Medical cannabis in Denmark
Medical cannabis in Denmark

case

Bedrocan chooses Denmark as its platform for expansion to European and global markets

case

Bedrocan chooses Denmark as its platform for expansion to European and global markets

As a pioneer in the burgeoning European medical cannabis industry since 2003, Bedrocan has developed methods for standardized production, created and validated new analytical tools, and contributed greatly to the base of knowledge on the applications of medical cannabis. 

When

As additional countries implement medical cannabis programs, Bedrocan sought to establish a second production site to keep up with demand and chose Denmark as its next major cultivation hub. Its facility will be located in Køge and built to EU-GMP standards, generating 40 jobs in production, processing, and quality control.    

Building on deep connections to the Danish ecosystem

The move to establish a cultivation asset in Denmark builds on a long-standing relationship with Denmark, where Bedrocan has established strong connections to the Danish ecosystem. Bedrocan products were the first products available under the Danish medical cannabis trial program, which started in 2018. This has led Bedrocan to invest in a major study on refractory neuropathic pain, led by the Centre for Clinical Research at Regionshospital Nordjylland, and to participate in various events, such as the Symposium on Medical Cannabis co-hosted by the Danish Technological Institute and Invest in Denmark. 

“Denmark is developing a medical cannabis industry and we are happy to be contribute with our experience from the Netherlands. Denmark is a country with a strong heritage in commercial horticulture but also a world class Life Science ecosystem and active network of clinical researchers and doctors interested in learning more about medical cannabis. It has been great to connect with many of these partners. Bedrocan has decades of experience but we know there is more work to do. Denmark offers us the opportunity to take the sector even further.”

Ole Heil

Director of Communications and Government Affairs, Bedrocan

Significant added value for the entire ecosystem 

The experience of the Netherlands provides significant lessons for the Danish ecosystem as Denmark emerges as one of the leading European centres for medical cannabis, attracting investment from across the globe. 

“We are pleased to see Bedrocan deepen its relationship with Denmark by establishing a cultivation facility in Denmark, near the dynamic business hub of Køge. The Danish ecosystem can benefit significantly from the expertise, experience, and collaboration models that Bedrocan has developed over more than two decades in the European medical cannabis sector.”

Anne Hougaard

Director at Invest in Denmark

Denmark offers attractive framework conditions for the medical cannabis industry 

Bedrocan carried out deep due diligence before ultimately selecting Denmark as a site for its second European production hub. With support from Invest in Denmark, Bedrocan undertook a series of site visits and meetings with key partners, solutions providers, and stakeholders. 

“We were really encouraged by the close collaboration with Invest in Denmark and especially the networks they helped us to access. We had all sorts of questions, from everything to do with HR, taxation, opportunities for financing, and access to reliable energy supply. We are very cautious in our planning, and this due diligence process had a lot of moving parts. But ultimately, we feel confident in our decision to establish in Denmark. The infrastructure is top notch and the relationships we have established have been invaluable.”

Marc Meulenberg

Engineer, Bedrocan 

Denmark has attracted significant interest from larger manufactures in the Life Sciences and other sectors where a combination of advanced manufacturing knowledge, reliable access to energy, and transparent business and regulatory processes are crucial. 

“Denmark is able to offer resilient and sustainable framework conditions for manufacturing in terms of green and stable energy supply, security, supply chains and access to skilled labour. Exactly these aspects have been very important for Bedrocan in their site search and the site in Køge precisely meets this demand”.  

Björn Snorri Gudmundsson Bøg

Special Advisor, Invest in Denmark

The Danish medical cannabis industry benefits from a commitment to research

Denmark has emerged as one of Europe’s leading hubs for medical cannabis, with an open regulatory model that does not place a limit on the number of cultivators nor on the production volume for producers. Producers are able to establish direct commercial relationships with distributors in other markets, and the Trade Council offers support for companies in the sector that hope to tap into new markets across Europe.

Since 2018, Denmark has attracted significant investment in the medical cannabis sector. In 2022, a permanent regulatory framework was established which has further accelerated development in the industry and has led to investment in cultivation but also plant breeding, testing and analysis, downstream processing, and clinical research.

The addition of Bedrocan to the Danish ecosystem will have significant impacts for the future of the sector. 

 “We started this company to help patients. From that perspective Bedrocan is deeply committed to research on all areas of medicinal cannabis, from cultivation through to processing and methods for analysis. Bedrocan takes a pharmaceutical approach, and believe this is the only way to operate. We have made major progress in developing standardized, safe products for patients. Establishing a second production site, here in Denmark, will allow us to provide patients across Europe with our standardized products. And where we really hope to make greater impact is in supporting the active networks of researchers worldwide – and of course here in Denmark – that are investigating the clinical applications of medicinal cannabis for various types of conditions. There is still a lot of work to be done, and our decision to establish in Denmark will go a long way towards meeting our objectives.”

Tjalling Erkelens

Founder, Bedrocan 

get in touch

Want to learn more about medical cannabis in Denmark?

We provide free-of-charge confidential and tailor-made solutions for foreign companies looking to set up a new business in Denmark or expand an existing one. Please contact one of our experts here: 

Copenhagen

  • Sarina Lohmann

    Title: Special Advisor – Maritime and transport – Analysis & Partnerships

    Area: Copenhagen

    Phone: +4533920423

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