Aurora Deepens Roots in ANZ with Major Medical Cannabis Expansion

EDMONTON, AB – February 11, 2026 – Global medical cannabis leader Aurora Cannabis Inc. today announced a significant expansion of its product portfolio in Australia and New Zealand, signaling a major strategic push into one of the world's fastest-growing cannabis regions. The move introduces a suite of new high-potency flower and resin cartridge products designed to meet the evolving needs of patients and prescribers.

In New Zealand, the company is launching two high-THC flower products, Big Wave™ (26% THC) and Night Ride™ (29% THC), with a balanced THC/CBD strain, Half Moon™, slated for release early next fiscal year. Simultaneously, Australian patients will gain access to four new high-THC resin cartridges: Chemango™ Kush, Cosmic Cream™, Lunar Express™, and Soul Train Haze™, all boasting a potent 780mg/g of THC.

This portfolio enhancement underscores Aurora's commitment to the Oceania region, a key pillar in its global growth strategy. The company aims to solidify its market leadership by providing a more diverse range of science-backed, high-quality medical options.

"With Australia being one of our largest international medical cannabis market, both Australia and New Zealand remain a top priority for Aurora, and we are deeply committed to our continued investment across the region," stated Stanley Sack, Interim Managing Director of MedReleaf Australia, in the company's announcement. "As patient needs evolve, so does our responsibility to deliver high‑quality, diversified product formats that support prescribers in delivering better care."

A Strategic Play in a Booming Market

Aurora's expansion is not just a product launch; it's a calculated move in two of the most dynamic medical cannabis markets globally. Australia's market, in particular, has seen explosive growth, with projections suggesting it could surpass US$1.2 billion by 2028, potentially outpacing major European markets. Aurora, through its subsidiary MedReleaf Australia, is already a formidable force, holding an estimated 20-25% market share, second only to competitor Tilray Brands. This launch is a clear effort to close that gap and capture further growth.

Industry analysts note that the Australian market's expansion has been fueled by a significant rise in prescriptions and greater acceptance among healthcare professionals, largely facilitated by the growth of telehealth clinics. With over 2.8 million units sold in the first half of 2024 alone, the demand is undeniable. Aurora's introduction of resin cartridges—a discrete, high-potency format—taps directly into a sophisticated patient base seeking powerful and convenient treatment options for conditions like chronic pain and anxiety.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's market, though smaller, is on a steep upward trajectory, projected to more than quadruple to nearly US$48 million by 2030. Patient numbers there have surged, driven by private cannabis clinics that have streamlined access. Critically, market data from New Zealand shows a distinct shift in demand towards high-THC flower products, especially among younger patients. Aurora's launch of Big Wave™ and Night Ride™, with THC levels approaching 30%, directly addresses this specific market trend, positioning the company to meet patient demand head-on.

Raising the Bar with Global Quality Standards

A central pillar of Aurora's strategy is its unwavering focus on quality and safety, a crucial differentiator in the highly regulated medical field. The company emphasizes that all new products are manufactured in its EU-GMP and TGA-GMP certified facilities in Canada. This isn't just a quality claim; it's a critical compliance and trust-building measure.

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification is the gold standard for pharmaceutical production, ensuring products are consistently produced and controlled to the highest quality standards. EU-GMP is particularly rigorous and is a prerequisite for accessing many lucrative international markets. In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) now mandates that all imported medical cannabis products must be GMP-certified, a rule implemented to protect patients and standardize quality. By manufacturing to these exacting standards, Aurora not only complies with regulations but also provides a powerful assurance of safety, consistency, and efficacy to both prescribers and patients.

This commitment to quality extends to the very genetics of the plants. The new strains are derived from Aurora's proprietary genetics program, a long-term investment that has produced unique cultivars with desirable traits like high potency, specific cannabinoid profiles, and disease resistance. This vertical integration—from genetic research to final GMP-certified product—allows the company to control the entire value chain, ensuring a reliable supply of premium medical cannabis that patients can depend on.

Diversified Products for Personalized Patient Care

The specifics of the new product lineup reveal a nuanced understanding of patient needs. The introduction of three distinct Indica-dominant resin cartridges (Chemango™ Kush, Cosmic Cream™, Lunar Express™) and one Sativa-dominant option (Soul Train Haze™) in Australia provides prescribers with a toolkit of options for different symptoms and times of day. Indica-dominant strains are often sought for their relaxing and sedative effects, beneficial for pain, insomnia, and anxiety, while Sativa strains are typically associated with more uplifting and energizing effects.

In New Zealand, the product range addresses multiple therapeutic approaches. The high-THC strains Night Ride™ (Indica) and Big Wave™ (Hybrid) cater to patients requiring potent symptomatic relief. In contrast, the upcoming Half Moon™ strain, with its balanced profile of 9% THC and 13% CBD, is designed for patients who need the therapeutic benefits of both major cannabinoids with milder psychoactive effects. This type of balanced product is often preferred for managing conditions like neuropathic pain or inflammation without the intense high associated with THC-dominant strains.

By offering a spectrum of formats, from traditional flower to modern cartridges, and a range of cannabinoid profiles, Aurora is empowering doctors to tailor treatments more precisely. This expansion is a testament to the maturation of the medical cannabis industry, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to a future of more personalized and effective patient care.