The Rotary Club welcomed Ryan Jackson, General Manager of the new Folium Bioscience plant currently under development in Medicine Hat. Ryan has spent the last four years at the helm of Invest Medicine Hat and been very successful at diversifying the local economy with new industries and many new jobs. Folium Bioscience was created in 2013, and headquartered in Colorado Springs.
They are the largest vertically integrated producer, manufacturer and distributor of hemp derived phytocannabinoids in the USA. They intend to supply their unique 0.0% THC phytocannabinoid-rich hemp oil to 32 countries, to diverse industries including the supplement, cosmetic, personal care and animal heath industries.
They employ in excess of 200 people, and will add approximately 200 jobs with the startup of the Medicine Hat facility. "Not all hemp is created equal" is their slogan and they will be working to develop markets in South America from the local plant. They will be building a 100,00 sq ft extraction/purification plant and a 70,000 sq foot finished goods facility.
Several questions were asked and answered, the audience learned a lot and Ryan was thanked by Mark.