A building being constructed on Lochside Drive in Central Saanich is slated to house a legal marijuana grow operation.
The property, located at 6922 Lochside Dr. (next to the Michell Farm Market but not on Michell property) was the subject of a notice of application to Central Saanich council in October.
Evergreen Medicinal Supply Incorporated put forward the notice to the local government and police as required by the federal process but other than the building permit issued by the municipality, Central Saanich ultimately has no say in the location of the operation located on Agricultal Land Reserve land.
“The Agricultural Land Commission deems medicinal marijuana grow operations a farm use and the facilities are licensed by the federal government. Apart from issuing building permits and making sure the building is built to code, we don’t have a major role in the process,” said Central Saanich’s Director of Planning Bruce Greig.
According to Greig, the land has changed hands over the years and was most recently slated to have a home built on it. The footprint of the medical marijuana building is smaller than that of the house.
As of last week, Central Saanich Mayor Alastair Bryson said he still hadn’t heard whether or not the federal license had been issued for the property.
The notice from Evergreen Medicinal Supply Inc. stated that the facility was dedicated to “producing, drying, storing and selling medicinal marijuana to registered prescription holders.”
According to Greig, the building will not serve as a storefront-type facility.