The medicinal cannabis industry is now a reality in the Archipelago. Following a process that began in 2022, Nivaria Tech has obtained approval from the Aemps, placing the Canary Islands on the national map for this sector and opening doors to international opportunities.
Plant director and founder, Valeriano Rodríguez, noted that obtaining licenses and authorizations was a lengthy process, partly due to the absence of a physical Aemps delegation in the Canary Islands. The company aims to be a flagship project attracting new investments and fostering the industry's development in the region.
The authorization permits Nivaria Tech to cultivate cannabis to obtain plant material for the manufacturing and validation of medicines, distinct from permits for research or seed production.
“"Our intention is to serve as a flagship project, to attract new companies and make the development of this industry possible in the Islands."
Cultivation takes place in climate-controlled rooms with strict monitoring of temperature, humidity, and light. The climatic conditions of the Canary Islands, with stable photoperiods and high insolation, allow for up to six annual harvests using sunlight, promoting the production of active compounds like THC-V, which modulates THC's effects while retaining therapeutic benefits.
The facilities feature advanced technology, including plastics adapted for medicinal cultivation, automated systems, and specialized machinery for preparing, drying, and analyzing the flower. Cold techniques are used for disinfection without heat or radiation, preserving plant compounds. Traceability and security are paramount, with strict protocols and controlled waste management through incineration.
Obtaining the Aemps license required extreme security measures, such as a fenced perimeter, continuous video surveillance with thermal cameras, intruder detection systems, a 24-hour operational security room with armed personnel, and biometric access controls. A bunker protects the production batches.
Nivaria Tech is nearing its goal after four years of development. It must now validate its production process by obtaining three consecutive batches of stable quality, a key requirement in the pharmaceutical industry before proceeding to commercialization.
Although patients cannot yet directly access cannabis flower in Spain, Nivaria Tech produces it as raw material for extracts and active compounds, targeting the international market. The company plans to integrate the extraction process into its Canary Islands facilities to complete the production chain.
The development of this industry in the Archipelago has institutional support. The Parliament of the Canary Islands backed the establishment of the medicinal cannabis industry in May 2024, with the exception of Vox, urging the regional government to request the state executive's compliance with recommendations and proposing the Islands as a strategic hub due to their climate.
Nationally, the Council of Ministers approved a Royal Decree regulating the use of standardized cannabis preparations in compounded medicines for medical purposes, a step considered decisive for its integration into the healthcare system with scientific and sanitary control guarantees.
Scientific evidence of cannabis efficacy in conditions like spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, severe epilepsies, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and refractory chronic pain has driven Spain's commitment to its medicinal use, always under medical and pharmaceutical supervision.
