Small Alberta town OKs rezoning for proposed medical marijuana facility

A small southern Alberta town could soon be home to a medical marijuana grow operation.

The Green Living Agriculture Company approached the community of Milk River months ago about its proposal to build a facility on the north end of town adjacent to the town's water reservoir.

On Monday, about 90 town residents attended a public hearing on Monday prior to town council approving a bylaw to rezone the land for the proposed site.

Mayor David Hawco says he and most of the community's approximately 900 residents support the project.

He says it would benefit the entire region by bringing jobs.

Hawco says it would be at least a year or more away before shovels go in the ground if the company decides to goes ahead.

"It is not to bring criminals into town, it's not to do any of that, it is to improve the town and improve everything about the town,'' Hawco said.