An Open Letter from Bruce Linton Updating on Mettrum Transition to New Management and Implementation of Canopy Growth Operational Procedures
SMITHS FALLS, ON, Feb. 23, 2017 /CNW/ - It has been approximately three weeks since Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) took over Mettrum. Prior to closing we established a QA/QC and operational transition plan. In the first weeks, Canopy's management team has taken steps to enhance quality assurance practices and operational controls in order to bring operations up to our world class standard.
Customer safety and trust are always our top priorities, and they are particularly important following the Mettrum product recall. Mettrum products available today have been tested at third party labs over and above Health Canada's requirements, including rigorous testing for pesticides. This testing will continue, along with Canopy's high standards for operational controls to assure Mettrum customers that a recall like this will never happen again.
We have also established a detailed process map to change growing and quality assurance processes throughout the production cycle, bringing practices in-line with existing operating procedures at Tweed and Tweed Farms. This has already resulted in numerous process and personnel changes, and will be followed by infrastructure modifications. Mettrum operates two high quality facilities already, with a production footprint in Bowmanville ready to be increased by almost 200%. We are confident that bringing in proven best practices will ensure that all our products meet the highest standards to ensure patient safety and product quality.
Restoring confidence in Mettrum requires more than just changes going forward. It requires openness and transparency starting today, to ensure patients understand the recent Mettrum recall. Canopy Growth did not own Mettrum when this happened, but we will provide all the answers and information available to us.
Today, I sent an email to all Mettrum customers introducing myself and asking them to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. I also advised them of a FAQ page provided to answer questions they may have about the recall. The application of pest control products not registered for use on cannabis at Mettrum was inexcusable. However, I can assure our patients that Health Canada has correctly categorized the recall as a Type III voluntary recall, meaning "not likely to cause any adverse health consequences."
Amidst all the changes brought about by the Mettrum acquisition, we must not lose sight of why we acquired Mettrum in the first place. First off, increasing our ability to service the medical cannabis market (and potentially the future recreational market) will require a great deal of production capacity. Adding existing, operational sites with significant room to expand capacity are essential for our growth. More importantly, our company has long held the view that brand and product diversity matter to us.
At Canopy, we respect the responsibility of Health Canada to ensure that Canadians are safe and healthy. Like every brand affected in the 723 other health product recalls administered by Health Canada in 2016, Mettrum has work to do to regain customer and physician confidence. I believe we have a team in place that is up to the challenge.
We remain excited for what the future holds at Mettrum as the newest member of the Canopy Growth family.
Here's to Future Growth.
Bruce Linton,
Founder and CEO
About Canopy Growth Corporation
Canopy Growth is a world-leading diversified cannabis company, offering diverse brands and curated cannabis strain varieties in dried and oil extract forms. Through its wholly‑owned subsidiaries, Canopy Growth operates numerous state-of-the-art production facilities with over half a million square feet of indoor and greenhouse production capacity. Canopy Growth has established partnerships with leading sector names in Canada and abroad. For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com.
Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Canopy Growth Corporation, Tweed Inc., Tweed Farms Inc., Mettrum Health Corp., or Bedrocan Canada Inc. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Examples of such statements include future operational and production capacity, the impact of enhanced infrastructure and production capabilities, and forecasted available product selection. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and Canopy Growth Corp. does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities legislation.
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SOURCE Canopy Growth Corporation
Other Contacts: Jordan Sinclair, Director of Communications, [email protected], 613-769-4196; Tyler Burns, Investor Relations, [email protected], 855-558-9333 ex 122
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