“Our aim is to become the UK market leader in medical cannabis. We have ambitious plans to expand the business - creating up to 100 new jobs and investing around £20 million over the next five years.”
Martin Dickie MBE, Founder & CEO
Our Facility
Nestled on the outskirts of Aberdeenshire, Waterside Pharmaceuticals’ purpose-built, fully indoor vertical farm is a Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA) site dedicated to medicinal cannabis. From seed to packaged starter material, every stage takes place under one roof, providing full oversight, traceability and consistency.
Purpose-Built
Vertical Farm
Our facility uses stacked vertical racks with bespoke LED lighting, precision HVAC and automated nutrient delivery to maintain stable, uniform conditions across every tier.
Harvesting takes place in hygienic zones designed to reduce contamination risk and support compliance with MHRA expectations, operating to standards exceeding typical GACP requirements for cleanliness and process control.
Advanced Control
Systems
Integrated sensors continuously monitor temperature, humidity, CO₂, pH and EC across hundreds of data points, enabling AI-driven adjustments that will help us to optimise plant health, yield and consistency.
Each plant batch is individually tracked from clone to harvest, with environmental data, lab results and Certificates of Analysis securely captured in our digital quality system to ensure complete traceability.
Sustainable
Operations
Our facility runs on green-tariff electricity and uses harvested rainwater for irrigation, reducing environmental impact. We grow without harmful pesticides, using clean inputs and controlled conditions to maintain plant health.
Spent biomass is processed responsibly in line with Home Office and environmental guidelines and a future off-grid site, powered by multiple renewable sources, is planned for next year.
Partnerships and Licenses
Home Office: Controlled Drugs Licence holders
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency: Wholesale Distribution Authorisation issued.
Supporting local business through active membership.
AI-powered insights via a collaborative PhD project.
Advocating for a responsible, ethical industry.
