Colombia Finalizes Cannabis Export Rules

Colombia finalized its regulatory checklist for the export of cannabis flower on April 1, opening the door for licensed cultivators to share some fine Colombian with the rest of the world.

Under Resolution 539, the export of dried cannabis flower will be added to all existing cannabis derivative purchase agreements with other countries, including Germany, Israel, Australia, South Africa, Portugal and Malta. The resolution puts into place the requirements and safeguards for exporting medical cannabis from the country. In addition to export quotas, the resolution requires that genetic registrations be attached to all high-THC cultivars.

As the operator of one of the largest outdoor cannabis cultivation facilities in Colombia, Toronto, ON-based Flora Growth is among the licensed growers in the nation set to benefit from the new rules. Previously, Flora was permitted to export CBD products produced at the company’s Colombian cultivation subsidiary, Cosechemos. The ability to now ship flower should boost margins, as Flora maintains a low cultivation cost of approximately 6 cents (US$) per gram of dried flower at its 254-acre farm in the mountains of Bucaramanga, Colombia.

The addition of dried flower will be adjusted into Flora’s approved export quota of 43.6 tonnes of biomass, the company said in a statement.

Jewel of the equatorial highlands
The Cosechemos facility uses only organic farming cultivation techniques and is currently capable of producing 600kg of dried cannabis daily, as well as over 10,000kg of cannabis derivatives annually. Cosechemos is ideally located near the equator to cultivate cannabis with, on average, over 12.5 hours of natural sunlight per day. It is at an elevation that results in a constant pathogen-reducing breeze, with nutrient-rich organic soil and six natural spring water deposits also assisting in growth, according to Flora.

The fully integrated Columbian facility includes onsite cryo-ethanol extraction, advanced drying systems, sterilization and cannabinoid isolation systems, and advanced testing within the onsite laboratory. Flora leverages natural, cost-effective cultivation practices to supply cannabis derivatives to its business divisions of cosmetics, hemp textiles, and food and beverage, the company said.

“Flora applauds the recent announcement by the Colombian government as we have been working diligently to have all the necessary approvals and capabilities available to produce high THC flower, including multiple cannabis strains with THC levels over 20 percent. This resolution also clears the path to export dried CBD flower to markets including the United States, Flora Growth CEO Jason Warnock said.