Laval, Québec—Neptune Wellness Solutions announced in a press release that it has received its license to process cannabis from Health Canada.

The Health Canada license enables Neptune to handle dried cannabis, manufacture and purify cannabis extracts and cannabis oil, and sell its services to other license holders, according to the press release. Production activities are anticipated to commence shortly at Neptune’s facility in Sherbrooke, Québec.

Neptune remains on track, the press release says, to complete its capacity investment by March 2019, increasing its output from 30,000 kg of dried cannabis to 200,000 kg. They've also announced a multi-year IP licensing and capsule sale agreement with Lonza Group, which will allow Neptune to set up as a large-scale Licaps manufacturer in the Canadian cannabis sector.

Neptune also, according to the press release, is in the process of applying for authorization for sale of cannabis products from Health Canada.

Jim Hamilton, president and CEO of Neptune, said in the release, “Neptune’s long-standing scientific expertise in the formulation of natural health products supports our ability to deliver exceptional quality formulations for our business customers. We look forward to contributing to this emerging industry in our home province.”