Some of the first transdermal cannabis patches to hit Canada’s regulated market will be available soon, from acclaimed U.S.-based topicals brand Mary’s Medicinals.
Manufacturer and distributor of the products, Entourage Health Corp. (TSX-V:ENTG) (OTCQX:ETRGF) (FSE:4WE) — formerly WeedMD — said Thursday that the patches will be available on the medical market as of late September. A supply deal with the topicals-maker was announced in August 2020.
Patients registered to the producer’s Starseed platform will initially have exclusive access to the products, which are expected to hit the adult-use sector later this year.
The transdermal patches — designed to deliver cannabinoids through the skin — come in CBD, THC and one-to-one formulations.
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“With the launch of Mary’s Transdermal Patches, we are taking a major step forward in offering our clients with unique cannabis delivery methods for their self-care journey — and more critically, could offer an alternative to debilitating opioid use with a portfolio of safe and regulated cannabis delivery systems,” Entourage VP of sales and marketing Joseph Mele said in a statement.
“Our roots in medical run deep and we are fully committed to the continued expansion of our medical portfolio that now includes over 40 SKUs of innovative products developed alongside forward-thinking partners that allow us to cater to a wider range of consumers seeking a discreet interface for cannabis consumption.”
Entourage says it’s producing Mary’s Medicinals Canada products at its Aylmer, Ontario-based extraction hub, using its own cannabis biomass.
But staff are using Mary’s proprietary extraction technology, which targets CBD, THC and CBN
Entourage notes data from Deloitte suggest over 75 per cent of Canadians new to cannabis are interested in trying cannabis topicals and transdermal methods as a relief for certain indications including pain.
The company also cites a recent research report from RBC Capital Markets forecasting Canada’s 2021 concentrates and topicals market to be worth $227 million, “as cannabis-curious Canadians look to try non-intoxicating, next-generation cannabis products.”
Entourage says it continues to gather data and client feedback through its Starseed platform, which now lists over 40 product SKUs.
Also in the release, the firm says it’s completed the acquisition of CannTx Life Sciences, maker of Royal City Cannabis Co. The all-stock deal revealed in July deal is valued at $17.5 million.
nick@mugglehead.com
