Hinterland siblings Rebecca and her brother Ben Risby-Jones are ready to bring Noosa-grown, sustainable medicinal cannabis to the world.
Their company, The People’s Plant, is dedicated to improving the quality and sustainability of locally grown medicinal cannabis, with a mission to make it more affordable and accessible to Australians.
The People’s Plant focuses on organic, premium-grade medicine, with five years of extensive research and development behind it.
Like others in earlier years, Rebecca was told cannabis was a gateway drug and didn’t think very highly of it.
“We heard all these negative things growing up, without hearing the positive side of what it can do, as far as being a medicine,” she said.
“I went to a conference and learnt all about the research happening and the people it’s helping and it just changed my mind completely.”
Supported by family investors, the team have conducted more than 150 crop trials at their Noosa hinterland property, refining unique cultivation techniques that offer environmental benefits.
Qualified naturopath Ben said, “Around one million Australians have a medical cannabis prescription, yet astonishingly, 70 per cent of the product is imported, which drives up costs for patients.”
“We know many patients want transparency and would prefer an organic, sun-grown, locally produced option.”
Sustainability is at the heart of their operation.
“Most global cannabis production takes place indoors or in energy-intensive greenhouses that rely on heating and artificial light,” Ben said.
“We harness the natural sunshine of Noosa’s hinterland, combining indoor and outdoor growing to produce a higher-quality medicinal product.”
To date, the company has invested more than $3 million into its operations and is now preparing for the next phase of commercialisation through a capital raise.
With plans to build a commercial-scale production facility by 2025, The People’s Plant aims to have its first high-quality medicinal cannabis products in the market by 2026.
Rebecca said Noosa will be their first point of call for distribution.
“We do have arrangements with locals here in Noosa and then we’ll grow from their outwards,” she said.
“Noosa is such a great community to be a part of. Everything from the local bookclub that you belong to, to the pharmacy staff. People reach out to each other and help each other and we’re just so excited to be a part of it.”
The People’s Plant is fully licensed and compliant with local, state, and federal regulators, ensuring cultivation and production meet the strict standards required for medicinal cannabis in Australia.
“We’re excited to have secured agreements to supply world-class cannabis-based medicine, not just across Australia but internationally as well,” Ben said.
