UK’s ‘Secret’ £10 Million Medicinal Cannabis Production Facility Revealed

Following its legalisation in the UK, medicinal cannabis prescriptions have seen a significant increase. As demand continues unabated, a particular company aims to significantly scale up the drug’s production. The BBC was granted entry to the facility, provided its exact whereabouts are not disclosed. Entry requires identity verification, passage through two secure gates, and ultimately, a bulletproof door. The security personnel consist of former military members. James Leavesley, a co-founder of Dalgety, stated, “We have hundreds of CCTV cameras around the place – all infrared.” The company asserts that this advanced facility is the UK’s inaugural site enabling the cultivation, packaging, and direct sale of cannabis to pharmacies from one central point. James’s initial interest in cultivating legal cannabis emerged six years prior. Despite his agricultural roots, he spent numerous years employed within the oil and gas sector. The legalisation of cannabis for medicinal purposes in the UK in 2018 drew his attention due to the evident demand for the substance. He noted, “There was a government survey showing there are 1.8 million people in the UK sourcing illicit cannabis to help alleviate their medical conditions.” During the same year, he addressed this topic during a dinner conversation with his father and a family friend. The friend disclosed an interest in entering the cannabis industry, leading them to establish a joint venture, forming Dalgety. A critical requirement, however, was finding an individual with practical experience in large-scale cannabis production. Their search led them to Canada, where the drug has been legal since 2018. James stated, “We knew we wanted to go and look outside the UK for a skilled grower and Canada has been at the forefront of this for so long.” He added, “Growing cannabis is completely different to any other crop really and we wanted somebody who had experience.” Following thorough investigation, they opted to recruit a grower named Brady Green. James mentioned that Brady had previously designed and established multiple licensed cannabis facilities in his home country, earning a reputation for his expertise. He served as a consultant for the company for three years prior to his recruitment as their head grower. Brady subsequently designed the complete operational framework, encompassing the stringent security measures necessary to safeguard the premises. James further explained, “We have various access control points, restricted access [controlling] which employees and visitors can go to certain areas.” He emphasized, “It’s really important for the amount of cannabis that we’re growing on site that the UK Home Office have comfort that we take our security measures seriously.” Notwithstanding the substantial investment made by James and his business associates, their undertaking offered no assurance of success. Legal cultivation and sale of cannabis necessitate a licence issued by the Home Office. Additionally, cannabis must adhere to specific cultivation standards and undergo testing before receiving approval for commercial distribution. However, James and his partners were persuaded of the venture’s worth, considering the robust market expansion observed in nations such as Canada, the US, and Germany. James affirmed, “We knew that the demand for the product was going to be there.” Dalgety obtained a Home Office licence for cannabis cultivation in January 2023, commencing cultivation in April of the same year. The cultivated crops were clones, meaning they were genetically identical; nevertheless, numerous batches required testing to guarantee product consistency. A total of over 600 samples were submitted to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The enterprise had invested between £8m and £10m to reach this stage, indicating significant risk. My expectation was to enter a vast chamber abundant with cannabis plants and an overpowering aroma. Conversely, I encountered a sequence of corridors resembling those in a hospital, each providing access to multiple small laboratories. James explained, “The lighting has been bespoke-made, and we actually create artificial wind in the room to ensure there are no microclimates.” The intensity of the light necessitated the provision of specially-made glasses for eye protection. James detailed that approximately 12 to 14 weeks are required to produce the final product, with two weeks allocated to the drying room. Upon opening its door, the environment inside was distinctly different, being darker and cooler. After drying, the plants undergo preparation prior to packaging. James led us into a larger laboratory containing six individuals, dressed in overalls, hair nets, and gloves. They were specifically chosen for their agricultural experience or their interest in the business. The flowers are destined for packaging and subsequent dispatch to patients. This September, James and his team obtained their second licence, granting them authorization to sell cannabis. James attributes the absence of other “all-in-one” facilities to the difficulty of acquiring both necessary licences. He commented, “It’s almost two industries combined into one, so it’s an agricultural business and it’s a medical and pharmaceutical business as well, and most people have the ability to specialise in one or the other but not both.” The company intends to launch its product in January. By then, James anticipates they will have the capacity to supply 4,000 prescriptions monthly, and Dalgety has already established partnerships with prescribers and clinics. Approximately 50,000 individuals currently use medicinal cannabis, obtaining prescriptions from 33 private pharmacies. Nonetheless, the drug is rarely dispensed through the NHS. This situation arises because not all medicinal cannabis products receive approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Approved products, where they exist, utilize only specific components of the plant. While specialist NHS doctors can prescribe unapproved products if they believe a patient would benefit, they must seek funding from NHS England for each individual case, and such requests are frequently denied. Private specialists possess the authority to prescribe products not approved by the NHS, yet this typically entails significant expense for patients. A single gram of legal medicinal cannabis in its flower form ranges in price from £5 to £10. Given an average patient’s daily consumption of 0.5g, this could amount to up to £150 each month. Illegal cannabis is commonly reported to have an average price of approximately £10 per gram. However, legal clinics also mandate regular patient check-ups, incurring annual costs of at least £180. Eligibility for a prescription via legal medicinal clinics requires patients to have first unsuccessfully attempted other treatments. The Department of Health and Social Care indicated that further research into the effects of medical cannabis is necessary before altering its prescription methods within the NHS. An NHS England spokesperson stated: “The NHS already offers several licensed cannabis-based treatments that have been proven to be clinically effective, approved by the medicines regulator and recommended by NICE. “Many doctors and professional bodies rightly remain concerned about unlicensed products, and manufacturers should engage with the UK medicines regulatory process to seek a licence and provide doctors with the confidence to use their products.”” Laura, a teacher residing in Nottinghamshire, previously acquired black market cannabis to manage several medical conditions. She explained, “Mostly musculoskeletal, but I have widespread nerve damage.” She added, “Lots of things going on, which cause me daily pain and difficulties with mobility.” Laura is an alias; she opted for anonymity due to the societal stigma associated with the drug’s use. Her painful conditions led to prescriptions for potent drugs, including ketamine. Following a referral to a specialist doctor, the use of cannabis was suggested as an option. She recounted, “I had to decide if I wanted to do something that would put my career in jeopardy or feel well.” She commenced illegal cannabis use but harbored concerns regarding both its legality and safety. She elaborated, “You’re talking about drugs you buy off the street, you don’t know what strain they are, you don’t know the strength of them.” Upon the advent of legal cannabis pharmacies, Laura sought a prescription. After experimenting with several companies, she currently utilizes Alternaleaf, a UK-based online clinic. She stated that she is unconcerned by potential side effects like impaired thinking or memory issues, as legal cannabis is cultivated in sterile environments, unlike black market products which may contain contaminants. Furthermore, she believes her usage is effectively managed because the drug is prescribed and overseen by a medical professional. However, she feels that any potential long-term adverse effects would be outweighed by the benefits. She expressed, “I wouldn’t want to be without it as I’d be in so much pain.” She added, “If I wake up late and I haven’t had any, I can start to feel the pain creeping in.” Even with the relief cannabis provides, Laura is restricted to sharing this information only with her immediate family and friends. She remarked, “I do still feel a bit funny doing it in public.” She continued, “I find myself hiding away with my portable vaporiser to fill it or open my tubs of medication. There is an issue that many think everyone who takes marijuana is a stoner.” Readers can follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Story ideas can be sent to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 0808 100 2210. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding their external linking policy is available.