FROM fuel to pharmaceuticals - that is the move Irish electricity group Bord na Mona is looking to take as it eyes a greener future.
Since 1946 the company has been harvesting peat from bogs around the Emerald Isle and using it to generate electricity for Irish towns and villages, but is now seeking to reap an alternative crop - cannabis.
"The growth of medicinal cannabis is being considered to see if it fits with the company's new low-carbon, sustainable business model," a spokesperson told the Irish Independent.
The firm revealed it has already planted trial crops of a number of other herbs including yarrow, plantain marshmallow and vervain in an area of reclaimed bog, in the last two weeks.
Should the crops be successful, the company hopes to become a supplier to the health food and pharmaceutical sectors.
"The herbs themselves are species typically grown on peatland," the spokesperson said.
"The trials will test if they can be produced in a sustainable commercial way for supply to the pharma or broader health sectors," said a company spokesman.
A trial cannabis crop has not been planted, as the company would have to undergo an arduous licensing and regulatory process before it could grow a commercial crop.
However, pending the success of the initial herbs the company is believed to be pondering the opportunities of growing medicinal cannabis as part of its "Brown to Green Strategy".
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 28 May 19
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