Cannatrek enters medical cannabis supply deal with Chemist Warehouse

Medical cannabis company Cannatrek has announced an exclusive supply deal with pharmacy giant Chemist Warehouse to supply them with a line of CBD medicines.

The deal will see Cannatrek supplying Chemist Warehouse with cannabis medicines designed to treat pain, anxiety, insomnia, and inflammation. The two companies will also be working together to develop a range of new cannabis products under Chemist Warehouse brands. 

This new agreement is possible under medical cannabis scheduling changes announced in December by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 

The decision allows low-dose CBD products (like CBD oil) to be purchased over-the-counter in pharmacies. The changes will apply to an approved list of products with a maximum daily dose of 150mg/day. They came into effect on February 1st, 2021. 

Cannatrek CEO Tommy Huppert believes the company’s new supply agreement represents a turning point for medical cannabis in Australia. 

The ultimate winner will be Australian consumers, who will get access to high-quality medicinal cannabis products via a visit to Australia’s largest pharmacy chain.

The agreement will see Chemist Warehouse embracing medical cannabis. Pharmacists working at the chain will undergo training on medical cannabis, including its benefits, issues, and how it can be used to manage pain, anxiety, inflammation and insomnia. 

Cannatrek will also be installing iPads in pharmacies to educate consumers about medical cannabis, its uses, and a questionnaire to determine eligibility.

Co-Founder and chairman of Chemist Warehouse Jack Gance believes that the agreement will position Chemist Warehouse as “leaders in this area”. Gance wrote in a statement from the company that CBD’s reputation has been “tarnished” over the years, but is steadily regaining trust worldwide. Gance also believes it’s important patients have access to Australian-grown products, like those produced by Cannatrek. 

Cannatrek currently grows medical cannabis in Brisbane but is currently constructing a 160,000 square metre facility in Shepparton. The facility was granted Major Project status in 2020. 

The agreement currently includes stores in Australia and New Zealand, but it may soon expand to China, Ireland and other countries with Chemist Warehouse stores. Chemist Warehouse has also agreed to make Cannatrek its sole telehealth medical cannabis provider.