There are five licensed marijuana producers in Hamilton and one family-run facility is looking to bring more life to the city’s northeast side.

Four years ago, Ziad Reda and his family decided to transform a former window-making facility into a marijuana production plant.

“Grew up on the mountain on Upper Gage and Stonechurch, went to Barton high school, we’re just local guys and we love this city.”

Reda’s family have been a part of Hamilton’s businesses community ever since they immigrated from Lebanon in the 80’s. The family started the Big Bee convenience store franchise which has over 50 locations in Ontario.

Now it’s Ziad’s turn to create his own brand, Radicle Medical and Gage Recreational Cannabis.

The company first got their production licence in January of this year and have been cultivating the plants ever since. Last week Gage Cannabis received it’s retail licence and will soon have their products on Ontario’s Cannabis website and potentially a physical dispensary onsite next year.

The company currently employs 42 people but hopes to grow to as many as 150 by the end of next year. The facility is currently going through two expansions at the Beach and Gage site which they say will lead to more hires.