New Seed Bank Coming to Europe

Franchise Global Health announced in a press release its Danish subsidiary, Rangers Pharmaceutical, will become the first legal, registered seed bank in Copenhagen, Denmark. Last year, the bank was audited at £6 million.

The seed bank has at disposal 286 strains, including 19 winners of Cannabis Cups. 

The company's CEO, Clifford Starke, said in a press release statement on April 28, "Our goal is to become Europe's most trusted source of high-quality EU-GMP cannabis. This will be achieved in part by establishing our seed bank as a source for high-quality, Cannabis-Cup winning genetics.

"Essentially this is 30 years of IP from landraces all around the world with strong genetic heritage including from Thailand, Colombia and other highly sought after sources of origin," Starke said. 

"The seed bank, which is arguably the largest globally, and the 286 strains held within, including several world-class genetics and winners of 19 Cannabis Cups, is a key component to Franchise Global's IP strategy and exemplifies Franchise Global's long-standing heritage to premium quality. The seed bank is licensed to store, sell and export cannabis seeds globally under legal international trade frameworks and import/export permits," says the company in a statement.

The statement adds: "Franchise Global has decided to offer a number of strains to the market and has subsequently signed numerous seed purchase orders and strategic agreements with many emerging cannabis cultivators and wholesalers to further expand global commercialisation opportunities."

According to the press release, Franchise Global will retain its most distinguished strains for its internal flower production for global markets. 

Seed banks usually offer seeds with a high rate of germination. Seeds are traditionally bred to increase the likelihood of female plants, which is essential for growing THC-rich flowers. Overall, cannabis seed banks store autoflowering, feminised and regular seeds. 

Franchise Global has already secured licenses in Germany to import and distribute cannabis, including a 90,000 square foot EU-GMP-certified processing facility. 

The company has an early foothold in the heart of Europe, where all indications are that the budding market is experiencing a year-to-year growth, with promises high on expanding legalisation. EU members such as Luxembourg and Malta are leading the way in this regard. 

Nevertheless, legalisation is also being established in other European countries. Denmark permanently authorised licensed companies to produce and export medical cannabis as of last year, which is already proving to attract foreign companies to the country. Germany's new government has pledged to legalise cannabis for adult use after doing more scientific research. 

With expanding legalisation, the promise of more legal seed banks and other cannabis operators is imminent in Europe.