Denmark permanently authorizes production, export of medical cannabis

The Danish government has permanently authorized licensed companies to produce and export medical cannabis independent of an existing pilot program.

“This is an important milestone recognizing this young industry, which utilizes the local expertise in greenhouse agriculture mass production,” Aurora Europe said in a statement. “Being able to tap into resources of the established international pharmaceutical industry is also a valuable location advantage.”

Canada-based Aurora has said its Aurora Nordic Cannabis A/S unit, based in Odense, Denmark, is to become the company’s main supply source for the European market. The company’s operations in Odense include more than 9,200 square meters of greenhouse production space and promise a maximum output of approximately 10,000 kg per year. Aurora Nordic produces dried flowers and extracts and will introduce other formulations in the near term, the company has said.

Broad political support

The authorization for production and export of medical cannabis comes as the Danish government, with support of a broad majority of parliamentary parties, decided to continue the medical cannabis pilot program that has been running for four years, but which expires at the end of 2021. The trials were made permanent for growers of cannabis for medical use, and rules allow doctors to continue to prescribe medical cannabis to patients.

Growers finance the pilot program by paying fees but the government said it agreed to discuss grants and possible adjustments to the program in autumn 2021. Continuation of subsidies for patients purchasing cannabis medical supplies is also to be discussed in the future.

Supplying French pilot

Aurora is a primary supplier of cannabis flowers for the French medical cannabis pilot program. Aurora and Ethypharm Group of France companies were recently selected to supply dried flower lots for high-THC, balanced, and high-CBD cannabis products to all French patients participating in the research pilot.

Aurora completed a 100% takeover of Aurora Nordic last year while it also consolidated European operations, closing offices in in Italy, Portugal and Spain and selling off its Lithuanian unit to its original owner.