Pubdate: Sun, 15 Mar 2015
Source: Coast Reporter (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Coast Reporter
Contact:  http://www.coastreporter.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/580
Author: John Gleeson

MEDMA ONE STEP CLOSER TO PRODUCTION

Medma Cannabis Pharms Inc. is one step closer to becoming the first 
medical marijuana production facility in the District of Sechelt to 
operate under Health Canada's new regulations.

Although not yet licensed by Health Canada, the company trucked 18 
steel containers to its site on Sechelt Crescent in East Porpoise Bay 
on Monday.

The containers, measuring 40 feet in length, were brought in empty, 
but are intended to house the KM5000 hydroponic growing system 
designed by Archer Adler Consulting Solutions and engineered by the 
AME Consulting Group, Yoram Adler said Wednesday.

"The KM5000 grow system will be fabricated inside the containers," 
Adler said. "It's a vertically stacked system and the first of its 
kind in Canada. It's a Canadian first."

Features include a professionally engineered air handling system and 
filters to ensure "the community has no smell," as required by the 
District and Health Canada, he said.

"Our filtration system is extremely robust."

The 18-gage steel containers were chosen for fire safety, as they are 
not combustible. "There's nothing in our system that's combustible. 
Even the plant is in water, so the combustibility factor is extremely low."

The containers will also provide added security, Adler said, noting 
the facility will have 200 cameras inside and outside the building.

Waste management, he said, will follow Health Canada secure 
destruction protocols.

Adler said he was aware that some residents have been trying to push 
the District to reverse the previous council's position allowing 
medical marijuana production facilities under current zoning as a 
light industrial use.

"What possible risk is there?" he asked. "What possible side effect? 
Medma has spent over $800,000 in the community, buying land and 
hiring local contractors to do the work."

Other lots have been bought up to build plants in the same industrial 
area, he said.

"Doesn't it make sense to have something secure, discreet, with 
cameras, sensors, multi-layer security?"

Resident Marc Nixon, who has written letters to the District 
questioning the project, said his main concern was "a total lack of 
due process," but added he believes there is a very good chance that 
Health Canada will deny the company a licence due to inadequate setbacks.

"With 116 residential condos within 60 metres, Medma in my opinion 
will never go into production," Nixon said.

Adler disagreed.

"Health Canada looks at all kinds of factors when it comes to site 
appropriateness. We're in an area where the zoning allows it."

Adler said the plant, which could be operational within 120 days, 
will employ at least four full-time workers, while a planned second 
phase would see more jobs created. Medma COO Bal Uppal, a retired 
Mountie, and a quality assurance manager will relocate to the Coast 
to run the facility, which is 80 per cent automated, he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom