The Military Chemical Pharmaceutical Plant of Florence (SCFM), an institution founded in 1832, is currently the only facility in Italy authorized to produce medical cannabis for therapeutic purposes.
Colonel Arcangelo Moro welcomed the Agency’s delegation, led by Ms. Anila Alliu, Director General, and presented the activities of SCFM, which operates under the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Industries Agency, with oversight provided by the Ministry of Health and the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA).
During the site visit, the delegation gained detailed insight into the entire cultivation and production chain. The hydroponic cultivation system was presented, featuring automated controls that monitor key parameters in real time, including pH, temperature, and electrical conductivity. The delegation was also introduced to the plant traceability system, which assigns individual identification to each production batch, a critical element in ensuring compliance with GACP standards.
The visit included cultivation areas equipped with controlled LED and HPS lighting systems, harvesting and drying facilities, as well as laboratories and pharmaceutical active ingredient (API) production lines operating in accordance with GMP standards. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of rigorous quality control for every production batch, the use of advanced laboratory analyses, and the comprehensive documentation of processes through certified batch release and quality assurance systems.
Special attention was given to the presentation of physical security measures and access control systems within production and storage areas. The security framework operates in accordance with the requirements and protocols of the Ministry of Defence, ensuring robust protection against the diversion of controlled substances.
Participation in this study visit contributed to strengthening the institutional capacities of the National Agency for Cannabis Control (NACC) and provided valuable exposure to international best practices in the regulation of medical cannabis. The visit also facilitated the establishment of strategic contacts for future cooperation between the respective institutions.
