Grimsby pot greenhouse backed by former OPP head
A medical marijuana greenhouse is getting closer to becoming a reality in Grimsby.
The town’s committee of adjustment approved a zoning variance for the project on Friday, allowing Aleafia Health to use a 14,400-square-metre greenhouse for the production of marijuana.
The company, led by executive chairman Julian Fantino — the former commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police — purchased the greenhouse in May for $9.6 million, and expects the deal to close by the end of the month after a 20-day appeal process concludes.
In a media release updating the progress towards opening the new facility, the company reported that greenhouse will be up and running sooner than anticipated and under the budget originally developed.
Aleafia’s recently appointed chief executive officer, Geoff Benic, said the company’s growth potential is unlimited.
“Getting intimately familiar with the new facility has given me comfort in our ability to continue to grow our company both organically and by way of additional acquisitions,” he said.
While announcing the initial purchase of the greenhouse in May, the company said the facility required minimal retrofitting would allow for greater production capacity at a lower cost — and respond more quickly to its patients’ needs.
The facility can also immediately be expanded by 1,800 square metres.
Fantino, at the time, called the greenhouse purchase “a major strategic achievement for the company that strongly positions us for success as we continue to execute on the next phase of our operations.”
Aleafia, which holds four Health Canada cannabis production licences, also operates a facility in Scugog, which is being expanded by 13,500 square metres.
In addition to Fantino, Aleafia’s board members include Raf Souccar — the former deputy commissioner for the RCMP — and former Toronto fire chief Bill Stewart.