What once was used to grow seedlings for reforestation across Manitoba will now be used to grow hemp.
On Friday, February 22, 2019, the province announced that they had reached a deal to sell the assets of the Pineland Forest Nursery to Botanist Organic Growers Corp. The agreement will see the company use the crown land the nursery is situated on under a long-term lease agreement.
We’re looking forward to building a global leader in hemp CBD right here in Manitoba.
-Duncan Gordon-
Botanist Organic Growers Corp intends to grow hemp and establish a processing facility that will turn the hemp into biomass for cannabidiol (CBD) material. CBD is a substance found in hemp that is non-intoxicating and can be used as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-anxiety and seizure-suppressant.
“Over the next few years, we will be investing tens of millions of dollars into production facilities, and research and development. We also plan to create an education centre to raise awareness to the role hemp CBD with no THC can play in providing natural treatments for physical and mental well-being,” said Duncan Gordon, chairman and co-founder of Botanist Organic Growers.
The province says that all of the employees who worked at the nursery have bee redeployed within government and alternate positions have been offered to seasonal staff. It is expected the new venture will employ upwards of 200 people over the next three years.
Pineland Forest Nursery is near Hadashville about 100 kilometres east of Winnipeg.
