Construction is underway on a massive medical cannabis greenhouse off Highway 3A, south of Penticton.

Green Mountain Health Alliance is building a 200,000-square-foot, 16-acre facility capable of producing 15,000 kilograms of medical cannabis a year.

“The Okanagan Valley is an ideal environment for growing cannabis,” company CEO John King said during a groundbreaking ceremony Friday morning.

“It is a great agricultural environment as well as great community with experienced agricultural workers.”

The project is a partnership with the Penticton Indian Band, who will be providing many of the workers both during and after construction.

The company is also in talks with a on-reserve PIB family to develop a 98-acre facility with the capability of building out to over 1-million square feet of greenhouse.

In addition to the jobs, PIB Councillor Kyle Alec says the First Nation is interested in the health benefits of the plant.

“It has so many uses and possibilities from CBD extraction, to medical cannabis being used in edibles and foods or even ointments for people with arthritis,” Alec said.

The Manitoba Metis Federation is a large financial stakeholder in Green Mountain Alliance.

Metis President, Dr. David Chartrand, sits on the company’s board, and says the Metis were impressed with Green Mountain’s attitude towards indigenous people and the environment.

“There was a real cohesion that took place between the Metis Nation's thinking, pathway… and we thought it would be a good investment,” he said.

Chartrand says the Metis Federation will be sharing some of the profits from Green Mountain Health Alliance with the Penticton Indian Band “just for being a partner,” and without an initial PIB investment on the first project.

“As Green Mountain evolves and grows, it will look at different charities and supports across Canada, and different partners across Canada, including indigenous people," he added. "It's not just about making money."

Depending on licensing through Health Canada, the company hopes to have the base facility constructed by the end of September.