As Canadian cannabis companies increasingly look to expand in European markets, the Canadian company, Tilray, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the launch of a campus in Portugal.
Located in Cantanhede, Coimbra, the facility just completed a successful indoor harvest that was celebrated with a tour featuring local government officials and Canadian healthcare professionals.
The €18 million campus features research rooms, outdoor and indoor grow space, and cultivation and packaging areas for distributing medical marijuana.
Tilray’s Chief Executive, Brendan Kennedy, commented on the ribbon-cutting ceremony and facility tour:
“We’re thrilled to celebrate another milestone as we expand our global presence and pioneer the future of the cannabis industry. We are grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received from the city of Cantanhede. We’re looking forward to utilizing Tilray’s EU campus to serve medical cannabis markets with high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade products.
“Last month, Tilray announced plans to double the workforce at the Portugal campus by bumping up to 100 employees to staff the 250,000 sq. ft. facility. That milestone has now been hit, with the company reporting triple digits for current hiring numbers.
“In addition to the facility in Cantanhede, Tilray has focused on international expansion by forming an advisory board with political figures from Portugal, America, Germany, and Australia. That board is currently advising the company on expanding into countries where cannabis harvesting was just legalised, such as Germany, and where it is expected to be legalised federally in the coming years, such as the U.S.
Tilray isn’t the only cannabis company to see expansion opportunities in the European Union.
Portugal, Germany and Malta all have seen Canadian licensed producers moving in to ramp up operations for European distribution.
