PELHAM, Ont. -- Licensed producer CannTrust Holdings Inc. has got the green light from municipal authorities to proceed with the expansion of its cultivation facility in Pelham, Ont., but with a smaller footprint.

The Vaughan-based company says it has received the necessary permits from the Town of Pelham which would allow for a footprint of up to 36,232 square metres, instead of the 55,742 square metres in its initial application.

CannTrust's announcement comes after the Town of Pelham last fall took steps to rein in the growing number of licensed producers in the southern Ontario town after residents complained about light pollution and odour.

In October, Pelham banned any new cannabis cultivation facilities and existing ones were prohibited from expanding for one year under an interim control bylaw.

CannTrust said in December its expansion application to Pelham was submitted before the bylaw was enacted, but it had not received the necessary permits.
Its chief executive Peter Aceto says CannTrust is pleased with its recent discussions with town authorities and it plans to address the community's light pollution concerns with additional fan ventilation so its facilities' shades can be completely closed.

"We believe this decision reflects our view that we are a trusted member of the community and that we are intent on listening to our stakeholders," said Aceto in a statement. "The demand for our medical and recreational products continues to be well in excess of supply and we are keen to move ahead with the Phase III expansion and meet our capacity targets."

Cannabis Canada is BNN Bloomberg’s in-depth series exploring the stunning formation of the entirely new – and controversial – Canadian recreational marijuana industry. Read more from the special series here and subscribe to our Cannabis Canada newsletter to have the latest marijuana news delivered directly to your inbox every day.