Ontario First Nation to grow medical marijuana

The Wahgoshig First Nation, nearKirkland Lake,is partnering with an Ontariocompany called DelShen Therapeutics to convert a former forestry operation into a facility that will grow "pharmaceutical grade" pot.

The entire operation is expected to cost $18-million. In a press release, chief David Babin saidthe First Nation has chipped in $2-million of that cost.

"This investment exceeds all of our long-term sustainable economic development criteria.We believe Wahgoshig's investment in DelShen's success will benefit the entire region," stated Babin.

The venture is expected to create 30 jobs during the start-up phase and up to 100 jobs once the facility is fully operational. There will be a training program developed to ensure people from the Wahgoshig First Nation get a crack at those jobs. This has a huge potential impact for a community with a population of 234.

"Bringing a new industry like pharmaceutical grade marijuana to the region gives aboriginal people more opportunities to stay here to work at good, safe jobs," said NDP MP Charlie Angus.Wahgoshig and the proposed facility are located in his riding of Timmins-James Bay.

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In Friday's press release, DelShensays the northern Ontario project is "awaiting notificationon the final step toward receiving its production licence."