes the community and region will also greatly benefit from the partnership. It’s also noted Zoll Wellness will be a tourism franchise product that could be marketed into other cannabis tourism territories.
It’s not clear how advanced plans for the resort are. There doesn’t appear to be any related development applications either lodged with or approved by Byron Shire Council recently.
