Releaf Group Call for Expression of Interest in New Zealand Master Franchise

Founder and CEO of Releaf Group Ltd, Gary Mackenzie, has indicated that the cannabis market in Australia and NZ is maturing and presents an optimal opportunity and timing for the company to expand and open its doors in New Zealand and continue internationally with its turn-key retail franchise operations commencing in Auckland 2023. 

A new analysis by the NZ Drug Foundation shows that only a small percentage of New Zealanders who use cannabis for medicinal purposes are accessing the product through legal channels. The analysis, based on Official Information Act requests and patient estimates calculated from the NZ Health Survey, shows that while an estimated 266,700 New Zealanders use cannabis for medicinal purposes, only 6% – around 17,000 people – accessed cannabis using a prescription under the country’s medicinal cannabis regime in 2020. The first two years saw significant growth as pent-up demand was realised (216% in 2019 and 222% in 2020). Although CBD-only products are still the most commonly prescribed forms, prescriptions of products containing only THC experienced the highest growth of 594% in 2020 and 1040% in 2021 after subsequently becoming available in 2019.

Leading the NZ launch is Releaf Group’s Chief of Staff Anthony Lucic. “There has never been a better time to get involved in medicinal cannabis. We have the determination to invigorate New Zealand patient access to medicinal cannabis and life-changing medicines. With Releaf New Zealand, medicinal cannabis services are planned to begin in 2023 with both a physical footprint and telehealth availability, the future of cannabis-based medicines is very bright with huge growth potential in a maturing market”. 

Releaf Group has made the decision to move towards a more integrated and localised environment with its New Zealand services, this will see the incoming master franchise partner and operator having greater responsibility and control for service delivery for the next phase of New Zealand expansion. This will add to the momentum already evident in the growing Releaf Group patient numbers. With Releaf Group’s International College of  Cannabinoid Medicine (ICCM), Releaf will look to expand clinicians’ knowledge base whilst growing access to the ever-growing medical sector. 

Following the evaluation of EOI responses received, Releaf Group will shortlist participants,  who will be invited to respond to the process for the Releaf New Zealand Master Franchise.

The contract is expected to be awarded on or before January 2023. 
 

For more information on the master franchise and Notice for EOI:  

anthony@releafgroupltd.com and https://releafdispensaries.co.nz