Medicinal cannabis firm to create 100 jobs with first factory in Scotland

A medicinal cannabis firm is aiming to create 100 jobs with its first factory in Scotland.

Australian-based Breathe Life Sciences will create 36 jobs when the new site opens before the end of next year as part of a three-year plan to increase its workforce to around 100.

The company already has manufacturing sites in Manchester, Prague, and Nagoya in Japan.

The production and distribution centre will be based in the Scottish Borders, but a location for the site is yet to be confirmed.

Medicinal cannabis was legalised by the UK Government in 2018, and cannabis-based medicine is available through the NHS.

It is used by many to relieve symptoms of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and the side effects of chemotherapy from cancer.

South of Scotland Enterprise says it has pledged more than £840,000 in investment to the project.

According to figures, the number of active cannabis patients in the UK has grown to 80,000, purchasing approximately £250m worth of cannabis-based medicinal products in 2025.

The number of active patients is expected to surpass 190,000 by 2029, according to research and market forecasts.

No cannabis will be grown on the site in the Borders, but the firm will still require a licence from the Home Office.

Sam Watson, CEO and founder of Breathe Life Sciences, said: “Our Scottish Borders manufacturing and distribution facility is being developed to meet the growing national demand for UK-manufactured cannabis-based medicinal products.

“Public sentiment was at the forefront of the legalisation of medicinal cannabis, which is
rigorously tested, quality-assured, more affordable, and of course fully legal.

“We are honoured and inspired by the support received from SOSE and Scottish Borders Council and are proud to be investing in a region that values innovation and economic growth.”

Russel Griggs, Chair of SOSE, said: “We are delighted to welcome BLS, a key international life sciences company, to the South of Scotland.

“With a surge in the number of life sciences companies wanting to come to our region, the South is quickly positioning itself as a hub for innovation and growth in the emerging medicinal cannabis industry.

“BLS will bring further investment and skilled jobs, and are the latest company to recognise that the South of Scotland is a fantastic place to do innovative business.”

Councillor Scott Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for economic growth and developing the Borders, said: “This is very welcome inward investment into the Scottish Borders, which will create a number of jobs initially, with scope for that to grow.

“It is a perfect example of how, through working with local members and our regional partners, we are able to attract businesses and new jobs to the area.

“This investment will support the Borders economy and community into the future.”

Business minister Richard Lochhead said: “Life Sciences is a sector that spearheads economic growth, transforms health and care and stimulates innovation across our economy.

“This investment from South of Scotland Enterprise to help Breathe Life Sciences establish its first base in Scotland opens up an exciting new chapter for the Scottish Life Sciences sector and a tremendous opportunity for the region to develop its reputation as a hub for the industry.”