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This past week, the municipality of Weedon, Quebec approved the construction of a 1.5 million square foot greenhouse for the production and cultivation of cannabis within MYM Nutraceuticals Inc.’s facility.

This news comes as the federal government’s proposed law, Bill C-45 to legalize cannabis for recreational use awaits Senate approval with the expected date having been delayed to at least August of this year. The federal legislation includes a number of licensing requirements for potential processors and cultivators of the product.

Although in Quebec Bill 157 was introduced in November, 2017, we still await the results of hearings before the committee on health and social services and the passage of a recreational cannabis bill to address the sale and distribution of cannabis. In the meantime, licensed producers and cultivators are gearing up for an anticipated late summer kick-off date. The interplay of the federal and provincial legislation will not only have an impact on licensing and regulatory matters but also on commercial and residential lease issues, employment matters as well as hiring and internal policies to deal with cannabis use by employees.

Our team of lawyers is strategically placed to guide and advise on a myriad of issues clients may well face in this new space, including licensing and regulatory approval assistance, general corporate structuring, financing, M&A and tax advice. We encourage you to contact one of our professionals in order to meet the challenges that these laws will create.