Corner Brook's BeeHighve is now N.L.'s first licensed cannabis producer

A Corner Brook company is hopingto sweeten the pot literally for the province's cannabis users now that it officially has a license to cultivate from Health Canada.

BeeHighvejust became the first company in the province licensed to produce cannabis, which means people in Newfoundland and Labrador will soon be able to buy locally-grown products at retail storesfor the first time.

"The sky is the limit, actually," said Rita Hall, BeeHighve's CEO.

For now, all of the province's supply comes from companies based in mainland Canada.

Biome Grow, an Ontario-based company, has plans to build the province's largest production facility inthe Bay St. George area next year.

BeeHighveis operating in one of the old TeleglobeCanada buildings on the outskirts of Corner Brook, and they'rehoping to expand with plans to have 55,000 square feet in the province by 2021 and an additional 45,000 square feet in New Brunswick, Mark German, vice president of BeeHigh Vital Elements Inc., told CBCNews.

"I think it willget the economy going here in Corner Brook," Hall said.

She's also hoping to boost the economy in New Brunswick, with plans for a facility on the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation reserve, inMadawaskaCounty.

Making munchies

Once the legislation for edible products is worked out and passed, Hall saidBeeHighveplans to specializein cannabis-infused treats made from Newfoundland and Labrador honey.

"Chocolates and brownies andcookies," she said. "And healthy edibles, too"

In the meantime, sheplans to startwith some quick-growing cannabis strains and expand from there.

She'll have to send samples of everything BeeHighve grows to Health Canada to be approved, she said.

BeeHighvevice-president Mark German saidonce they're producing their own product line, they'll be able to sell it to the NLC for distribution to licensed retail stores.

Customers will also be able to buy their products online through the NLC'scannabis website, he said.

Hall said BeeHighveis just waiting for an occupancy permit,which should arrive in about two weeks, to get growing.

With files from JenniferGrudi

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