23-acre marijuana cultivation facility to be built near The Villages – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

A 23-acre marijuana cultivation facility is to be built near The Villages.

Planet 13, which operates marijuana superstores and cultivation facilities in California, Las Vegas and Illinois, is behind the facility to be located in Summerfield. The exact site has yet to be disclosed. Conceptual plans call for the construction of a one-story above grade industrial development. The construction timeline has not been determined, but work is not expected to begin before the later half of 2024. The project is estimated to cost $5 million.

The facility in Summerfield will be the primary location for Planet 13’s grow and production operations in Florida, according to information on the company’s website. Planet 13 has set an ambitious target for opening 15 retail locations within the next two years in the Sunshine State.

In 2021, Planet 13 paid $55 million to acquire a license from Harvest Health & Recreation Inc., allowing it to enter the Florida market. Licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (“MMTCs”) are vertically integrated and the only businesses in Florida authorized to dispense medical marijuana cannabis to qualified patients and caregivers.

“Florida has long been one of our most coveted markets with over 20 million residents, 130 million annual visitors and incredible consumer demand already demonstrated in the medical program. It was important for us to enter the market prior to a transition to adult-use to put the pieces in place to capitalize on this…