Health Canada announced this week that edibles are coming to market in mid-December, just in time for the holidays. This is very timely for new-to-Belleville HEXO, a leader in the cannabis industry. HEXO's Belleville plant will focus on processing, not growing, and is operating in Industrial Park in the former Sears warehouse.
Their impressive 1.3 million square foot cultivation space remaining in Quebec, dried product will be transported from their greenhouse to Belleville for processing. Originally known as the "Hydropothecary", and labelled under this medicinal brand until April, the company chose to make the switch to 'HEXO' offering a more easily-identifiable brand that was conveniently available on both the TSX and NYSE; HEXO being a player in both markets now in mid 2019.
I discussed the HEXO Brand with Isabelle Robillard, Vice-President of Communications for HEXO Corporation before Health Canada's announcement. She was hopeful that Edibles would be regulated come the Fall as HEXO is anxiously awaiting the opportunity to navigate the waters of this new facet of the legal market. HEXO had a fabulous showing with their product "Elixir" winning Product of the Year last season, it will be exciting to see what they are able to accomplish within the edibles space.
The Belleville plant, focused on processing and extractions, will be the main hub for the company's oil-based products and formulations. These formulations will range from a vape series to gummies to beverages, said Isabelle. "HEXO is looking to partner with Fortune 500 companies, like our partnership with Molson which we are very excited about. Products will be infused, or powered if you will, by HEXO, and we are looking to branch out into several industries including cosmetics and confections."
HEXO have strategically positioned themselves across Quebec and Ontario with additional office, cultivation and processing locations in Ottawa, Gatineau, Montreal, Oakville and Vaughan. They were drawn to Belleville thanks to its proximity to the highway, access to skilled labour and convenient positioning between capital cities, explained Isabelle.
Excitingly, HEXO Corp. just acquired Newstrike Brands. If you have been to Spiritleaf in Kingston or heard of Up Cannabis, then you may be familiar with Newstrike Brands' Tragically Hip backed cannabis products and their plants grown to music. Do I sense a future science fair project experimenting with which musical styles are preferred by Cannabis Sativa?
My last question for their Vice-President of Communications: How many jobs can we expect to see this summer? "Belleville can expect to see upwards of 500 new jobs being generated to operate our new production facility and offices".
Looking to apply? Send your resume to: resume.belleville@HEXO.com
Love,
Emilene
The Feminist of Cannabis