New Zealand grower Kalyx and distributor Nubu have become the first companies to offer domestically grown dried cannabis flower in the country, following verification of their products by the Medicinal Cannabis Agency (MCA).
The flower will be sold under Nubu's Kikuya brand and is set to be available by prescription this month.
Nubu co-founder and chief executive Mark Dye said achieving local production and regulatory approval represents three years of effort since New Zealand introduced its medicinal cannabis framework.
Prior to this approval, no flower grown in New Zealand had received MCA clearance for vaporiser use.
"I couldn't be happier to celebrate this milestone," Dye said. "We have the most stringent regulations in the world, so bringing local flower to market is no small feat.
“More importantly, this wonderful news means access to more affordable and fresher products for patients.”
He added: “Despite news of doom and gloom from some in the industry, Nubu and Kalyx show that with the right team, strong partners and unwavering commitment, it’s possible to succeed within the existing regulations. We’ve proven it’s possible, and the local industry has a bright future ahead.”
Kalyx was co-founded by Jesse O'Steen, who cultivated cannabis in California before relocating to New Zealand in 2008.
He said: “We are excited and proud to reach this milestone with Nubu. The cannabis business is incredibly complex and challenging, so access to the market is a key component.
“We couldn’t be happier to support local patients with homegrown products.”
In addition to the Kalyx launch, Nubu is collaborating with a second cultivator, Bay of Plenty-based OGG Holdings, to submit dried cannabis products for MCA verification.
Dye said the future of New Zealand's cannabis sector will be shaped by “partnerships between local independent growers, cultivating premium cannabis alongside partners like us”.