Pot farm lights up sky

Photo: CTV

Bright lights from a newly-registered marijuana grow-op in Langley are keeping neighbours up at night.

Canopy Growth and BC Tweed joined forces to convert what was previously a bell pepper farm into a 30-acre marijuana facility on Feb. 16.

The operators are claiming it's the largest legal marijuana production facility in the world, with room for 300,000 total plants.

Local residents are less than pleased, saying that despite the facility's blackout blinds, the sky around the farm is as bright as day all night long.

"It's really disruptive," said resident Doug Bilesky. "It looks, like, nuclear. It's orange and glowing and then the whole sky lights up."

"It's practically daylight," said Michelle Nicholls. "I walk out of my barn to feed the animals at night and I don't need a flashlight. Whatever shades they're using are either insufficient or not working at all," Nicholls said.

The operators did not respond to requests for comment from CTV News on Sunday.

The Township of Langley said it's aware of the new nature of the business at the greenhouses, but municipal bylaws are inapplicable since the facility has a valid licence from Health Canada. They have given residents a form to fill out with complaints, but whether the township can do anything to address the concerns remains to be seen.

– with files from CTV Vancouver