Europe’s largest rose greenhouse gets go-ahead to start medicinal cannabis cultivation

Until recently, the municipality of Garray in Spain was home to Aleia Roses, Europe’s largest rose greenhouse. When the company went into liquidation one year ago, more than 200 employees lost their jobs. Ondara, the firm that acquired the company, made the decision to convert the greenhouse to a medicinal cannabis facility. Ondara is a subsidiary of Full Moon Investments (FMI), a US venture capital company dedicated to connecting investors with cannabis producers.

The company has just received the green light from the Spanish Medicines Agency (AEMPS) to cultivate three hectares of land and produce medical cannabis on the site. The former rose greenhouse has already been prepared for the change from rose to cannabis crops. Expansion is on the cards in the future, but for now, the remaining 11 hectares of the greenhouse will receive cleaning and maintenance. The firm has identified pharmacists in Germany or the United Kingdom as potential clients, with the possibility of supplying medicinal cannabis to pharmacists throughout Europe.

The Mayor of Garray, María José Jiménez Las Heras, has stated that the takeover by Ondara will result in the creation of jobs that will be embraced by the local community. Heras also commented that the move will convert the municipality from representing a benchmark in roses to a benchmark in medicinal cannabis.

FMI has committed to the reorientation and technical training of former Aleia employees to work with cannabis. The staff will have the opportunity to be trained in the skills required for cultivating cannabis crops. In addition, the company will hire new cannabis professionals. The total investment for the project has been estimated at six million euros.