A massive outdoor cannabis grow-op east of Kamloops is hoping to start growing this summer.

Aurora Cannabis has been granted two licenses from Health Canada to start growing in Westwold, on a piece of land called it calls ‘Aurora Valley’ next to Highway 97 on Pinaus Lake Road.

“That’s a very large outdoor cultivation opportunity, it’s about 207 acres, which is something over nine million square feet. And I think it’s one of the largest, if not the largest, licensed areas for cannabis production not just in Canada but in the world, Aurora chief corporate officer Cam Battley tells NL News.

“We think it’s entirely appropriate that B.C. gets to play a leading role as cannabis expands in Canada, not just on the medical side but on the consumer side as well. Because B.C. has long been world-famous for its cannabis and we think under the new regime that continues to expand in Canada, and around the world, that B.C. should continue to play a leading role.”

Being located next to Highway 97, chief corporate officer Cam Battley was asked about the smell that could come from the site.

“If you can even smell it if you’re very close it, what you’re smelling is just a plant growing. And it’s very important for people to know there are no cannabinoids, or active pharmaceutical ingredients, in that smell. What you’re smelling is the terpenes, which are the aromatic compounds that give each cannabis cultivars distinctive smell and taste. So these are very common terpenes that are found in lots of agricultural products.”

Battley couldn’t speculate on the number of jobs the cannabis grow-op could bring for the Westwold area.

(Photo: Aurora Cannabis)