Pubdate: Wed, 15 Jan 2014
Source: Metro (Saskatoon, CN SN)
Copyright: 2014 Free Daily News Group Inc.
Contact:  http://metronews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5420
Author: Morgan Modjeski

FROM VILLAGE SCHOOL TO POT PRODUCTION PLANT

Stimulation for the economy? Sask. town of Milden hopes to turn
abandoned building into medicinal grow-op

A former school property in a tiny Saskatchewan community might get
new life from the medicinal-marijuana industry.

Currently for sale for $160,000, the Milden Central School building
has been abandoned for eight years, but could soon become home to a
grow operation run by Saskatchewan-based Canadian Cannabis Solutions
Inc. (CCS).

Lester Wall, mayor of Milden, said on Tuesday that residents he has
talked to are behind the idea in hopes that it will improve the local
economy. "It should be quite a boost," Wall said before a community
meeting on the issue hours later in the village of about 180 people, a
90-minute drive southwest of Saskatoon.

"We can maybe get our store opened again. It would mean a few more tax
dollars into the village.... We've been looking forward to it."

He added that he's not concerned about the marijuana making its way
onto the black market.

Fred Glawischnig, CEO and president of CCS, explained that he has yet
to secure a federal licence for the production facility that could
create 30 full- and part-time jobs within three years.

"Upon communication with the council and the mayor, they were very
open to bringing a new business to town," said Glawischnig.

He noted that the 22,000-square-foot facility would have security
measures, including security cameras and guards.

"We feel that Milden and Canadian Cannabis will do really well
together," Glawischnig added. "It just seems to be the right piece of
the puzzle."

Residents at the packed meeting said they hope the facility brings
jobs and new families to the former railroad village.

"I think it will bring in jobs, I think it will bring in a police
presence, which is needed ... and I think it's far enough removed that,
unless you're from around here, you're not going to know it's here,"
said Kindra Lawrence.

"More people in town means more business for us," added Christine
Brown, owner of the Milden Hotel. "Maybe we'd be able to extend our
hours (and) give people raises, because we'd have business."

Glawischnig said the firm could begin producing within eight months of
acquiring a licence.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D