P.E.I. medical marijuana to be ready by Christmas

The first crop from P.E.I.'s medicinal marijuana factory is on the way.

Edwin Jewell has been planning Canada's Island Garden marijuana for the last few years, submitting the licence application to Health Canada in September 2013. The final step in the licensing process is to submit a test crop for inspection by Health Canada. Jewell expects that process will be completed by Christmas.

• Medical marijuana facility planned for Charlottetown

Jewell said medical marijuana is the company's focus right now, but that could change if Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government legalizes marijuana.

"I would say possibly yes," said Jewell.

"Right now we're obviously focused on the MMPR, the marijuana for medicinal purposes regulations. Those are the rules that we have to operate under right now. Our business plan is based on that model. Obviously there will be future opportunities for us down the road."

Jewell describes the facility in Charlottetown as probably the most secure building in P.E.I. Once fully operational, he expects to employ up to20 people.

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