Zenabis to announce marijuana production facility in Stellarton

Marijuana could soon be produced in Stellarton.

Stellarton Mayor Danny MacGillivray confirmed that he has been told Zenabis has received approval from Health Canada to grow marijuana in Stellarton in the 315,000-square-foot building that once housed the Clairtone plant.

A spokesperson for Zenabis said an announcement will be coming on April 6.

“It’s big news for Stellarton and Pictou County,” said MacGillivray. “It’s a big, major employer coming to Stellarton.”

According to information he’s received, the company will hire 50 full-time people in the first year.

“I expect in the coming years it’ll mean a lot more than that,” he said

Zenabis currently has oper- ations in Atholville in northern New Brunswick as well as British Columbia.

“The company comes with a proven track record and a solid production reputation,” he said.

Macgillivray said the interior of the building on Acadia Avenue in Stellarton is about two-thirds complete and expects construction to start in the next couple of weeks to finish it. After that there will be a training period and then production can begin.

Health Canada media relations officer Andre Gagnon said the department also couldn’t confirm the application was approved.

“Health Canada cannot comment on specific applications, or the status of an application, under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR), as these applications are considered confidential business information,” he stated.

Macgillivray said he learned the approval was given on Friday.