A cannabis oil extraction and processing facility will soon open in Delta.
Following a public hearing Monday afternoon, Delta council granted approval for Embark Health Inc. to rezone and retrofit an existing three-storey industrial building on Annacis Island in order to establish a production facility with an associated research and development component.
Embark plans are to purchase cannabis materials from licensed producers to extract cannabinoids. The extracted oils would be sold or processed in an array of cannabis-based consumer products.
A staff report notes the business model includes innovative extraction technology and equipment as well as a clinical and lab research component to support the medical market.
Embark has advised there is interest from the medical community in developing extraction technology so that extremely pure forms of the cannabinoids can be obtained.
The report also notes Embark has established partnerships with a number of post-secondary clinical research labs, including the University of British Columbia, McGill University and Stanford University.
The retail sales of cannabis or any products containing or derived from cannabis remains prohibited under the city’s zoning bylaw.
Delta staff was supportive of the proposed location of the production facility, noting there’s been no problems with another marijuana facility, Zenabis, also located on Fosters Way.
Other than a brief presentation from Embark, there were no speakers for or against the proposal at Monday’s public hearing.
Embark's website notes, “In addition to being the production hub and lab for Embark’s cannabis extraction, this facility is proposed to be one of the first large independent Canadian edibles kitchens.”
