SMITHS
FALLS, ON, Feb. 23,
2017 /CNW/ - It has been approximately three weeks since
Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) took over Mettrum. Prior to
closing we established a QA/QC and operational transition plan. In
the first weeks, Canopy's management team has taken steps to
enhance quality assurance practices and operational controls in
order to bring operations up to our world class standard.
Customer safety and trust are always our top priorities, and
they are particularly important following the Mettrum product
recall. Mettrum products available today have been tested at
third party labs over and above Health Canada's requirements,
including rigorous testing for pesticides. This testing will
continue, along with Canopy's high standards for operational
controls to assure Mettrum customers that a recall like this will
never happen again.
We have also established a detailed process map to change
growing and quality assurance processes throughout the production
cycle, bringing practices in-line with existing operating
procedures at Tweed and Tweed Farms. This has already resulted in
numerous process and personnel changes, and will be followed by
infrastructure modifications. Mettrum operates two high quality
facilities already, with a production footprint in Bowmanville ready to be increased by almost
200%. We are confident that bringing in proven best practices will
ensure that all our products meet the highest standards to ensure
patient safety and product quality.
Restoring confidence in Mettrum requires more than just changes
going forward. It requires openness and transparency starting
today, to ensure patients understand the recent Mettrum recall.
Canopy Growth did not own Mettrum when this happened, but we will
provide all the answers and information available to us.
Today, I sent an email to all Mettrum customers introducing
myself and asking them to reach out to me with any questions or
concerns. I also advised them of a FAQ page provided to
answer questions they may have about the recall. The
application of pest control products not registered for use on
cannabis at Mettrum was inexcusable. However, I can assure our
patients that Health Canada has correctly categorized the recall as
a Type III voluntary recall, meaning "not likely to cause any
adverse health consequences."
Amidst all the changes brought about by the Mettrum acquisition,
we must not lose sight of why we acquired Mettrum in the first
place. First off, increasing our ability to service the medical
cannabis market (and potentially the future recreational market)
will require a great deal of production capacity. Adding
existing, operational sites with significant room to expand
capacity are essential for our growth. More importantly, our
company has long held the view that brand and product diversity
matter to us.
At Canopy, we respect the responsibility of Health Canada to
ensure that Canadians are safe and healthy. Like every brand
affected in the 723 other health product recalls administered by
Health Canada in 2016, Mettrum has work to do to regain customer
and physician confidence. I believe we have a team in place that is
up to the challenge.
We remain excited for what the future holds at Mettrum as the
newest member of the Canopy Growth family.
Here's to Future Growth.
Bruce Linton,
Founder and CEO
About Canopy Growth Corporation
Canopy Growth is a world-leading diversified cannabis company,
offering diverse brands and curated cannabis strain varieties in
dried and oil extract forms. Through its wholly‑owned
subsidiaries, Canopy Growth operates numerous state-of-the-art
production facilities with over half a million square feet of
indoor and greenhouse production capacity. Canopy Growth has
established partnerships with leading sector names
in Canada and abroad. For more information
visit www.canopygrowth.com.
Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Often, but
not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use
of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is
expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not
anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases
or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could",
"would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of Canopy Growth Corporation, Tweed
Inc., Tweed Farms Inc., Mettrum Health Corp., or Bedrocan Canada
Inc. to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements. Examples of such statements include
future operational and production capacity, the impact of enhanced
infrastructure and production capabilities, and forecasted
available product selection. The forward-looking statements
included in this news release are made as of the date of this news
release and Canopy Growth Corp. does not undertake an obligation to
publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new
information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by
applicable securities legislation.
Neither the TSX Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider
(as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Exchange) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE Canopy Growth Corporation