We use cookies for certain features and to improve your experience. See our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy to learn more

Leafly

Shop legal, local weed.

Open
advertise on Leafly
ShopDeliveryDispensariesDealsStrainsBrandsProductsCBDDoctorsCannabis 101Social impact
  • Sign in
  • Create account
  • Strains
  • Shop
  • Shop
  • Delivery
  • Deals
  • Dispensaries
  • CBD Stores
  • Brands
  • Products
  • Learn
  • Cannabis 101
  • News
  • Leafly Learn
  • Science of cannabis
  • Doctors
  • Social impact
  • Lab partners
  • Download the Leafly App
  • Advertise on Leafly
    • Leafly.comUSA flag
    • Leafly.caCanadian flag
    • Leafly.deGerman flag
  • Help
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Strains & products
  • Industry
  • Growing
  • Health
  • Science & tech
  • Leafly USA
  • Podcasts
  • Learn
Politics

Video Footage Offers Glimpse of Australia’s Secret Medical Cannabis Crops

Joe WilsonPublished on July 18, 2017 · Last updated July 28, 2020

Just two years ago, the idea of the premier of the Australian state of Victoria sharing a video on Facebook of his cannabis crop—or just about anything cannabis-related—would have been unthinkable. But today it’s a political homerun, netting Aussie politician Daniel Andrews more than half a million views and tens of thousands of positive reactions, comments, and shares.

The video, posted to Facebook last month, offers a glimpse inside the Victorian government’s secret cannabis facility. Workers in protective clothing tend cannabis plants as they grow, then harvest and process the plants into extract.

The Victorian government was the first entity to be granted a research license for medical cannabis. It harvested the first crop in February. Due to security concerns, the government has extremely tight-lipped about the facility. The video shared by Andrews, however, makes clear that the indoor facility is sizeable and sophisticated.

A worker in protective clothing tends to plants in the Victoria state government’s top-secret cannabis cultivation site. (Courtesy Daniel Andrews/Facebook)

The same week Andrews shared the video, ABC’s Lateline aired a segment in which correspondants visited one of Cann Group’s Victorian facilities, where another medical cannabis crop is coming along. That video gives a look at Australia’s first commercial cannabis crop.

Cann Group hasn’t been growing for as long as the government, and its facility appears less spacious. The company received its commercial grow license in early March of this year, but for unknown reasons it has only recently started to grow commercially.

In fact, much remains shrouded in mystery about the grows—including their locations. The Lateline reporter begins the segment by with what feels like an ominous warning: “We can’t show you where we ended up or how we got in. Suffice to say you wouldn’t have a clue from outside what’s going on in here.” He then puts on pants with their pockets sewn shut so samples don’t walk out with the news crew.

Despite a slower than expected start, Cann Group is clearly proud of its crop. The company has been working closely with the Victorian government, and CEO Peter Crock recently traveled with Victorian Minister of Agriculture and of Regional Development Jaala Pulford to Canada to tour a more established cannabis facility, owned by Aurora Sky, that produces 7,000 kilograms (nearly 15,500 pounds) of cannabis every year.

Aurora Sky, a Canadian company with a 19.9% stake in Cann Group, has been selling cannabis only since the beginning of 2016. It was able to invite foreigners such as Crock and Pulford because, unlike Australia, Canada doesn’t shroud its cannabis facilities in secrecy. Aurora Sky’s new production center, we know, is nearby to Edmonton International Airport.

Both Crock and Pulford are hoping to learn from Canadian expertise as Australia gets closer to the launch of a large-scale medical cannabis program. Sowing the right seeds now—literally and figuratively—will let the state of Victoria reap significant benefits over the next few years.

More Australia Coverage

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries
Australiagrowing newslegalizationmedical marijuana
Joe Wilson
Joe Wilson
View Joe Wilson's articles

The latest in Politics

  • How US import tariffs are impacting cannabis prices and products image
    How US import tariffs are impacting cannabis prices and products
    Leafly Staff
  • Ohioans must activate to defend cannabis freedoms from lawmakers image
    Ohioans must activate to defend cannabis freedoms from lawmakers
    David Downs
  • Montanans must activate to protect legalization in 2025 image
    Montanans must activate to protect legalization in 2025
    David Downs
  • Analysis: Don’t hold your breath for legalization under Trump 2.0 image
    Analysis: Don’t hold your breath for legalization under Trump 2.0
    David Downs
Get good reads, local deals, and strain spotlights delivered right to your inbox.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.



Stay In Touch

Receive updates on new products, special offers, and industry news.

Something went wrong, please try again.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Leafly mobile app
Get high for less.
Download the Leafly app.
Download Leafly: Marijuana Reviews on the App StoreDownload Leafly Marijuana Reviews on Google Play

Business Solutions
  • List your store
  • List your CBD store
  • List your brand
  • List your practice
  • Business log in

About Leafly
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Investor relations
  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Accessibility

Dispensaries in
  • Los Angeles
  • Seattle
  • Portland
  • San Francisco
  • Toronto
  • Detroit

Privacy & Terms
  • Terms of use
  • Commercial terms of use
  • Privacy policy
  • Do not sell my personal information

* Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice.


© 2025 Leafly, LLC
Leafly and the Leafly logo are registered trademarks of Leafly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.