Organigram Receives Expanded Cultivation License
Health Canada-approved expansion triples production capacity, lowers cost of production, improves yields
MONCTON, Feb. 12, 2018 /CNW/ – Organigram Holdings Inc. (TSX VENTURE:OGI) (OTCQB:OGRMF) (the “Company” or “Organigram”), a leading licensed producer of medical marijuana based in Moncton, New Brunswick, is pleased to announce that it has received an expanded cultivation license from Health Canada related to its previously announced Phase 2 expansion.
The scope of the amendment includes approval of the following:
- The entire perimeter of the expanded facility, approximately 150,000 sq ft
- The first ten of Organigram’s new 23 three-level cultivation rooms
- Improved functional design to facilitate production, including a custom designed potting room, and an automated feed and watering system.
As a result of this approval, cannabis plants were moved into these new rooms on a rolling basis beginning on February 10, 2018. The Company will be in a position to begin staggered harvests from these new rooms by the third week of April. The remaining 13 rooms are expected to come on line by March 10 pending Health Canada approval.
Expansion
With the company’s unique three-level canopy growing system, the 23 planned cultivation rooms represent an additional 10,800 kg/year of production capacity increasing the Company’s capacity from approximately 5,200 kg/year to an estimated 16,000 kg/year.
This is an important moment for Organigram. We’ve spent years perfecting three-level growing technology. We have developed a world-class cannabis production facility and are proud to be able to offer our medical and adult recreational customers exceptional award winning, high quality product in 2018 and beyond.
Greg Engel, CEO
The Phase 3 expansion currently under construction and scheduled to be completed in May of 2018 will see the Company’s production increase to 25,000 kg/annum. A fully-funded Phase 4 expansion currently scheduled to start construction in April will bring the Company’s production to 65,000 kg/annum in three stages over the next two years.
Efficiency
The Phase 2 expansion also includes significant improvements and efficiencies to the Company’s cultivation and processing systems. Enhancements including a fully automated irrigation system in the Phase 2 grow rooms, automated potting, fully automated waste destruction system and automated packaging lines mean immediate and ongoing cost savings as well as increased yields.
“As a company, we are steadfast in our commitment to applying technology to the efficient production of exceptional cannabis products,” explains Engel. “Our pursuit of best-in-class processes reflects our commitment to industry leadership and unprecedented customer value.”
About Organigram Holdings Inc.
Organigram Holdings Inc. is a TSX Venture Exchange listed company whose wholly owned subsidiary, Organigram Inc., is a licensed producer of medical marijuana in Canada. Organigram is focused on producing the highest quality, condition specific medical marijuana for patients in Canada. Organigram’s facility is located in Moncton, New Brunswickand the Company is regulated by the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (“ACMPR”).
Organigram has been ranked in the top ten Clean Technology & Life Sciences Sector on the TSX Venture Exchange 50.
