Colombian company CleverLeaves will more than double the cannabis growing capacity on its property in the São Teotónio area, in Odemira, from 10,000 to nearly 24,000 square metres, including a facility dedicated specifically to applied research, according to a report by Eco.

Approval to expand the facilities in the Alentejo was granted by Infarmed, with the national authority also renewing the Colombian multinational's license to cultivate, import and export pharmaceutical quality product, which had been granted for the first time last year.

Clever Leaves has already started production at the new growing facilities and expects the first products to reach the market from the second quarter of 2022. “Our Portuguese operations last year have already allowed us to establish a historic level in the global cannabis trade. With this new approval granted for the expansion of our operations, we are optimistic about what we will be able to achieve in the international market in 2022″, says CEO, Kyle Detwiler.