By Shelby Perea / Albuquerque Business First

Published on March 3, 2017 

When people think about cannabis, the imagery of smokey clouds and exhaling smoke usually comes to mind. But you won’t see any of that at this new pharmaceutical lab in Bernalillo. That’s because Ultra Health’s new facility manufactures smokeless and pre-dosed cannabis medicine.

Arizona-based Ultra Health said the lab is the first pharmaceutical cannabis production facility in the country.

Ultra Health is joining forces with Panaxia Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., an Israeli company established in 2010, to produce the medicine. Panaxia will be providing smokeless proprietary cannabinoid dosage and treatment protocols. Those protocols aren’t easily accessible in the U.S., according to a release. Ultra Health will also be implementing some of Panaxia’s technology for the new facility.

The cannabis products offered will include tablets, candy-like food, oils and patches that go through the skin.

Ultra Health CEO and President Duke Rodriguez said in a statement the new products provide a fully potent and targeted dose that is customized for each patient. Patients will have the option to get products with either THC, CBD or products with both.

“It is history in the making for an Israeli company to bring the tidings to the citizens of New Mexico,” said Panaxia CEO Dadi Segal in a statement.

Segal also said that he believes both companies will be launching additional facilities in the coming months.

Albuquerque Business First reported last year the medical marijuana was a booming industry. It became one of the few New Mexican sectors that had strong growth while New Mexico was making its way out of the Great Recession. The Medical Cannabis Program’s total industry revenues from 2015 to 2016 increased by $19.7 million, resulting in $50,638,520 and a growth of 64 percent.