Tilray expands its influence Down Under, moving on New Zealand medical market

Canadian cannabis firm Tilray is moving in on New Zealand’s market for medical cannabis and has received the necessary approvals to launch Tilray medical cannabis products across the country.

George Polimenakos, general manager of Tilray Australia and New Zealand, said: “We are proud to receive the first medical cannabis product approvals according to New Zealand’s new Medical Cannabis Scheme. The rigorous approval process is a testament to the high standards the Ministry of Health upholds for patients and the quality of Tilray’s medical cannabis products.”

Tilray’s newly approved product offering in New Zealand is centered on its Purified CBD products, which will be available on prescription.

Tilray already supplies New Zealand pharmacies with medical cannabis oils containing THC and CBD and expects to have an expanded range of products available for patients very soon.

Progress in Australia

In addition to supplying hospitals and pharmacies, Tilray is working with Australian research institutions to measure the impact of its medical cannabis on a range of conditions.

For example, it is partnering with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute to study the efficacy of its medical cannabis in the treatment of children with intellectual disabilities and severe behavioural problems.

It is also teaming up with the New South Wales state government and the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse cancer hospital in Sydney in a clinical trial to develop a novel treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea. And it’s involved in a University of Sydney study of the effects of driving under the influence of cannabis.

In December 2016 Tilray became the first medical cannabis producer in North America to be GMP-certified. It was also the first company to legally export medical cannabis products from North America to Australia, Europe and South America.

At the end of 2020 it announced a merger with fellow Canadian cannabis firm Aphria in a move that aimed to create “the world’s largest weed company”, operating under the Tilray name.

– Lorraine Mullaney CBD-Intel staff

Lorraine Mullaney

Senior writer

Lorraine is responsible for writing news analysis and assisting with copy-editing. Lorraine is a copywriter and editor who has written and edited words for a wide range of audiences, from local community newspapers to consumer magazines and trade websites.