World's Largest-Ever Licensed Cannabis
Facility; Second New Aurora Cannabis Facility to Receive a
License in the Last Three Months
TSX: ACB
EDMONTON, Jan. 29, 2018 /CNW/ - Aurora Cannabis Inc.
("Aurora") (TSX: ACB) (OTCQB: ACBFF) (Frankfurt: 21P; WKN: A1C4WM) today announced
that the Company has received a cultivation license from Health
Canada for Aurora Sky, the Company's 800,000+ square foot hybrid
greenhouse facility, under construction at the Edmonton International Airport. Aurora Sky
will be the world's most technologically advanced and largest
capacity purpose-built cannabis facility, focused on the
mass-cultivation of ultra-low cost, high-quality cannabis.
Aurora Sky, the Company's third licensed facility, will be
capable of producing in excess of 100,000 kg of cannabis per year.
The world's only cannabis facility located on the property of an
international airport, Aurora Sky possesses numerous strategic
advantages, including ample low-cost power, water and gas,
excellent security, unrivaled access to transportation, logistical
services, immediate access to international customs, as well as air
and ground domestic and international courier services.
The facility, designed by recently acquired Larssen Ltd, now
part of ALPS ("Aurora Larssen Projects Ltd"), combines proven
best-in-class horticultural technologies, never previously deployed
together in a single agricultural facility, making it not only the
most advanced cannabis facility in the world but the most advanced
greenhouse of any kind. Aurora Sky is designed to operate with
unprecedented automation and to deliver optimized yields, plant
health and product quality. The Health Canada license allows Aurora
to begin cultivation immediately. Within the next week, the Company
intends to commence transfer of its award-winning genetics from its
Aurora Mountain facility in
Cremona, Alberta, to start the
first growing cycle at Aurora Sky. First harvest is targeted for
the second calendar quarter of 2018.
"The licensing of Aurora Sky is a game changing milestone for
the cannabis industry and an exciting inflection point in Aurora's
corporate development," said Terry
Booth, CEO. "This is the world's largest cannabis facility
ever to be licensed. It marks the beginning of a rapid production
ramp-up that will see us produce over 100,000 kg of cannabis per
year at this facility alone" said Terry
Booth, CEO. "This is our second new facility to receive a
cultivation license in three months - a true testament to Aurora's
industry-leading ability to execute. The additional cultivation
capacity will allow us to further expand our domestic and
international market share very quickly, and is expected to
significantly accelerate revenue growth this year."
Mr. Booth added, "I am incredibly proud of our team, our
suppliers and contractors, and grateful to the Edmonton International Airport, Leduc County,
and the Province of Alberta for
their continued support, which has enabled Aurora to achieve this
milestone, on a very complex project. We now look forward to
immediately scaling up production to meet the massive demand
anticipated with the pending legalization of adult consumer use and
the continued growth of Aurora's international medical
markets."
Dieter Macpherson, Vice President
of Production, said, "We're setting and successfully meeting
aggressive timelines to construct our facilities and achieve Health
Canada licensing. As with all Aurora facilities, we have adopted
best practices in design and technology to ensure Aurora Sky will
meet European Union Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards –
the highest production standards in the world. This will enable us
to service both domestic and international markets with very high
volumes of GMP certified cannabis products."
About Aurora
Aurora's wholly-owned subsidiary, Aurora Cannabis Enterprises
Inc., is a licensed producer of medical cannabis pursuant to Health
Canada's Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations
("ACMPR"). The Company operates a 55,200 square foot,
state-of-the-art production facility in Mountain View County,
Alberta, known as "Aurora
Mountain", and a second 40,000 square foot high-technology
production facility known as "Aurora Vie" in Pointe-Claire, Quebec on Montreal's West Island. Aurora is also
currently constructing an 800,000 square foot production facility,
known as "Aurora Sky", at the Edmonton International Airport, as well as
completing a fourth facility in Lachute,
Quebec utilizing its wholly owned subsidiary Aurora Larssen
Projects Ltd.
Aurora also owns Berlin-based
Pedanios, the leading wholesale importer, exporter, and distributor
of medical cannabis in the European Union. The Company offers
further differentiation through its acquisition of BC Northern
Lights Ltd. and Urban Cultivator Inc., industry leaders,
respectively, in the production and sale of proprietary systems for
the safe, efficient and high-yield indoor cultivation of cannabis,
and in state-of-the-art indoor gardening appliances for the
cultivation of organic microgreens, vegetables and herbs in home
and professional kitchens.
In addition, the Company holds approximately 17.23% of the
issued shares in leading extraction technology company Radient
Technologies Inc., and has a strategic investment in Hempco Food
and Fiber Inc., with options to increase ownership stake to over
50%. Aurora is also the cornerstone investor in two other licensed
producers, with a 22.9% stake in Cann Group Limited, the first
Australian company licensed to conduct research on and cultivate
medical cannabis, and a 17.62% stake in Canadian producer The Green
Organic Dutchman Ltd., with options to increase to majority
ownership.
Aurora's common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol
"ACB".
On behalf of the Boards of
Directors,
AURORA CANNABIS
INC.
Terry
Booth
CEO
This news release includes statements containing certain
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable
securities law ("forward-looking statements"), including, but not
limited to, statements with respect to the completion of Aurora
Sky. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by
words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend",
"believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential",
"proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain
events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are
only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the
conclusions or making the projections contained in the
forward-looking statements throughout this news release.
Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates
of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject
to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that
could cause actual events or results to differ materially from
those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is
under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or
obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as expressly required by applicable law.
Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that
term is defined in the policies of Toronto Stock Exchange) accept
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
SOURCE Aurora Cannabis Inc.