KENTVILLE – A Kentville cannabis producer says a new partnership between his company and a national investment network will grow local economic benefits and jobs.
Andrew Robinson is the owner of Robinson’s Cannabis, the soon to be Kentville-based cannabis production facility newly acquired by Cannabis Wheaton’s, a network of investors that provides capital support to cannabis enterprises across Canada and is excited about this new partnership.
Robinson described how the partnership will take his budding company from a local enterprise to the national and global markets, saying this is “something our team is so excited about.”
“Now we’ve got a big team behind us and we’ve all got the same goal. It’s a really good energy and vibe,” he said.
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“A very enthusiastic yes:” Alves
Network president and director Hugo Alves echoed Robinson, describing the “synergy” both teams felt when meeting two years ago.
When Robinson approached them to acquire all shares of his company, Alves said he and his team “gave a very enthusiastic yes.”
The companies swapped shares, with Wheaton’s acquiring all of Robinson's shares for a total $14,000,000, a sum issued as nearly 9.4 million shares in Wheaton’s capital to Robinson’s shareholders.
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So now each has a massive stake in the other, according to Robinson, which both see as a huge advantage. Alves and his team conducted tests which revealed the Robinson product always scored above 96 out of 100, and even scored a perfect 100 on a few tests.
An average test score for cannabis ranges from 75 to 85 out of 100, according to Alves.
“Andrew is certainly in the top most knowledgeable, dedicated growers we’ve ever come across. He and his team have a very professional approach to cultivation and have structured their academic lives around their passion for it,” said Alves, referencing the several university degrees for cultivation, agriculture and plant science each team member has received.
“This product is for the cannabis connoisseur. The same people who buy expensive cheeses, fine wines and craft beer will look for this,” said Alves.
A new facility and new jobs
Robinson’s will continue building its 27,700 square foot cannabis cultivation facility and is set for completion by December.
Robinson, who grew up in Cambridge, hosted Alves earlier in May to show them the facility – located within Kentville’s industrial park – and the Annapolis Valley region that’s fast becoming a spot for pot production.
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He looks forward to this investment helping create 20 local jobs this summer, and another 10 by the fall.
“This is an opportunity for the area – we’ve got some people who went to school specifically for this, like we did,” he said.
The company has passed all of Health Canada’s reviews for the Confirmation of Readiness stage while waiting to receive its license. Once the building is finished and approved, production will begin, followed by Health Canada facility inspections and product tests before their cultivation and later sales licenses are awarded.
With the New Minas NSLC now set to stock cannabis once legalization is legislated, Robinson is looking forward to the prospect of a local product sold on local shelves.
“Our goal is to do good in this industry. We start local, build a national brand, and expand to a global market – that’s the dream. This is just going to keep growing,” said Robinson.
