“Cannabis is a complex and highly valuable horticultural crop. If we’re serious about building a thriving local industry, we need to learn from the global market’s successes — and mistakes — and apply those lessons here in Australia.”

A Tasmanian horticulturalist has brought global insights home to help shape the future of Australia’s fast-growing cannabis industry — from high-tech greenhouses in Canada to regulatory frameworks in Israel and Portugal.

Max Edgley, 2022 Nuffield Scholar and Horticultural Scientist at Tasmanian Botanics Pty Ltd, travelled to 16 countries to investigate how cannabis is cultivated at scale — and how Australia can build a robust, efficient, and competitive industry as demand for medicinal cannabis accelerates.

Supported by the JM Roberts Charitable Trust and the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, Max’s research covered cultivation strategies, postharvest processing, product trends, and legislation across Europe, North America, and Israel — offering practical recommendations to guide Australian producers and policymakers.

 “The Australian cannabis industry is worth around $500 million today and growing fast — but we’re at a crossroads,” Max says. “We can either build a sustainable, well-regulated industry that supports local producers, or risk repeating the overinvestment and market crashes we’ve seen overseas.”

 His research points to the importance of fit-for-purpose cultivation models, including the strategic use of semi-closed greenhouses, better postharvest systems, and the development of a bespoke cultivation framework that supports quality without excessive compliance burdens.

 “Australia has all the ingredients for success — world-class horticultural knowledge, a favourable climate, and a strong pharmaceutical sector,” Max says. “But right now, imported product dominates the market because of the regulatory and cost barriers faced by local growers.”

A large, mid-tech cannabis greenhouse in Canada

Max also warns that overregulation and poorly designed tax structures — as seen in Canada and parts of the USA — have slowed the growth of legal markets and allowed illicit trade to persist. He believes Australia has a unique opportunity to design a smarter system from the outset.

 “We need a framework that supports quality, consistency, and innovation — but doesn’t make it impossible for local cultivators to get started,” he says.

 His report includes a deep dive into international cultivation technologies, product trends (including pre-rolls, extracts, and value-added formats), and the future of Australia’s market in both medicinal and potential adult-use contexts.

Max’s full report is now available on the Nuffield Australia website, alongside a video of his presentation at the 2024 Nuffield National Conference in Launceston, providing further insights into his research and findings.