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Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Sparking up business in Aylmer

Thursday, May 1, 2014

The old Imperial Tobacco factory in Aylmer, Ont., closed since 2007, is set to reopen and manufacture a new kind of tobacky: the wacky kind.

At press time, the Aylmer Express reported that WeedMD Rx Inc. had taken possession of the property, and the London Free Press said WeedMD had been pre-approved to sell medical marijuana under the new Health Canada regulations that came into force April 1. WeedMD chief executive officer Bruce Scully said start-up costs for the venture were $3 million and he hopes to employ 100 people (preferably local) over the next two years.

The Imperial Tobacco plant has a long history in Aylmer. Elgin County's website says the plant opened in 1946. At the height of production, it pumped out 100 million tons of tobacco over six months, employed almost 600 people and was one of Canada's leading exporters. After 50 years of production, the plant was closed when operations moved to Mexico.

Local government is welcoming the venture with open arms. Dave Mennill, mayor of Malahide township, calls it a "win-win situation" and "good news for local employment and tax revenue."

In Colorado, where recreational marijuana sales have been legal since Jan. 1, tax gains are far exceeding expectations. The Associated Press reports a projected revenue of $98 million next fiscal year. Of course, Canadian marijuana would be medicinal, not recreational (unless Justin Trudeau has his way). Nevertheless, the market is still projected to grow to more than $1.3 billion by 2024. BF

Current Issue

June/July 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

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As reported on the OMAFA website fieldcropnews.com, Ontario canola crops are at various growth stages, ranging from seedling to full bloom depending on planting time and region. Winter canola is now fully podded, and harvest is expected to begin soon in Essex and other southern... Read this article online

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According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online

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Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online

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