“As one of the most promising medical cannabis markets in the world, Germany is a top strategic priority for Aphria,” CEO Vic Neufeld, says in a statement from the Leamington, Ont.-based global cannabis company.

The acquisition of CC Pharma—which distributes pharmaceutical products, including medical cannabis, to 13,000-plus pharmacies in Germany and throughout Europe—is helping Aphria create “a German and, ultimately, pan-European platform that brings together demand, supply and distribution,” Neufeld continues.

“Access to Aphria’s innovative products creates significant opportunities for CC Pharma’s customers to experience more medical cannabis treatment options,” adds Dr. Manfred Ziegler, managing director of CC Pharma.

The company holds 318 active German national pharmaceutical licences and 692 active EU pharmaceutical licences, as well as operates a production, repackaging and labeling facility at its headquarters in Densborn, Germany.

“Through a series of deliberate and strategic partnerships, investments and appointments over the past 18 months, Aphria is a front-runner in the German medical cannabis market,” suggests Hendrik Knopp, managing director of Aphria Germany. “One of our first steps will be to create a new division of CC Pharma dedicated to medical cannabis,” Knopp adds.

Recent strategic moves by Aphria and its wholly owned subsidiaries in Germany to develop positioning in the market include a significant supply agreement to provide CC Pharma approximately 1,200 kg of medical cannabis products, exported from Canada and Denmark to Germany; construction of state-of-the-art cannabis vaults (5,000 kg storage capacity) in Bad Bramstedt, scheduled for completion in late spring 2019; and start of construction of a research and development indoor growing facility in Neumünster to prepare for in-country cultivation, the statement notes.