Biopharmaceutical company MediJean is one step closer to becoming a producer of medical marijuana, following a public hearing on Monday night.
Richmond City Council passed site specific zoning for MediJean's research and development facility on Horseshoe Way in southeast Richmond.
Save for one letter of objection, based on MediJean's location within an industrial park, there was no opposition to the plan, which was initially unanimously approved at a city council meeting last month.
"They put us through a rigorous process, they dissected every component of our business, they ensured our operation would not have any impact on the city and we respect them for that," said Chris Dollard, chief operating officer for MediJean.
Richmond bylaws state that a medical marijuana production facility must apply for specific zoning to operate. MediJean applied for such zoning late last year.
Throughout the process, MediJean executives have made great strides to communicate the process with the public, according to Anton Mattadeen, chief strategy officer for MediJean.
"Members of our team have been focused specifically on how to communicate this new business in this emerging industry," said Mattadeen. Such efforts included tours of the facility to city councillors and media.
MediJean must now get a producer's licence from Health Canada.
When that happens, 90,000 kilograms of medical pot could be produced in the first year.
The medical marijuana industry is expected to be worth more than $1 billion within the next few years, according to the federal government.
