Door open for medicinal marijuana investment in North East

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews legalised medicinal marijuana.

A $16 million medicinal marijuana cultivation and production hub could come to Myrtleford or the North East, with producer Canopy Growth still searching for a base.

Alpine mayor Ron Janas said the shire would have no objections to the company developing in the region.

In April, Canada’s Canopy Growth announced they would set up southern headquarters and production in Victoria.

Former tobacco farmers in Myrtleford have previously called for cannabis investment in the town, saying they have cultivation skills.

Managing director Ben Quirin said the company was assessing their location options and did not rule out the production coming to the North East.

“We approached the Victorian government a year ago following legalisation and we’ve been working with them to look at how to develop the industry and establish in the state,” Mr Quirin said.

“We predominately grow in high-tech greenhouses and when we established any cultivation business in Canada we worked very closely with traditional greenhouse growers who ultimately flipped and converted to cannabis.

“We support them in upskilling and retrofitting.”

Mr Quirin said wherever they establish, they would require a wide talent pool of employees, from entry level to pharmaceutical workers.

“We’re looking at various locations across the state of Victoria, from metropolitan through to regional areas.”

Mr Quirin said because of the nature of the cannabis operation, the exact location would not be publicised.

He said the chosen region would benefit from upskilling and job creation.

Cr Janas said some farmers had approached state members in the past to encourage the idea.

He said he was not aware of any discussions between council and the company but the shire had no objections to the industry, which would create jobs.

“We would have no problem, it’s a legal substance, so why not? We have expertise in our area,” he said.

“There is infrastructure available, no doubt there would need to be security compliance.” Originally published here: https://www.bordermail.com.au/story/5378842/door-open-for-medicinal-marijuana-investment-in-north-east/