A proposal to build a large-scale cannabis grow operation in the BCR Industrial Site was advanced to final reading on Monday night after city council was assured steps will be taken to control the odour the plants will emit.
Responding to a question from Coun. Brian Skaun, Cannwest Development CEO Sean Maloney said the air leaving the facility will go through two stages of carbon filtering. He said the first filter will eliminate 99.5 per cent of the odour and the second will remove 99.5 per cent of the remaining 0.5 per cent.
"So it is, at the end of the day completely odourless," Maloney said.
He also said air going into the operation is filtered and "very technical" heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are used to govern the humidity and temperature in the area where the plants are grown.
Council subsequently voted unanimously in favour of giving third reading to rezone 14.9 hectares (36.97 acres) at 7250 and 7574 Willow Cale Road for the use. No opposition from the public was expressed during the public hearing on the matter.
Maloney said Vancouver-based Cannwest intends to build as many as eight growing structures on the site but beginning with two that would cover 4,000 square metres in total.
According to company projections, the first two facilities will inject $28 million into the local construction industry and once completed will be home to 80 full-time jobs adding up to an annual payroll of $12.8 million and also generate $13.2 million per year in services contracting.
Cannwest grows "craft cannabis" that carry a higher potency of both cannabinoids, regarded as a source of pain relief, and THC, the psychoactive agent that provides the high, when compared to cannabis grown to "factory level" qualities.
The Cannwest product will also be less susceptible to mold, mildew and pests and feature more unique strains, according to the presentation. "More patience, care, and attention to detail during the process of growing, curing and harvesting the product," company says in the presentation.
Maloney likened the product it will grow to single malt scotch.
He hopes to see construction begin this year and completed as soon as possible once council has given the related rezoning bylaw final reading and the referral process has been completed.
Former Prince George mayor Colin Kinsley sits on the Cannwest board of directors and attended the public hearing on Monday night.
