A plan to build a 123,000-square-foot cannabis greenhouse on the agricultural outskirts of Hamilton, Ont. was rejected by the municipality on Friday, causing a setback for marijuana grower The Green Organic Dutchman, and highlighting an emerging risk for the industry.
Green Organic spent months touting a major expansion to its existing 7,000-sq.-ft. facility in Ancaster, Ont., just west of Hamilton.
However, one of the planned buildings, the main greenhouse, would have greatly exceeded the roughly 20,000-sq.-ft. cap for new marijuana greenhouses in agricultural areas laid out in Hamilton’s zoning bylaws.
Green Organic had applied for a zoning exemption, which was supported by city hall staff. But the request was voted down by city council, with councillors citing concerns about odor, traffic and water use as well as protection of prime agricultural lands.
