April first will be no laughing matter for Debbie Stultz-Giffin. It will be the first of a very expensive medical journey. She began taking medical marijuana to treat the debilitating symtoms of MS. It had been an affordable alternative to prescription drugs. But not any longer. As of April 1st, the federal government has changed the rules around medical marijuana. Only federally approved companies will sell the drug, at a much higher price than before. Debbie Stultz-Giffin is the chair of the Maritimers United for Medicinal Marijuana Society.

But some Islanders like Keith Kennedy, who uses medical marijuana, wants to add another option to that list by starting up a medical marijuana grow-op co-op on PEI. Keith lends his voice to this issue.

An Island farmer is preparing to build a medical marijuana production operation in Charlottetown and says he hopes ground will soon be broken on the facility as his new company clears Health Canada hurdles. Edwin Jewell said he expects to begin construction on the project in the coming months, with plans to build a nearly 14,000-square foot facility and office in the BioCommons Research Park.