KENTVILLE - Andrew Robinson knows one thing for certain as he builds a new business in the Annapolis Valley - there’s plenty of room for growth.
Robinson’s Cannabis is in the process of constructing a production facility on an 11.4-acre parcel of land the company purchased along Rockwell Drive in the Kentville Business Park.
“We’re building a 27,700-square foot marijuana production facility, and it will be used to grow and package dried marijuana for sale in the new market coming up, and in the existing medical market as well,” said Robinson, who founded Robinson’s Cannabis in 2014.
Knowing the federal government is working toward the legalization of marijuana in the summer, Robinson intends to be ready to gain ground in the emerging recreational market at the earliest opportunity.
“It’s the same production rules as it is for the medical market,” he said.
Robinson sees his company’s role within the industry resulting in positive economic spinoffs throughout the Annapolis Valley for years to come. He anticipates the first phase of their business plan will create “a good, solid 25 to 30 jobs.”
The ongoing construction project, worth an estimated $10 million, is providing work for several local contractors, Robinson said.
“It’s a long, slow, hard, expensive process but we’re getting there,” he added, reflecting on the time it has taken to get to this point.
Robinson, president and master grower at Robinson’s Cannabis, was disappointed to learn none of the nine NSLC locations provincially selected to sell cannabis once marijuana is legalized are located in the Annapolis Valley. This list of approved locations includes three sites within the Halifax Regional Municipality, and one in Yarmouth.
“That was a little bit concerning but, generally speaking, we’ll be a local supplier,” said Robinson, stressing that marijuana from out of province, be it legal or a product of the black market, does not create local jobs.
RELATED LINK: Here’s why there won’t be legal pot access in the Annapolis Valley.
Robinson’s Cannabis is in the process of seeking the necessary approvals to become a licensed producer operating in coherence with Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulation. Robinson anticipates this process will come to a close following the completion of the production facility.
“It’s exciting. It can’t happen fast enough,” said Robinson, who is originally from the Annapolis Valley and wanted to base his business in a strong agricultural region.
“This is a huge opportunity to keep the jobs here (and) to have a local supplier.”
