Paul Manning from Helius Therapeutics joins host Darcy Ungaro and 'Pumpkin' to discuss 'Big Pharma' disruption and the up and coming Potconomic Revolution
Paul Manning from Helius Therapeutics joins host Darcy Ungaro and 'Pumpkin' to discuss 'Big Pharma' disruption and the up and coming Potconomic Revolution.
A thick cloud’s slowly dissipating on a social and economic opportunity for NZ. As little as 3 years ago, it would have been ridiculous to suggest that the consumption of cannabis would soon be socially acceptable. Wow - look where we are now! 89% of Kiwi’s are now in support of cannabis reform.
This is as much about social reform as it is about translating a $1.3 billion black market industry into legitimate taxable activity. From potheads to solicitors, we’re all starting to finally realise that perhaps the harm of this drug is nothing compared to the harm of opioids and alcohol. Recreational use aside, medical use of cannabis could, and perhaps should, displace at least some of the more harmful treatments for pain, and other ailments, currently available in New Zealand.
A study in 2016 by the ministry of health revealed that around 235,000 New Zealanders are using cannabis for medical purposes. Now, I wonder how many would really admit they’re using an illegal substance? Let’s be honest, this number is far higher. At a gram a day, assuming $15 per gram, that’s a fair bit of revenue falling into the back pocket of the black market. Could there be an easy way to suck a bit of life out of a trade that does more harm than the product they peddle? That’s almost $400m of annual tax revenue that could help pay for some of the $655m needed each year to treat alcohol misuse!
This is part one of a two part series that we’ve recorded with Paul Manning, one of the directors and co-founders of Helius Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on medicinal cannabis research and development.
Paul Manning is a New Zealand Young Entrepreneur of the Year and one of the country’s foremost leaders in the advertising and marketing sector.
Starting out as an entrepreneur at 22, Paul went on to build New Zealand’s largest independent communications agency. He later sold the company to global giant, Ogilvy & Mather. He has spent 15 years consulting to local and central government and advising major brands across every sector, including healthcare, pharmacy and agriculture.
Paul recently left his career running major communications agency, 99, to co-found the New Zealand-based bitotech startup, Helius Therapeutics – a company focused on the cultivation, research and manufacturing of medicinal cannabis products. Paul and the team have just raised $15m in series A capital, and are now leading this nascent industry in New Zealand.
Where to find Paul www.helius.co.nz
Where to find Darcy Ungaro:
Ungaro &Co (registered) financial advisers https://www.ungaro.co.nz
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