The township is in the process of updating bylaws to try and help bring the situation under control, but Ward 6 Coun. Avia Eek said ramshackle greenhouse operations keep cropping up in the marsh and elsewhere.
The simple fact of the matter is marijuana is a lot more lucrative for farmers to grow than vegetables or flowers.
Tony Bajar has been growing flowers in greenhouses on Keele Street in the marsh for 45 years. He’s now looking to sell his operation and says he can fetch double the price selling to marijuana growers.
“I can tell you there's not so much money in (flowers),” he said. And it seems other greenhouse operators have noticed the same thing.
Bajar said more and more have joined the fray in growing medicinal marijuana. That means there was more money in the flower business this year, but Bajar said it is time to get out of the business all together.
“Our industry has been going broke,” he said. “Growers want the best price for product. Greenhouse builders are happy. They can’t build enough greenhouses.”