About Chill Division
Who are we, and what is our industry experience?
We're here for the growers and patients, not just the bottom line.
Josiah started Chill Division in 2022 after successfully launching his first cannabis company. We're passionate about building a cultivator-centric and patient-focused cannabis industry here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our goal? To help small, independent growers thrive so they can provide Kiwi patients with the freshest, highest-quality flower possible.
Josiah started Chill Division in 2022 after successfully launching his first cannabis company. We're passionate about building a cultivator-centric and patient-focused cannabis industry here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our goal? To help small, independent growers thrive so they can provide Kiwi patients with the freshest, highest-quality flower possible.
It's a big dream, but we're making it happen!
How? By sharing knowledge and resources with everyone. We provide information to empower patients and offer tips and tricks to help growers achieve amazing results with high potency and heavy yields.We're not about gatekeeping knowledge or hoarding "IP" secrets. We want to see a thriving network of growers across the country, all equipped to provide top-quality flower to their local communities.
We believe in using data to make smart decisions that benefit everyone. More licensed growers mean more options for patients, and empowered patients mean better health outcomes!
We believe in using data to make smart decisions that benefit everyone. More licensed growers mean more options for patients, and empowered patients mean better health outcomes!
Why choose Chill Division?
Because we're not just consultants, we're growers with a proven track record of success. We consistently achieve some of the highest THC levels in the country (over 25%!), while the national average is just mid-teens. Don't just take our word for it; we've got the data to back it up!
Forget stuffy consultants in a suit who never touch the garden! And steer clear of those 'experts' with nothing but tall tales to share. We're different. We've got the real-world experience and in-depth knowledge to help you navigate the complexities of cannabis cultivation and the medicinal cannabis regulations. We'll help you avoid unnecessary paperwork and compliance headaches, so you can focus on growing amazing plants.
We're pioneers in regulatory compliance, publishing the first open-source growers toolkit to assist with regulatory compliance for plant/flower tracking (GRACe portal), absolutely free! You'll find us listed on the Medsafe website, having been providing constructive feedback to the regulatory body since January 2023. Our deep knowledge and commitment to advocacy means we can guide you through the complexities of cannabis compliance, especially those tricky advertising rules.
Here's a glimpse of our journey so far:
Timeline:
Our journey began in November 2020 with a single seed, planted, admittedly, in a not-so-legal way. But after a motorbike accident in 2021, Josiah had a realization: this was his calling.Here's a glimpse of our journey so far:
- 2020 Nov: First illicit genetics planted
- 2021 Apr: Motorbike accident that began the change of career
- 2021 Aug: First genetics declared and provided to licensed cultivation company
- 2021 Oct: Began full-time on startup of Skyman Industries. Authored SOPs, designed and built facility, security, automation and irrigation systems
- 2022 Mar: Requested advertising regulation clarification from MCA, told "It's coming shortly..."
- 2022 Apr: License acquired for cultivation at Skyman Industries, primary cultivator role
- 2022 Dec: Formed Chill Division and Pause Labs after leaving Skyman Industries
- 2023 Jan: Regulatory feedback requested from MCA, provided in response to proposed changes
- 2023 Mar: Presented "How to survive Medicinal Cannabis in NZ" guide for cultivators, published on YouTube
- 2023 Apr: Became a member of the Medicinal Cannabis Council
- 2023 May: Ran a billboard advertising medicinal cannabis
- 2023 Jun: Published Treatment of Cannabis to meet NZ Microbial Standards on YouTube
- 2023 Jun: First genetics provided to publicly traded company
- 2023 Jul: Presented treatment findings to NZ Medicinal Cannabis Council on microbial management
- 2023 Jul: Created booklet for J-Day with Helius Therapeutics informing patients of rights etc
- 2023 Jul: Presentation on Offtake Agreements for cultivators published on YouTube
- 2023 Aug: Presented in-person at opening of Whakamana Cannabis Museum
- 2023 Sep: AMA hosted on r/MedicalCannabisNZ
- 2023 Sep: Cultivation license issued for Pause Labs
- 2023 Oct: Hosted doctors tour of cultivation facility
- 2023 Dec: Certificate of Analysis for first harvest, multiple results reaching 26% Total Potential THC
- 2024 Jan: First external cultivator license submitted with our SOPs & consulting
- 2024 Feb: Published Medicinal Cannabis Advertising guidelines booklet
- 2024 Feb: Published Genetics Declaration Handbook for licensed facilities and legacy growers alike
- 2024 Apr: Hosted & organized first ever cultivators event for licensed growers
- 2024 May: Feedback provided to MCA regarding safes, shipping containers, and cannabis storage
- 2024 May: First out of region on-site visit to licensed cultivator for whole-day consult
- 2024 Jun: Research into flower LOD vs aW, loaned lab equipment to Puro
- 2024 Jun: Published custom circuitboard for light interfacing and automations
- 2024 Jul: Published R&D fitout materials list for small cultivation facilities
- 2024 Jul: Published first episode of Chill Chats cannabis podcast
- 2024 Aug: Published research paper on microbial load reduction with post-harvest PAA treatment
- 2024 Aug: Published Visitor sign in/out tracker for facilities (open-source and free)
- 2024 Aug: Medsafe added Chill Division to Regulatory Advisory website for Medicinal Cannabis Advertising, Training, SOPs etc
- 2024 Sep: Supply license granted for Chill Division
- 2024 Sep: Cultivation license granted for first SOP consulting client
- 2024 Oct: Published GRACe portal (open-source and free) to streamline cultivators regulatory compliance
- 2024 Nov: Hosted second Cultivators event for licensed growers
- 2024 Nov: Published custom code for substrate sensor to integrate with automation systems
- 2024 Dec: Custom PCB - Commenced Auto Batch Doser project, a stepper-motor controlled peristaltic pump controller to automatically mix nutrient reservoirs
- 2024 Jan: Commenced R&D for flower to be transported, packed, and verified in a GMP facility
- 2025 Jan: NZMCC Working Group participant, providing feedback from growers as NZMCC looks to braoden membership
- 2025 Jan: Integrated Teros12 Substrate sensor into automation system, added to Cultivation SOPs
- 2025 Feb: Improved GRACe Portal, monthly reporting down to a 20 second task
- 2025 Mar: Created Medicinal Cannabis Advertising interactive game
- 2025 Mar: Custom PCB - Solid State Relay controller designed, prototyped and implemented into production at multiple facilities
- 2025 Mar: Published patient information around Drug Driving laws
- 2025 Mar: Speaker at Spirit Festival on Medicinal Cannabis
- 2025 Apr: Firmware development for Auto Batch Doser
- 2025 Apr: Published "We probably don't want Rec" comparing the proposed legislation to the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme and why Rec would be a step back
- 2025 Apr: Commenced SOPs v3, now 3x separate documents including a built-out guide with specific details for equipment, room design etc
- 2025 May: Sponsored Harvest Fest
- 2025 Jun: Became Board Memeber of New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Council
- 2025 Jun: Custom PCB - Solid State Relay v2, now smaller and more affordable
- 2025 Jun: 3x batch CoAs obtained with +/- deviation of 2% (relative) as part of GMP packing
- 2025 Jul: Custom PCB - Auto Batch Doser now in production in multiple facilities after firmware completion
- 2025 Jul: Submitted NZMQS verification request for flower
- 2025 Jul: NZMCC vote unanimously to broaden membership base after working group findings
- 2025 Jul: Certified "New Zealand Made" comes through for White Sherb
- 2025 Jul: First production batch of flower for NZMQS verification delivered using processes to GMP certified facility
- 2025 Jul: 3rd Cultivators Catch-Up event organized by Chill Division
- 2025 Aug: Major update to SOPs around safety for staff, provided free to all using our SOPs
- 2025 Aug: 6th Cultivation License obtained using our SOPs so far in 2025 alone
- 2025 Aug: AI integration into cultivation automation system