Florence, the military plant will increase the production of therapeutic cannabis

The director: "In 2020 we will be able to increase production capacity from 150 to 300 kilos per year"

The need for medical cannabis in Italy in 2019 will reach around 1,000 kilograms per year, compared to a production capacity of around 150 kilos by the Military Chemical Pharmaceutical Plant in Florence. While waiting for the expected increase in production, the demand, which continues to grow, is met with cannabis purchased largely from Holland. But "thanks to additional funding provided in the latest budget - explains Colonel Antonio Medica , director of the Military Pharmaceutical Plant in Florence - in 2020 we will be able to increase the production capacity to 300 kilos per year".

"A tender is being awarded to identify a company that will proceed with the expansion of the greenhouses", adds the director of the Military Pharmaceuticals of Florence. To cope with the growing demand, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Health are also considering identifying one or more private partners, who could invest to increase production at the Pharmaceuticals of Florence where, moreover, there is no lack of space.

The final goal is to saturate the national demand, and perhaps even produce a surplus available for export. "We are also working in the extracts sector - he adds - because we have found a way to make an oily extract, like the one produced by every single pharmacy but made on an industrial level, thus ensuring its standardization"