Termini said that Flora will be partnering onsite with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center on research to create "proper formulations of cannabis strains to treat symptoms from chemotherapy drugs."

"The idea is if you can treat the symptoms of the chemo drugs, patients could withstand longer treatment cycles of chemotherapy and they could more effectively treat cancer."

The marijuana project marks an unusual entry into the Western New York market for Termini, whose father is known for his real estate development and historic renovation projects in Buffalo, including the Hotel @ the Lafayette. The younger Termini, who got his own start working as a construction laborer for his father, left for California in 2003, working first for an established developer before striking out on his own with Zephyr in 2008.

"You kind of learn by osmosis when you’re around my dad your whole life," he said.

Zephyr today focuses on luxury residential and hotel projects, particularly in Southern California, with an emphasis on San Diego, Orange, Riverside and Monterey counties. The company has a $2 billion development portfolio with 15 projects, but Termini recently decided to start looking for development opportunities in his hometown.