Economic Interest

$570,000 - $836,000

Potential annual wages for full-time employees

20 - 25

Full-time employment opportunities at Grass Roots, excluding seasonal workers, as well as contractors and consultants

DIRECT IMPACT

Tax Revenue, Vertical Economic Integration, Transition from illicit to legal market (consumers and operators alike)

ECONOMIC INTERESTS

Within Canada, cannabis production is a lucrative and expanding industry that offers significant economic potential for the Municipality of North Cowichan. Under Health Canada’s regulations, each micro-cultivation facility could employ between 3-5 individuals, as each production facility requires (at minimum): Head of Security, Master Grower, and Quality Assurance Person. It has been noted that during harvest times (approximately every 60 days,) there may be a need for seasonal or part-time employees. The average salary for cannabis employees across Canada is approximately $38,000 per year 14 , or $20.00 per hour.

For Grass Roots, it is anticipated that each of the 12 microcultivation sites will need 2 to 3 staff members working part-time for 4 hours a day, 6 days a week. Taking into consideration all 12 units, this translates to approximately 20 to 25 full-time positions, or $760,000 to $950,000 in potential annual wages –this not including seasonal workers or contractors offering specialty services (e.g. electricians, HVAC specialists, security consultants and more.)

Furthermore, harvesting the rooms would require an additional crew of 6 to 9 people. With 48 rooms in the complex, harvesting on an 8-week schedule would mean that the crew has consistent employment opportunities and is engaged on a daily basis.