Medicinal cannabis grown locally

A new, state-of-the art medicinal cannabis farm, operated by Cymra Life Sciences, has opened near Alstonville, and claims to be the ‘only direct Australian brand growing in sustainable organic living soil beds’.

The cannabis biotech company say they create ‘evidence-based medicines for the unmet need in the global chronic pain market’.

‘The facility, permitted by the Office of Drug Control, was made possible owing to the successful NSW Regional Jobs grant given to Cymra Life Sciences in April 2021’.

Member for Ballina, Tamara Smith MP, officially opened the facility and said, ‘The Greens are very supportive of medical cannabis’.

‘We believe that it would be a great long-term industry for regional jobs in NSW and we are very supportive of more funding to support the Australian cannabis cultivation industry and provide patients more affordable access to cannabis medications’.

Joel Hardy, CEO of Cymra, says the farm employs approximately 27 people

‘to oversee quality control, horticulture, logistics, sales, chemistry and post-harvest processing’.

Regional jobs grant

‘The regional jobs grant has given us a boost to be able to invest in infrastructure that created full time and casual jobs on the Northern Rivers. We are grateful for the NSW Government support’.

‘Cymra has a 2.4 hectare site with a 4,000sqm greenhouse alongside a processing facility, that is currently producing up to one tonne of dried, organic, sustainably grown flower per year, under the Superbly Green brand.

‘There are plans to expand the site to include more cultivation and processing capacity, as well as breeding, tissue culture, product formulation and manufacture of extracts for cannabis oils, vape oils and other formats’.

Hardy says the cannabis flowers are sold to pharmacists, who dispense the product to the patient once they have a prescription from a doctor.

‘Over three million Australians suffer from chronic pain, yet have limited options for medications, especially with opiates now being restricted by the TGA, owing to issues with efficacy and overuse’.

For more info visit www.cymra.com.au.

Paul Bibby

A much-loved fig tree next to the Brunswick Heads boat harbour has been saved from destruction – for now – by the quick thinking of a local activist.

But the stay of execution may be short lived if locals are unable to convince the landowner, William Silverman, to change his mind.

Dean Jefferys was riding his bike beside the harbour last Friday, when he saw the tree being chopped down.

He immediately intervened and managed to stop the screaming chainsaws before climbing into the branches in a bid to ensure they didn’t start up again.

‘The tree was planted 30 years ago, and was healthy with no rotten or dangerous limbs,’ Mr Jefferys said.

‘It’s only “crime” – receiving the death penalty – that I’m aware of, is that its roots were penetrating some of the sewerage pipes about 70 feet away, and a small rise in the car park where its roots have travelled.’

Mr Jefferys is now trying to convince the owner of the land, William Silverman, to preserve and protect the fig, which lost branches in the ordeal, yet is still standing strong.

Hundreds in the community are supporting the move, flocking to social media to express their shock and dismay at the potential loss of the fig.

‘This particular tree is a food source to many native birds and bats and it is also their natural habitat,’ Mr Jefferys said in an open letter to Mr Silverman.

‘People have a personal relationship with this tree and many seek the shade from this magnificent fig on a regular basis.’

‘I managed to get a copy of the [Council] permit, but not the reasons for why the permit was granted in the first place,’ Mr Jefferys said.

‘They wanted me to pay $80 for the info, which I wasn’t happy about. That information should be freely available in my opinion’.

The Echo asked Council staff to explain the reasons for its decision to grant permission. They replied, ‘Council is very aware of the importance of trees to our community, and any permits for the removal of trees are strongly considered’.

‘In the instance of the fig tree at Brunswick Heads, approval was given for the property owner to remove the fig tree because its roots were causing extensive and recurring damage to plumbing services, as well as structural damage to the surrounding car park.

‘The owner of the property is required to plant two Eumundi quandongs to compensate for the removal of the tree’.

Mr Silverman’s representatives, who manage his abandoned fish and chip shop, were contacted over the matter, but there was no reply by deadline.