Global Organiks is getting the re-zoning it needs from Tecumseh council to move forward with its plans for a medical marijuana facility.
Company president Joe Fenech says fencing around the facility is required, but adds the site won't look any worse than any other industrial centre.
"The comparison to a prison I thought was a bit outlandish. It's a manufacturing facility," says Fenech.
The re-zoning allows Fenech to submit an application to Health Canada for approval to operate the facility. He expects an answer in 12 to 18 months.
"It is a new industry. It's here. It's here to stay. We want to take advantage of it if we can. We're residents here. I think it's a reasonable request," says Fenech.
The promise of new jobs wasn't enough for some councillors to support the company as it was a 4-2 vote that passed the needed re-zoning.
"The plant is almost going to be automated. The jobs are not all high paying," says Fenech. "There's going to be a fair number of jobs. Twenty-nine jobs are nothing to sneeze at for an industrial centre."
Fenech says growers at the proposed 20,000 sq ft facility will make between $12/hr to $15/hr while managerial and other positions will be higher paying.
