Beckington isn’t the first place you would imagine to be at the centre of a cutting-edge industry, but due to a change in recent government legislation and the drive behind one Beckington-based family business, that’s exactly what is happening.
George Botanicals, founded in September 2017, manufactures and processes hemp-based products containing CBD on its farm in Beckington. When the government changed its policies on the use of hemp and cannabis-based products, Geremy Thomas, a successful serial entrepreneur and Beckington resident, saw an opportunity to bring this age-old product back to the present.
After ensuring all the required legalities were in place Geremy, together with his son George and their team, were able to be one of a limited number to be issued a UK Home Office growing licence to grow hemp on his 160-acre farm in Beckington. As of yet, the hemp currently grown hasn’t been able to be used in the products being manufactured on site, but that is looking to change over the coming months as it is currently in a testing period.
George Botanicals has developed a range of CBD oil drops of varying strengths, which are available to purchase online via their website. The business has grown from two to 12 staff in just nine months and is showing no sign of stopping there. It was then acquired by the investment vehicle Sativa Investments PLC. Sativa Investments are the first UK-listed cannabis investment vehicle of its kind.
The final piece of the puzzle dropped into place when Sativa Investments PLC introduced the pioneering cannabis and chemical testing facility by developing PhytoVista Laboratories, which is also based on-site at the Beckington family farm. PhytoVista Labs can test everything coming in and out of the facilities to ensure the product being produced is of the highest quality available anywhere in the world.
CBD or cannabis-based products have been in the news for a variety of reasons over the past few months. These stories include those surrounding long-term seizure sufferers Billy Caldwell and Alfie Dingley and that of the Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who back in early October announced that he was reviewing the legislation allowing cannabis to be prescribed by doctors for use in the UK.
So, although hemp has historically been a widely-used resource that dates back as far as medieval times, it is once again being treated with the respect it deserves in modern day treatments. George Botanicals Ltd continue to strive to be a major manufacturer and supplier of CBD products right here in the UK.
There is still a long way to go, but the steps taken so far help to ensure that George Botanicals has the means to remain at the forefront of this ever-changing industry. For more details, visit www.georgebotanicals.com (Discount Code: Frome10)
