AgMedica Bioscience Inc. has only be licensed to grow medical cannabis in Chatham for just over a year, and the company is already establishing strong roots for success.

The company has recently received current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) certification.

“Having that certification is a step toward getting into the international market,” said Sengkee Ahn, vice-president, investor relations and international business development.

While there are more than 100 licensed producers of medical cannabis, he said less than 10 per cent have the cGMP certification.

No other licensed producer has received EU or Canadian GMP certification as quickly as AgMedica following the receipt of the original Health Canada licence.

In fact, the company has been quick off the mark all around being approved by Health Canada for production of cannabis in December 2017, then receiving approval for the sale of medicinal cannabis from the federal agency in June 2018, followed in August 2018 by being selected as a supplier for Ontario cannabis stores.

“That’s the fastest that we know about that has ever gone from cultivation to sales,” said AgMedica CEO Dr. Trevor Henry in a media release.

While both recreational and medical marijuana are currently in short supply, Ahn said that will be addressed as more licensed producers start ramping up production.

That’s the plan with AgMedica’s Chatham facilities.

Ahn said the company is currently at 6,000 kilograms of cannabis production annually.

“In a few months we’ll have another 20,000 kilograms capacity coming onboard,” he said.

However, Ahn advises this increased capacity will take time to build up.

While AgMedica and other licensed producers are ramping up production, Ahn said, “What does make us unique is all of our grow is indoor, and is very controlled.

“We control water, air and light, so it’s very, very high quality in a controlled environment,” he added.

He added because AgMedica “is in the medical space, the thing that’s very, very important is that we have consistent product that will allow us to have consistent outcomes.”

This increased production means AgMedica has been in expansion mode, having recently acquired a 300,000-square-foot facility in Chatham.

It is also continues to enhance its existing properties, including its 200,000-square-foot Riverview facility to accommodate an increase in cultivation capacity. The Richmond cultivation facility features 130,000-square-feet and a second Richmond site is nearly 40,000-square-feet.

The increase in production also means AgMedica needs more employees to add to its current workforce of more than 100.

“We’re growing very, very rapidly and we need additional people,” Ahn said.

He added he can see the company easily doubling its workforce in Chatham.

Ahn said people are needed in picking, packaging and quality assurance, adding training is provided.

eshreve@postmedia.com

@Chathamnews