MACON, Ga.—On July 24, the FFD GA Holdings, LLC (“FFD”) was selected by the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission to build a state-of-the-art, GMP-certified medical cannabis cultivation and production facility in Macon-Bibb County, Georgia.
“Fine Fettle is incredibly excited to have been selected as one of the six companies to provide low THC oil to the patients of Georgia. We are confident Georgia can and will become the premier medical marijuana program in America,” said Jeremy Fort, CEO of FFD. “We cannot wait to bring these positive elements to Macon, creating strong partnerships, bonds, and economic growth to the community.”
The facility will be located on more than 10 acres of land in the Ocmulgee East Industrial Park, which is owned by the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority. Construction of the new facility is expected to invest $30-50 million in the local economy, and FFD has guaranteed a majority will be spent with local and minority businesses. Site preparation and construction should begin in the coming weeks. Once operational, FFD will employ nearly 100 well-paying jobs in high, medium, and low skill jobs while offering healthcare, employee-sponsored retirement plans, and very competitive salaries.
“Fine Fettle has assembled an impressive team of business, cannabis experts, and security professionals,” Robert Fountain, Chairman of the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority, told the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission in 2020. “This team is exceptionally qualified with management and operational expertise and is a trailblazer in medical cannabis research and educational initiatives.”
“Our team is an incredible mix of local Georgians who know and love our state, plus best-in-class medical marijuana and pharmacy operators. Our team is eager to bring such a powerhouse group to provide excellent and safe medication to patients around Georgia,” says Fort, adding they also will be investing heavily in the community through many organizations. “We will be a partner in the community, supporting charities throughout the community. We plan to work with healthcare, veterans, substance abuse, and academia.”
FFD has already set up a program to donate revenue to local charities, governed by a board made up of community leaders and none of the FFD team, thus ensuring the funding goes into the most deserving and in need.
The project for this new facility began in late 2019 when FFD approached the Industrial Authority in their search for a suitable site to meet the application requirements of the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission. Out of 69 applicants to manufacture low-THC cannabis oil for medicinal use in Georgia, only six got the licensure required to proceed. This rigorous selection process comes two years after the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 324 allowing patient use of medical cannabis oil.
The facility will have security measures that ensure public safety. Prior to the application submission, FFD reviewed and discussed plans with local police and fire departments. The facility will be monitored inside and out with 360-degree camera coverage and only employees and local law enforcement will have access. Additionally, all products are completely secure and always tracked to not allow any diversion or theft.
FFD is a majority-minority owned business enterprise and is 87 percent owned by Georgia residents, including military veterans.
The Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority is #MaconOpportunities for Macon-Bibb County in the form of new industry and increased employment options.
