Creating connections: educational visit to Canamedics

With the goal of promoting education as a fundamental pillar for the development of the cannabis industry, at CannabisJobs we not only offer training through our courses, but we are also the bridge between academia and the professional world, creating connections that facilitate entry into the job market. In this context, we organized a visit to the facilities of Canamedics, the first company licensed to produce medical cannabis in Catalonia, Spain. This experience has provided students of the “Expert in Agronomy and Digitalization of Cannabis” course at the University of Alicante with a unique opportunity to network and explore new possibilities in the industry.

 

Interview with Canamedics

We would like to express our special thanks to Canamedics for welcoming us in an exclusive way. The team members are top-notch professionals and, above all, extraordinary people. Their commitment to research and innovation supports Canamedics‘ goal: the production of pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis in indoor environments through highly controlled processes that minimize microbiological load and eliminate the need for irradiation of the final product. In a continuous process of learning and improvement, they are working to achieve, in the medium term, this standard of excellence consistently on an industrial scale, a valuable goal in Europe yet to be achieved.

During the visit, students had the opportunity to get a close look at the operations and challenges facing a growing company in the medical cannabis market, offering products that meet the highest EU-GMP quality standards. We also had the pleasure of interviewing Luis Comas Gómez, CEO of Canamedics, who spoke to us about his mission to offer more sustainable solutions and the importance of providing high-quality medicinal cannabis for patients. Additionally, he provided us with valuable insights into the most sought-after professional profiles, key skills, and the necessary training in this emerging sector.

Find out more in our interview below.

Do you want to see the video? Click here.

What is the experience and training of the Canamedics team?

At Canamedics, we have a diverse and highly qualified team. I (Luis Comas) am a lawyer, while Álvaro Comas, our CLO and co-founder, is a tax lawyer with 7 years of experience in a Big4, specifically at Cuatrecasas. Jordi de Dalmases, our CTQO, is a chemist who worked for 6 years at Esteve Química, as well as having accumulated 4 years of experience at Canamedics. Joaquín Dell’Acqua, our CPO, is an agricultural engineer with 6 years of experience in industrial production, managing over 60 hectares of crops. Guillermo Sierra, Chief Logistics and Facilities Officer, has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management, with 4 years of experience in logistics and another 4 in business; he joined our team a year ago. Finally, María Subirana, our Quality and Production Assistant, is a specialist in biomedicine and molecular biotechnology, and has been working with us for 2 years.

What job profiles best align with Canamedics’ needs?

We are looking for profiles similar to those who currently make up our team: people with high skills, a quick pace of learning, and a proactive and positive attitude. We are not interested in profiles with outsized egos, especially in the area of cultivation. Instead, we prefer a scientific and methodological approach. Specific training in your field is necessary, but we also value versatility. At this stage of development, we are looking for people who are not afraid to “get their hands dirty.”

Is it important to know other languages besides Spanish to work with you?

Yes, it is advisable to know languages such as Spanish, English and Catalan. German is also an interesting language to consider.

What is the academic training required for different roles in the company?

For senior roles, we seek profiles with a technical degree relevant to the specific position. For less responsible or operational roles, we may also consider candidates with professional backgrounds.

What kind of professional experience or knowledge is most valued in candidates?

We value experience in European pharmaceutical process design and control(EU-GMP), as well as technologically advanced industrial processes and cultivation(high-tech and EU-GACP). Experience in pharmaceutical quality control, highly regulated markets, and the legal medical cannabis industry is also important. In addition, teamwork skills are essential.

Does the company have a dedicated research division?

We are currently in the batch validation stage. Our entire team has been involved in research activities for several years. Although we do not currently have an active research license, we continue to investigate our production process. During the validation phase, we are integrating several studies, including: nutrition and drainage, cannabinoid curves, drying, statistical analysis of marketable residues, product specifications, production time optimization, and more. We also conduct observational studies on energy yield and the relationship between plant mass and cannabinoid and terpene concentration.

What methods do you use to ensure homogeneity in the production of your crops?

Homogeneity must be ensured both during cultivation and in the processing. We use the scientific method and the trial-and-error approach to develop ideal processes. Our suppliers are audited and approved, and receiving processes ensure that all raw materials meet agreed specifications.

We monitor crops in real time with multi-sensors, automate processes and conduct constant analysis. In addition, we have in-house production guides that standardize activities, regardless of the operator. We use inert substrates, controlled fertigation and cloning from mother plants grown in vitro, among other techniques, to ensure uniformity at all stages of cultivation.

What tools do you use to ensure traceability throughout the production process?

We use our production guides(MBRs) for each stage, operator and activity. We have implemented a digital monitoring system with electronic signatures and document tracking, supported by weekly backups. Everything is integrated into our EU-GMP quality system.

How do you believe the adoption of advanced technologies can transform the medical cannabis industry and are you considering implementing them in some specific areas?

Advanced technologies will have a positive impact on all areas of the industry, including the medicinal cannabis industry. We envision applications such as crop and process robotization, integrated digital quality systems, and more.

How do you see the evolution of the medicinal cannabis market in Spain over the next five years?

We expect access to medicinal cannabis to be regulated, making it available in community pharmacies and not just hospital pharmacies. We hope for greater inclusion of products and prescribers, along with the possibility of subsidies from Social Security in Spain as well. However, we expect progress to be slow, with more restrictive access in the early stages.

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We again thank Canamedics for their time, the coordinators of the“Expert in Cannabis Agronomy and Digitization” course at the University of Alicante in collaboration with IUESAL, and all the students who participated, contributing to the success of this educational experience. CannabisJobs continues to strengthen and create connections, building a network that promotes the growth and success of the sector, facilitating access to the job market for new generations of professionals.

 

Watch the interview on Youtube