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.

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!

Josiah pointing to a tablet of grow room data

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.

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 Nov: Commenced UVB cultivation testing for cannabinoid enhancement

This timeline highlights some of our biggest milestones, but it's not an exhaustive list. We've also been busy advocating for decriminalization and helping many other clients navigate the cannabis industry. We'll keep this page periodically updated with our latest achievements, publications, and events