Commercial grow ops easing locals’ fears
Posted December 27, 2013 8:47 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
MAPLE RIDGE (NEWS1130) – Commercial marijuana growers are fighting the misconceptions, as they prepare to become the sole providers of medicinal pot in four months’ time.
They’re trying to get the word out that their operations will not be as menacing as people think.
“All these concerns are based on preconceived notions that people have,” says James Poelzer, CEO of Agrima Botanicals.
“The regulations that you have to adhere to are quite stringent.”
Starting in April, only Health Canada-approved commercial growers will be able to supply the marijuana.
Agrima has a business licence to operate in Maple Ridge, and has been growing marijuana under the outgoing medicinal marijuana-grow laws. It is still waiting for its new Health Canada licence.
Poelzer stresses that his operation won’t be like a retail store, where buyers are coming and going. All sales will be online, and he won’t even disclose where the business is located.
And he says neighbours needn’t worry the grow-op will be a target for thieves.
“There are access restriction features within the building, as well as a bank-style vault made out of solid reinforced concrete to store our product,” he points out.
And as for the potential smell?
“We have a three-stage filtration process that all of our air goes through before it exits our building.”
The new law will strip individuals of the right to grow medicinal marijuana and hand over the responsibility to licenced commercial growers.
