A high-tech cannabis campus with hundreds of new jobs is in the works on Buffalo's waterfront. The facility would be located just off Route 5 in Lakeside Commerce Park.
The sale of 47 acres of land for the project was appoved Friday by the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation. Its chair, Mayor Byron Brown, says Flora California Prime already operates in a state where recreational marijuana is legal. Brown says the deal includes community benefits and community protections.
"This positions the City of Buffalo to be at the leading edge of this industry, if the sale of recreational marijuana is approved this legisaltive session as is expected to be the case," Brown said.
Brown says the company has a very successful track record in California when it comes to community outreach and involving the urban community.
The mayor says Flora California Prime is committed to minority and women owned business participation and city resident hiring goals. The company is planning to invest $200 million in the facility and employ between 500 and 1,000 people.
If Flora California Prime does not obtain all the necessary state approvals by the end of the year, Brown says the BUDC can take the land back.