In this week’s Manx Independent, we report on big plans that could make a big impact on our economy.

A giant cultivation centre for the production of medicinal cannabis is being proposed on a site near Douglas. It’s being backed by a big-name developer, so it’s not a fly-by-night operation.

Also this week:

Four pages of coverage of the Isle of Man’s Budget.

Plans for a development in place of the former Newson’s building on North Quay.

Police have made 25 arrests since the implementation of new powers for drug driving – which were also used before they had the power to do so, as the Manx Independent exclusively revealed last month.

Sheryl Macleod is running, walking and swimming 150 miles in memory of her father. We have a story about her fundraising.

Former army Lieutenant Colonel Angela Owen has received her OBE from Princess Anne.

Continuing our series about smaller charities, we shine a spotlight on Disability Networks.

Philip James Heaney, a drink-driver whose car ended up on its roof in a ditch, has been punished.

We ask Lawrie Hooper about potential conflicts of interest as a government minister and as leader of the Liberal Vannin party.

In his fitness column, Danny Kane muses about resilience after breaking his foot playing football just three weeks after recovering from a broken hand playing rugby.

As a tribute to her family links to the north of the island, Dilys Sowrey has created a musical, ‘Ayres and Braces’, based on her mother’s life as a farmer’s wife and stalwart member of the Bride Chapel community.

The Port St Mary Cabaret Party will present its family pantomime ‘1001 Arabian Nights’ soon.

The centre pages spread features the Douglas Choral Union’s stunning production of ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ at the Gaiety Theatre.

Kirk Michael’s Brandon Cain is in the Austrian Alps chasing his own Winter Olympics dream.

There are 10 pages of sport in total.

There is also plenty of community news, a page of your letters, the latest from the Manx Bard, our puzzles pages, the gig guide and a seven-day television guide.

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