Leafio, the medicinal cannabis wholesale arm of Montu, is planning to open a fourth distribution centre before the end of the year, with locations on the west coast and in Far North Queensland currently under consideration.
Leafio, which already runs distribution centres in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, said the final location choice will depend on "logistics and demand".
The announcement coincides with the company reporting a 60% increase in pharmacy sales over the past 12 months.
According to the company, 3,500 pharmacies now use the platform to "fulfil alternative medicine prescriptions", with over 1,000 orders placed every day.
Rua Bioscience
Rua Bioscience recorded revenue of NZ$900,000 (A$831,000) for the six months from October 1 to March 31, a significant rise from NZ$268,000 (A$247,000) in the preceding six-month period.
The company called its third-quarter performance — covering January through March — "particularly encouraging", though it did not release figures specific to those three months.
"This exceptional result reflects robust demand across all core markets and validates Rua's strategy of building a strong export-led business rooted in quality and world-class cultivation and manufacturing partners," Rua said.
Germany posted record sales during the most recent quarter, with demand exceeding available supply, while Australian sales "remain steady".
Rua attributed supply constraints in Australia to limited near-term growth, though incoming supply and new products are expected to "reignite momentum".
In New Zealand, product launches drove month-on-month growth, further positioning Rua as a "key player in the country's rapidly maturing medicinal cannabis sector".
Chief executive Paul Naske said: "Achieving $900,000 in revenue in six months as a start-up company is an outstanding milestone. It demonstrates the success of our strategy, the quality of our products, and the hard work of our team.
"Most importantly, it brings us closer to fulfilling our purpose of changing lives both here at home and internationally."
Driving study results
Researchers in Queensland have released findings from a study examining how THC affects driving performance, with the results pointing in different directions.
Hemp Gazette reports that the study, which followed 78 medicinal cannabis patients using either oil or vaporised flower, found no change in information processing speed, divided and sustained attention, or inhibitory control in either group.
On the other hand, the research identified notable reductions in cognitive flexibility and executive functions.
The findings have been published in Drug and Alcohol Review.
Lisa Varley wins CEO award
Former Entourage Effect chief executive Lisa Varley has been recognised as Healthcare Distribution CEO of the Year 2025 by business insights platform APAC Insider.
Varley departed the Entourage Effect in March after two years at the company to establish medicinal cannabis consultancy Eqwellibriyum.
