Pubdate: Sat, 14 Jun 2014
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Darrell Bellaart
Page: A1

DEMAND IS HUGE FOR MEDICAL POT

New Nanaimo business says customer list burgeoning, plans to hire
another 40 people for operation

Business is budding at Nanaimo's industrial producer of legal medical
marijuana.

Since Tilray put its first shipment of pot on a delivery truck from
its Duke Point plant in late April, its customer list has grown to
more than 1,000.

It's good news for the Seattle based company, and for Nanaimo's tax
base and labour force.

With the buyer list now topping the 1,000 mark, company officials are
pleasantly surprised - that's about 10 per cent higher than
expectations.

"We're really pleased with the progress so far, without a doubt," said
Tilray vice-president of patient research and services Philippe Lucas.

"It's been challenging. It's a tough thing we're trying to do and some
of the other (licensed producers) have stumbled."

Greenleaf Medicinals voluntarily recalled a batch of purple kush in
April, to become the first company to ever recall marijuana under
Health Canada's new commercial growing program. Though the company
used a Nanaimo postal address, its facility is located in North Cowichan.

In Nanaimo, Tilray's employee list now tops 65, with more jobs coming.
It now has more than 10,000 cannabis plants in cultivation,
representing 40 strains.

"Tilray is now producing enough premium quality cannabis to serve more
than 5,000 patients," said Brendan Kennedy, Tilray president, in a
press release.

"Since April, we've been harvesting, hand trimming and shipping
medical cannabis to patients every day."

Tilray still plans to hire another 40 people, in roles such as
marketing managers, customer service representatives, horticulturists,
trimmers and shipping specialists.

"Our staffing needs are greater than anticipated," Lucas said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt