Pubdate: Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Emily Jackson

NO ORDINARY GROW-OP

Maple Ridge. Metro takes a tour of the elaborate operations at Agrima
Botanicals, a producer looking to cash in on new federal medical
marijuana rules

Nothing looks unusual about the stable surrounded by a wooden fence in
this equestrian-friendly area of Maple Ridge.

But appearances can be deceiving.

Behind the orderly exteriors lies the production facility of Agrima
Botanicals, a medical marijuana company waiting for the federal
government's approval to sell to patients.

Metro took a tour of Agrima's growing operations Thursday in advance
of drastic changes to Health Canada's medical marijuana rules that
come into effect April 1. Instead of purchasing directly from Health
Canada, growing their own plants or designating a grower, patients
will be required to buy from commercial, licensed operators.

The tour revealed just how strict the new regulations are for
businesses that want to get a slice of the lucrative market (patients
fear higher prices under the new regime).

Security is intense. Each door to the building needs a security code
to get in and is permanently locked. Once inside the facility, which
Agrima built from the ground up, every room that houses marijuana
requires a code to both get in and out. A computer tracks which
employee went into what room and when.

"Every square inch of the facility is covered by cameras" which are
monitored 24/7, Chief Operations Officer James Poelzer said.

The perimeter has both motion and infrared sensors, and there are
panic buttons dispersed to activate silent alarms.

Perhaps the most impressive feature is the vault with a five-inch
wide, 1,300-pound door that had to be lifted in with a crane.

And that's before the production rules, as exacting as for any other
pharmaceutical in Canada.

Staff must wear lab coats and pants, hairnets and protective glasses
when handling the products. There are three filters to prevent the
strong smell from drifting outside (they seem to work perfectly) and
the facility was constructed like a hospital for easy washing.

There are limits to how many plants can be in a room, different
strains are separated to prevent cross-contamination and people must
step in a cleansing solution every time they enter and exit a room.
(Agrima is licensed under the old system as a designated producer,
hence why it is allowed plants already.)

If this sounds expensive, well, it's because it is. The young team has
taken out second mortgages on their homes and has sunk "millions" into
the operation.

But Poelzer isn't worried Agrima won't get the licence after taking
the risk.

"We've done everything to adhere to the regulations they've put
forth," he said. "All we ask in return to be treated equally and fairly."

More than 450 companies have applied for production licences. So far,
the government has approved 10.

If approved, Agrima will be ready to sell to patients at some time in
April, Poelzer said. The company, made up of about 15 people under 35,
expects to hire about 10 more people.

While it's an exciting opportunity for the young business, not
everyone is pleased with the new regulations.

Designated growers have spent years developing strains and buying
equipment that could become illegal, patients who grow their own
medicine to cut costs will have to purchase from an open market
(prices will not be regulated), and medical marijuana dispensaries
were completely ignored.
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MAP posted-by: Matt