Brew Dog Founder Enters the Cannabis Market
With a bold plan to inject £20 million into this venture, Martin Dickie, who co-founded the renowned alcohol and bar company with James Watt nearly two decades ago and still holds a 20% stake, is now at the helm of Waterside Pharmaceuticals.
One of the pioneering figures behind the UK craft beer phenomenon BrewDog is now setting his sights on conquering a new frontier: the realm of medical cannabis.
Last year, the Home Office granted a coveted license to cultivate medical cannabis, allowing Dickie’s vision to flourish. Waterside Pharmaceuticals boasts a state-of-the-art, tech-driven vertical farm that operates within meticulously controlled environments, emphasising sustainability at every turn.
The anticipation is palpable as the first harvest approaches from a picturesque farm nestled near Newburgh, Aberdeenshire. This initial yield is projected to produce up to 9 kilograms of medical cannabis, but ambitions soar far higher. The plan is to ramp this up to an impressive 200 kilograms this year alone, with aspirations to expand exponentially in the years to come. “We aim to become the UK market leader in medical cannabis,” asserts Mr. Dickie with conviction. “Our vision includes ambitious expansion plans that will create up to 100 new jobs within the local community and an investment of approximately £20 million over the next five years.”
Looking further ahead, he envisions a second facility harmoniously co-located with a renewable energy source, significantly reducing environmental impact while fostering job creation and diversifying the rural economy.
What is the Status of Medicinal Cannabis in the UK?
Since 2018, UK doctors have been able to prescribe cannabis-based medications for specific conditions, and statistics reveal that approximately 50,000 to 60,000 patients currently benefit from these therapies—a number that continues to grow year by year.
In this carefully orchestrated environment, the cannabis plants thrive under 12 hours of luxurious artificial light followed by 12 hours of restorative darkness, ensuring optimal growth conditions. Waterside's long-term vision includes the opening of an additional facility dedicated to scaling its operations.
Chief Operating Officer Morag Thomas, a fellow BrewDog alum, proudly touts Waterside’s “premium product,” highlighting their commitment to quality through the strategic use of pesticides and fungicides, as reported by the Times.
More From Soft Secrets:
Medical Cannabis UK - What are the rules?
Can the UK ever Become a Medical Cannabis Industry Leader?
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Liz Filmer
