Pubdate: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC) Copyright: 2014, BC Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948 Author: Tamara Cunningham MEDICAL POT GROWER READY TO HIRE Nanaimo's new medical marijuana producer is on the search for skilled labour. Tilray, the face of B.C.-based Lafitte Ventures, is looking to hire up to 60 employees as it prepares to open its new production facility at Duke Point. A job fair will be hosted this weekend for positions ranging from horticulturalists and trimmers to customer service representatives, security and marketing management. Work at the new medical marijuana facility has been underway since rezoning was approved by Nanaimo city council last December. According to Tilray, total investment to buy, renovate and create a state-of-the-art facility will reach more than $10 million once it's complete. While renovations are still underway, the company is looking to get employees on site within the next several weeks, said Philippe Lucas, Tilray's vice-president of patient research and services. "We want to be ready to go as soon as possible to start registering patients from all over Canada and start folks working in this amazing new facility at Duke Point," he said. The company is looking for between 40 and 60 employees, which is almost double original numbers forecasted last year. Lucas said the company did a re-evaluation of total demand and might have underestimated the number of employees needed in some areas. They are now searching for people who are friendly, committed and looking for an 'exciting experience in a brand-new bio-tech field' of medical cannabis in a range of areas including management, cultivation and processing. People with knowledge and skills around growing marijuana will be useful depending on the job, Lucas said, adding that positions within the company will also be a "great launching pad" for a fulfilling job or career in Canada's legal medical marijuana industry. The company will be wrapping up the first phase of renovations and is in the process of securing a Health Canada license to grow, process and distribute marijuana to patients across the country. Plants are expected to arrive within days of Tilray getting a license. Those interested in attending the job fair Saturday and Sunday (March 1-2) are being told to apply at www.tilray.ca/en/Home/Careers . The event's location is not being made public and applicants are being asked to book interviews. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt