Former Hershey factory set to transform into medical marijuana grow op

[SLM]

Former Hershey factory set to transform into medical marijuana grow op

Smiths Falls mayor excited for prospect of new jobs


By Michael Aubry ,Ottawa Sun

The scent of chocolate no longer lingers at the Hershey factory in Smiths Falls but an altogether new odour may soon waft from the aging plant.
An Ottawa-based company -- Tweed Inc. -- may soon transform part of the 470,000 sq. ft. plant into a medical marijuana grow op, producing pot for thousands of Canadians who smoke weed for chronic pain and other ailments.
"This is great news for the people of Smiths Falls," said the town's mayor Dennis Staples from his office Wednesday.
Tweed Inc. has put forward an application to Health Canada to build a hydroponics facility taking up 180,000 sq. ft. of the plant, which has lain dormant since it closed in mid-2008.
The company aims to open up shop by April 2014 and hire 20 local workers by the time they open, adding another 80 employees by the time they're fully up and operational.
Staples said it's a ray of light for the small community of 9,000 residents.


Since Hersheys closed a little over five years ago, the town has lost 1,700 jobs -- 500 from the plant itself and the remainder from other large industries that have shuttered their windows in the area.
But Melissa Hillier, executive director of the local Chamber of Commerce, fears a grow-op may put a blemish on the community.
"I've heard both sides," she said. "Some people are worried about the stigma it has attached to it, and others are very excited about the business and the jobs that it will bring."
Staples admitted there may be mixed reaction from the community but he stressed the importance of new jobs.
"In Smiths Falls, we have a vacant plant, it's zoned for this use, and our council has been quite supportive and interested in trying to redevelop jobs that have been lost in this area."
Recent changes to Health Canada's policies on medical marijuana have paved the way for the new push, with legislation allowing large-scale growers to produce and sell marijuana to the more than 36,000 registered Canadians licensed to smoke medical marijuana.
Dave Purdy, a local business owner, welcomes the change.
"Jobs are jobs, and the money that comes into the community stays here," he said. "I have no problem with it.


Former Hershey factory set to transform into medical marijuana grow op | Ottawa & Region | News | Ottawa Sun


They used to make chocolate, now they'll grow pot....there's a "munchies" joke in there somewhere.

 

[tay]

If I lived in Smith falls I'd be excited too...............

 

[MHz]

That is a good point, if it is for pain or other medical purposes it should come in a brownie form rather than being smoked as it is supposed to be acting 24/7 and with a hoot you get an uneven level of 'medication'. Selling it would not be as easy as it is when in comes in smoke-able form. Now that so many more will be pain-free it's off to the new work-camps to process the hemp version of that species as that is the more valuable of the two varieties and it has been legal for some years. More tea perhaps?? Canuck Polar Tea (affectionately known as bear piss) or Bolivian Snake Oil (affectionately known as pop) is the choices that come to mind. Another 'product' could be opium in or bread. Mist the pure stuff at the source so it cannot be smoked or injected and it won't be stolen as often. At the various bakeries it would be cut to a level that two slices of bread would be a tiny among of heroin basically. Just like the old Ukrainian lady down the block did with her poppies.

If I lived in Smith falls I'd be excited too...............

Haven't other places taken that move also, I though Flin Flon converted some old mines into growing chambers. They would do well to invest in lighting via fiber-optics if the story about being able to grow tomatoes with such lighting is true.

Since there are no native plants anymore creating a new strain to take advantage of the summer light would be easy at the first because any change would result in something new and patentable.

 

[Spade]

I enjoyed Smith Falls' Hershey chocolate almond bars. They made them there for all of North America, Then, management moved production South. Now I eat Canadian only.

 

[JLM]

Former Hershey factory set to transform into medical marijuana grow op

Smiths Falls mayor excited for prospect of new jobs


By Michael Aubry ,Ottawa Sun

The scent of chocolate no longer lingers at the Hershey factory in Smiths Falls but an altogether new odour may soon waft from the aging plant.
An Ottawa-based company -- Tweed Inc. -- may soon transform part of the 470,000 sq. ft. plant into a medical marijuana grow op, producing pot for thousands of Canadians who smoke weed for chronic pain and other ailments.
"This is great news for the people of Smiths Falls," said the town's mayor Dennis Staples from his office Wednesday.
Tweed Inc. has put forward an application to Health Canada to build a hydroponics facility taking up 180,000 sq. ft. of the plant, which has lain dormant since it closed in mid-2008.
The company aims to open up shop by April 2014 and hire 20 local workers by the time they open, adding another 80 employees by the time they're fully up and operational.
Staples said it's a ray of light for the small community of 9,000 residents.


Since Hersheys closed a little over five years ago, the town has lost 1,700 jobs -- 500 from the plant itself and the remainder from other large industries that have shuttered their windows in the area.
But Melissa Hillier, executive director of the local Chamber of Commerce, fears a grow-op may put a blemish on the community.
"I've heard both sides," she said. "Some people are worried about the stigma it has attached to it, and others are very excited about the business and the jobs that it will bring."
Staples admitted there may be mixed reaction from the community but he stressed the importance of new jobs.
"In Smiths Falls, we have a vacant plant, it's zoned for this use, and our council has been quite supportive and interested in trying to redevelop jobs that have been lost in this area."
Recent changes to Health Canada's policies on medical marijuana have paved the way for the new push, with legislation allowing large-scale growers to produce and sell marijuana to the more than 36,000 registered Canadians licensed to smoke medical marijuana.
Dave Purdy, a local business owner, welcomes the change.
"Jobs are jobs, and the money that comes into the community stays here," he said. "I have no problem with it.


Former Hershey factory set to transform into medical marijuana grow op | Ottawa & Region | News | Ottawa Sun


They used to make chocolate, now they'll grow pot....there's a "munchies" joke in there somewhere.

I wonder if old Milton Hershey would be impressed! -

 

[tay]

I enjoyed Smith Falls' Hershey chocolate almond bars. They made them there for all of North America, Then, management moved production South. Now I eat Canadian only.

South indeed...........south to Mexico...........

 

[petros]

that is a good point, if it is for pain or other medical purposes it should come in a brownie form rather than being smoked as it is supposed to be acting 24/7 and with a hoot you get an uneven level of 'medication'. Selling it would not be as easy as it is when in comes in smoke-able form. Now that so many more will be pain-free it's off to the new work-camps to process the hemp version of that species as that is the more valuable of the two varieties and it has been legal for some years. More tea perhaps?? Canuck polar tea (affectionately known as bear piss) or bolivian snake oil (affectionately known as pop) is the choices that come to mind. Another 'product' could be opium in or bread. Mist the pure stuff at the source so it cannot be smoked or injected and it won't be stolen as often. At the various bakeries it would be cut to a level that two slices of bread would be a tiny among of heroin basically. Just like the old ukrainian lady down the block did with her poppies.


Haven't other places taken that move also, i though flin flon converted some old mines into growing chambers. They would do well to invest in lighting via fiber-optics if the story about being able to grow tomatoes with such lighting is true.

Since there are no native plants anymore creating a new strain to take advantage of the summer light would be easy at the first because any change would result in something new and patentable.

wtf?

 

[tay]

I wonder if old Milton Hershey would be impressed! -

No he would not be.

Maybe not the pot growing but the shutting down of the plant would have offended him............





Hershey's philanthropy kept going even when the economy struggled and he was nearing the end of his life. In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, Hershey ignited a building mini-boom in his town in order to keep men working. He ordered the construction of a large hotel, a community building and new offices for the Hershey Company.


To those who knew Hershey, his generosity wasn't surprising. Shy and reserved, Hershey's quiet demeanor contrasted greatly with many of America's other business titans. While he seldom wrote or read, and had been forced to leave school early, Hershey was driven to make sure those around him received a great education. His display of wealth was rather modest, if not downright thrifty. His house and the community he'd helped create meant everything to him. When it came to building his own home, he made sure the Hershey Company headquarters was part of the view.


more


Milton Hershey Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story - Biography.com

 

[SLM]

No he would not be.

Maybe not the pot growing but the shutting down of the plant would have offended him............





Hershey's philanthropy kept going even when the economy struggled and he was nearing the end of his life. In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, Hershey ignited a building mini-boom in his town in order to keep men working. He ordered the construction of a large hotel, a community building and new offices for the Hershey Company.


To those who knew Hershey, his generosity wasn't surprising. Shy and reserved, Hershey's quiet demeanor contrasted greatly with many of America's other business titans. While he seldom wrote or read, and had been forced to leave school early, Hershey was driven to make sure those around him received a great education. His display of wealth was rather modest, if not downright thrifty. His house and the community he'd helped create meant everything to him. When it came to building his own home, he made sure the Hershey Company headquarters was part of the view.


more


Milton Hershey Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story - Biography.com

Interesting man.

Hershey bars are still one of my all time favourites. Nice to know that his legacy (with the school) endures along with his chocolate bar recipes.

 

[tay]

We need more Milton Hershey types and less Koch, Walton's, Rinehart's etcetera.............