A Tauranga-based medical cannabis company has announced it aims to create hundreds of jobs in the region by building an agri-industry which matches the value of the kiwifruit sector.

Horticultural growers and iwi in the region have already expressed strong interest in and support for MediCann's plans.

MediCann managing director Brendon Ogilvy says the company has a proven business model comparable to Zespri's.

The company plans to deploy a similar growing and cultivation model and scale out its growing production to qualified horticulturalists in the Bay of Plenty.

'We have exclusive New Zealand rights to more than 30 medically verified European-registered cannabis strains and are poised to release grower licenses, pending the government's decision at the end of this month on whether Kiwis can access cannabis legally for medical purposes.”

He says most Kiwis support medical cannabis reform, with 89 per cent supporting it to be used for terminal pain relief and 87 per cent for pain relief.

Growers will apply to become a MediCann NZ Medical Cannabis Licensed Producer.

The company will provide Medical Cannabis genetics expertise and supply of all hardware, consumables and MC agronomists for the successful GMP production of Medical Cannabis biomass from their Bay of Plenty grower network.

Brendon says it's an ambitious plan, but they are ready and have the right expertise on-board.

'It makes sense to build New Zealand's newest horticulture industry here in the Bay, as we have global growing credibility.”

The quality of Bay of Plenty produce such as kiwifruit, avocados, blueberries and Manuka Honey, is well-established around the world, says Brendon.

'We aim to build a sustainable industry that benefits all New Zealanders.”

Brendon says MediCann has attracted significant investment and inquiries from some of the Bay of Plenty's most successful growers.

'Our grower network is one of our key points of difference within the MC industry in New Zealand. We have hundreds of years of horticultural experience within our network. It is an exciting time for the region's growing community.

'Forecast returns for growers are excellent through the MediCann model,” he says.

'For example, 17.2 hectares of medical cannabis crop has the potential to return a similar value to 12.5k hectares of kiwifruit.

'MediCann has the capacity to issue 172 licences equivalent to 1,000 square metres of growing footprint each, totalling 172 000 sqm. MediCann will purchase the crops and manufacture medical-grade cannabis. This could meet estimated domestic demand and provide a launchpad for future exports.”

Local iwi trusts and Māori kiwifruit growers have also expressed strong interest in partnering with MediCann.

Brendon says they like the kaupapa of MediCann, which is foremost to help people in pain as well as building a local industry where hundreds of jobs can be created and better use made of underutilised Maori land.

'Partnering with iwi will allow MediCann to scale the operation to meet future export demands,” he says.

MediCann has been positioning itself for the softening of cannabis laws for many years and has built a global team of experts in the field of medicine, pharmaceuticals and horticulture, says Brendon.

The company's board includes distinguished pharmacist Elizabeth Plant; Dr Franz Strydom, a well-known New Zealand General Practitioner and skin cancer doctor; and Luc Krol who has 40 years expertise in the medical cannabis industry.

Investors include horticultural experts, as well as a team of 10 doctors and nurses.

'We will deliver affordable and accessible cannabinoid-based treatment of the highest medical standard through the professionalism of our clinical expertise and partnerships. At the same time we will be developing a new horticultural sector that New Zealand can be proud of,” says Brendon.

The company is focused on effectively matching specific MC strains to the successful treatment of specific patient ailments.

'We have worked hard to ensure the right European GMP certified genetics are able to be grown locally and address the local demand of medical cannabis needs.”

Only a handful of certified, registered and legal cannabis seed suppliers exist globally – MediCann has acquired New Zealand rights to its European-certified strains through its partnership with the leading European supplier, Paradise Seeds.

'Ownership of certified medical cannabis strains is critical since it determines whether or not a medical cannabis licence can be issued and supported by the medical community in New Zealand. Registered strains are also required for the medical community to write prescriptions and for pharmacies to supply MC to patients.”