Medical cannabis producer Santé Veritas Therapeutics is currently awaiting Health Canada approval and licensing in order to proceed with its plans in Powell River.
“Once we complete attestation with Health Canada, which is happening over the next two weeks, things can move forward,” said project manager Bob Poore.
The group sent off all required information to the governing body last week and now awaits a decision, according to Poore.
“We have presented them all the necessary technological aspects of the grow, the growing conditions and equipment,” said Poore. “They’re sending a camera crew to attest to what’s been submitted.”
In the meantime, hiring is underway for roles of high priority to the group.
“We’ve interviewed four people and hired three,” said Poore. “We’re slowly moving forward with hiring because some of the positions are high on the must-fill list.”
Roles filled to date include positions involved with aspects of the grow industry, genetics and logistics, said Poore.
The number of employees Santé Veritas plans to hire has remained the same. The company is expecting to create up 50 to jobs at the facility and is spending between $6 and $7 million on a building conversion.
“That has not changed from the outset,” said Poore.
The facility is located at the old Catalyst Paper Corporation mill administration building on Ash Avenue.
According to Santé Veritas chief executive officer John Walker, in phase one of production the company expects to have 12,500 square feet of growing space and produce 2,800 kilograms of dried marijuana with an estimated value of $19 million per year.
In December, the company secured funding with a $16-million private placement of common shares to proceed with funding of phase one and begin phase two-A, the option to purchase the land to construct a second, 50,000 square-foot building.
Walker said the company is aiming to generate revenue by the end of 2018, if not sooner, and that the company could be looking at opening a few hundred thousand square feet of growing operations in Powell River.
