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The looming legalization of recreational marijuana is helping spur a green rush by more than a dozen companies setting up cannabis production facilities in the greater Edmonton region.

The ganjapreneurs range from multibillion-dollar giants such as Aurora Cannabis and Canopy Growth to a potpourri of local players looking to invest millions where they see massive potential for growth.

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“It’s almost like somebody just discovered oil with the amount of jobs, the amount of technology being put into it,” says Aaron Barr, chief executive of Canadian Rockies Agricultural Inc., which plans to build a facility in Strathcona County.

Health Canada has authorized three licensed producers in the greater Edmonton region — Aurora Sky by the Edmonton International Airport, GrenEx Pharms in south Edmonton and Acreage Pharms near Edson.

As well, 10 other firms have described plans to run facilities, while several more couldn’t be reached for comment. Information about what’s on tap came from consulting people in the industry.