Marijuana News Article 201341

Pot Forum Shows Support For Small Growers
Concern About Excessive Taxes

Feb 20, 2013
Source

MOUNT VERNON Skagit County's small-farm mentality also appears to apply to marijuana, if comments at Tuesday night's public forum on the now-legal drug are any indication.

Most of the 42 commenters at Tuesday's forum, held by the state Liquor Control Board at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon, mentioned small growers, whether in passing or in passionate appeals to board members who were taking testimony.

This was the fifth in a series of public forums about how to implement Initiative 502, the measure voters passed in November legalizing marijuana with certain restrictions. Other forums have been held in Olympia, Seattle, Vancouver and Spokane. More forums on this topic are planned for Tacoma, Yakima and Bremerton.

The law allows people to possess small amounts of the drug and tasks the state Liquor Control Board with setting up a system to license cannabis producers, processors and retailers.

Until that system is in place and shops open Dec. 1, growing, selling or buying marijuana remains illegal.   The forums are a way for the board to update the public and gather input as it develops rules.

Usually, the board proposes rules and then gathers feedback, Foster told those who attended Tuesday's forum, and added, "But we're here to hear you tonight."

Former county commissioner candidate Nick Petrish was one of many speakers who suggested small growers be considered as the board writes rules for cannabis producers.   He suggested people should be able to sell the plants at farmers markets like other crops.

Jeff McKay, a San Juan County resident, suggested the board borrow some regulations from the alcohol industry. For example, adults can brew up to 200 gallons of wine on their own, so perhaps the same should be allowed for growing cannabis, he said.

Petrish and other speakers raised the specter of Monsanto and other large agriculture corporations dominating the industry.

"Let us produce our own," urged Dawn Darington of Choice Wellness Center in Seattle.   "Let it be fresh, local, organic and small."

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The board has not heard from Monsanto or other large producers, board chair Sharon Foster said after the forum.

The law has a 90-day residency requirement for anyone applying for a license, board member Chris Parr told the crowd between speakers.   Many speakers also brought up the potential economic boost legal marijuana could bring to the state, or at least to cities with retail marijuana stores.

"What cannabis shop is complete without a doughnut shop and a Burger King next door?" said Gary M. Ruehle, who lit up a joint at the end of his testimony.

A point of concern was whether people with past drug charges or arrest records would be allowed to get licenses to grow, process or sell cannabis.   Bringing them into the legal industry would eliminate some black-market competition the state faces, said Don Skakie, a Renton resident and member of a group called Real Legalization.

"I would hate to see anyone not guilty of a crime under 502 be barred from getting a license under 502,"   he said.

Quality control came up several times, as well.   Some suggested that experts test the various strains growers produce, the same as vintners' and brewers' products are tested.

If people know the marijuana at state-licensed stores is the best, they will be willing to buy it there instead of on the black market, speaker Doug Barnet said.

At this stage in the process, the board is seeking input only on how the public thinks cannabis producer licenses should work and be regulated.   More public comment periods and hearings will come later for the processor and retailer licenses.

But that didn't stop many people from mentioning other concerns, especially the taxes the law imposes, which are designated for education, prevention and health care programs.   Foster reminded the crowd several times that the Legislature, not the Liquor Control Board, has the authority to change parts of the law, including taxes.

The board's rule-making process also has no impact on federal law, which prohibits marijuana, or banking laws, medical marijuana or the growing of hemp, Foster said.

Former State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen attended the forum and said she found many of the ideas interesting, particularly about pricing, quality and product testing.   Haugen was defeated in the 2012 election and now hopes to be appointed to a position with the Liquor Control Board.

Board staff will review written input as it drafts the rules, then seek more public comment and have at least one public hearing on them, probably more, so hearings can be held on the east and west sides of the state.   Dates and times for those hearings are not yet set.

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NOTE:  Several things are clear:

     *   Washington and Colorado want a prosperous Pot Industry
     *   Other states are gearing up for pot initiatives
     *   There will be many new Marijuana business opportunities
     *   Populations will vote with their feet
     *   The US Economy is about to be on fire
     *   We already have a successful Medical Marijuana Industry
     *   The citizens demand, and have won, recreational use of pot
     *   The use of Marijuana cat is out of the bag
     *   If you're going to be a player and navigagte the obstacles you can pay for legal help or get the best  Self Help possible

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Pot Forum Shows Support For Small Growers Concern About Excessive Taxes

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Pot Forum Shows Support For Small Growers
Concern About Excessive Taxes