Mystery applicant wants pot production plant in Paradise
Town council won’t say who is behind medical marijuana proposal, or release application information
An unnamed party has applied for approval to operate a medical marijuana production facility in Paradise, but the town council won't say who is behind the plan or release details of the application.
A notice posted on the Town of Paradise website invited public comments for the proposed development, which would be a discretionary use under municipal zoning regulations.
The deadline to comment was Friday.
In an email to CBC News, a spokeswoman said that "due to privacy requirements, the town is not able to identify the applicant or provide a copy of the application."
CBC News requested further details on those privacy requirements, as well as clarification on how citizens could comment on the proposed development if they can't get details on what is being proposed.
The town said it is "required to protect personal information" under the province's Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Council added that the proposal would see the facility operate 24 hours a day, and employ approximately 30 people in total.
More information may become available at some point — the town stressed that any green light under this process would require approval at a public meeting.
Shaun White, president of Pinehill Holdings Limited — the company listed as owner of 1956 Topsail Rd. in the provincial registry of deeds — did not respond to a phone message left Monday evening by CBC News.
According to public records, Pinehill Holdings bought the land in August.
Workers could be seen on the roof of the building at 1956 Topsail Rd. Tuesday morning.
Not related to Canopy Growth plan
Late Tuesday morning, Canopy Growth — the Ontario-based firm that inked a cannabis supply deal with the Newfoundland and Labrador government in December — said the Paradise site is not theirs.
Canopy Growth had initially refused to confirm or deny whether the Paradise application had any link to its plans in the province.
Canopy has secured a site for its planned production facility on the northeast Avalon, but won't yet reveal the location.