Curtis Braaten speaks to the R.M. of Buckland council on Monday. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Economic growth

Proposed cannabis nursery receives green light from R.M. council

Feb 10, 2020 | 5:12 PM

The seeds have now been planted for what may prove one day to be a first of its kind operation northeast of Prince Albert.

Curtis Braaten, who is more widely known for his Haskap berries, has received approval from the Rural Municipality (R.M.) of Buckland council to have a cannabis nursery on his property. The initial plan was for a micro production facility in his greenhouse, but Braaten explained his investors preferred he take a different direction.

“So all we will do is multiply the plants and what we will sell is small, rooted plants,” he said.

For Braaten, there are two very large advantages to the new approach, the biggest of which is reduced security risk.

“There are a lot less criminals out there that are going to break in to steal some baby plants,” Braaten said.

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The other advantage has to do with smell and the possible annoyance to neighbours. Braaten explained when you have a little cannabis plant rooted, it smells like a plant, not like marijuana.

“A tomato plant smells more than a young cannabis plant,” he said.

Planning Manager Jason Kaptein listens to Curtis Braaten’s business proposal. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Braaten acknowledged he would like one day to open a micro production facility on his property, but would first like to ensure the nursery can become self-sufficient and will be used to help grow any further expansion plans down the road. Braaten’s success will be largely determined on his genetics work.

“One of the easiest analogies is wine. It’s all wine but they all taste different so it all has different values,” he said.

In terms of jobs, Braaten explained he would hire several people including a breeder who would help look for proprietary genetics

“You don’t keep growing the same kind of canola for too many years before there is newer, better stronger faster … and that will be the case for cannabis,” Braaten explained.

Planning manager Jason Kaptein explained the R.M had done a mail out and received no concerns from residents. In terms of special permits, he also explained Braaten would not require any additional special permits at this stage of development.

For his part Braaten, who expressed optimism for his business plan, said he was eager to get started and added his investors, who were starting their own micro-grows, were equally excited to use his crop for their supply.

“These craft growers will produce the champagnes of cannabis,” he said

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell