World-leading cannabis company goes organic

The largest cannabis producer in Australasia, Puro, has been granted BioGro Organic status for its outdoor cultivation.

It makes the Marlborough producer, with farms in Kēkerengū and up the Wairau Valley, the only organic cannabis grower in New Zealand and Australia and one of the largest producers of organic medical cannabis in the world.

Puro managing director Tim Aldridge says they undertook the two-year organic certification process, which scrutinises every aspect of their operation, because it’s the right thing to do.

“Importantly, it also provides Puro a huge point of difference in global export markets, as we take New Zealand cannabis to international buyers,” says Tim.

It’s also good business.

Organically certified cannabis products are selling at a premium of up to 90 per cent in established overseas markets, compared to similar non-organic products.

“We are the only organic medical cannabis producer in New Zealand or Australia and one of only a handful of commercial medical cannabis operations with an internationally-recognised organic certification like BioGro, so this achievement puts Puro in a very elite group globally” says Tim.

The organic status was granted for Puro’s outdoor growing site at Kēkerengū, on the Kaikōura Coast, by BioGro, New Zealand's largest and best-known certifier for organic produce and products.

Puro has been working with BioGro for the last two years to become certified as organic, an achievement Tim says is a testament to the work and commitment of the Puro team.

Puro quality and compliance manager Wendy Tillman says Puro’s commitment to growing organically hasn’t been without challenges.

“We are a very new industry here in New Zealand and one of very few organic growers worldwide, so we’ve had to break new ground in terms of finding effective and appropriate products and processes that do the job while fitting our organic approach.

“This has included exploring how organic fertilisers can help provide the nutrients our plants need and introducing specific predator species on site to control the pests that threaten our plants, and so, reducing the need to use pesticides,” says Wendy.

Growing organically has been part of Puro’s kaupapa since Puro began, with the company investing heavily in its organic production systems.

“Our vision has been to set the standard for a medical cannabis industry that is organic, sustainable, and environmentally conscious,” says Tim.

Wendy says to achieve the BioGro Organic certification Puro had an in-depth look at every system and process at the Kēkerengū site, from germination to growing and then through to the processing and packaging, so the end product retains its organic status.

Organic Aotearoa New Zealand Chairman Chris Morrison has visited Puro’s Kēkerengū site. He says Puro is an exemplar of a company working with nature, creating high-value organic products that consumers around the world are willing to pay a premium for.

“Puro are pioneers in the medical cannabis industry. With their smart technologies, internationally-recognised team and organically focused research and development workstreams, Puro is building a depth of knowledge that will benefit the wider horticultural industry, providing opportunities for agricultural diversification and regional economic growth,” says Chris.

Puro’s focus is now on its indoor growing facilities and research centre at Waihopai, near Blenheim, with a vision to commence organic certification for these facilities in the near future.