Medical marijuana facility planned for Charlottetown

An Island farmer is preparing to build a medical marijuana production operation in Charlottetown and says he hopes ground will soon be broken on the facilityas his new company clears Health Canada hurdles.

Edwin Jewell said he expects to begin construction on theproject in the coming months, with plans to build a nearly 14,000-square foot facility and office in the BioCommons Research Park.

Jewell has startedCanadas Island Garden Inc. with two other principals. He said theres "strong potential there for successful business" and expects to employ about 15 people.

"Its a new industry, its going to happen,"said Jewell, who is also the owner of Jewells Country Market in York, P.E.I. "Of course theres licences (that have)been granted by Health Canada across the country right now."

Jewell said Health Canada has told him that a licence will be granted once all company principals get security clearance and officials inspectthe building.

"Weve taken considerable steps to make the sure the building is safe,"Jewell said.

The proposal is one of a series in the Maritimes. A medical marijuana facility could be up and running by the end of this month in Moncton, N.B., as OrganiGram Inc. undergoes final inspections of its 20,000-square foot facility.

In Stellarton, N.S., Vida Cannabis Corp.says it will spend between $4 million and $5 million to secure and convert a portion of the oldClairtone Sound Corporation building for marijuana production.

Last month Charlottetown city councillors voted to amend development bylaws to restrict legal marijuana growing operations to industrial areas.

Patients using medical marijuanawill no longer be allowed to grow plants in their homes as ofApril1. Instead, federally-approvedcommercial growers will produce and shipmedicinal marijuana directly to patients.