As Washington State celebrates the
one-year birth of recreational marijuana legalization, growers and consumers
reflect on the journey.
On July 8, 2014 recreational
marijuana became accessible to purchase by the public. Since that date,
marijuana producers have attempted to work out the kinks, jump through the
hoops, and learn the ways of the trade as they each attempt success at the
business.
Legal marijuana is quickly becoming
one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. According to the State of Legal Marijuana Markets report
conducted by the ArcView Group, “Legal cannabis markets in the United States
are expected to grow 32% over the next year.” In a giant leap from 2013 to
2014, the industry as a whole reached $2.7 billion totaling a 74% expansion
rate from the previous year, according the same report.
North Coast Growers, a recent
recreational marijuana producing and processing facility in Anacortes, Wash.,
officially launched on May 21, 2015. After more than a year of planning and
preparation, North Coast Growers is in full swing after only two weeks of being
open to the public.
Throughout the process of obtaining
the right permits, paying application fees and insurance policies, determining
locations and other means, being thorough and complete in every step was the
goal of the North Coast Growers crew, explained Jordan Johnson, Manager of
Processing.
According to the Washington State
Liquor Control Board, I-502 creates license requirements that are separated
into three basic tiers: marijuana processor, producer, and retailer. Washington
State does not allow an individual or a business to hold all three licenses.
Therefore, someone cannot be both a producer and a retailer of their own crop
or be a processor and retail their own processes. One can, however, process and
produce simultaneously which is the route North Coast Growers is taking.
Taxes are the most challenging and
warring piece of this industry, said Matthew Sampson, owner of North Coast
Growers. “The state’s stake is greedy and unsustainable,” he said.
Consumers, however, see taxes
differently. “I think there are more benefits to having marijuana be legal. It
gives people a choice to use it or not, and keeps more people out of jail for
minor crimes,” said Luke Gillespie, consumer and supporter of I-502. “It costs
taxpayers less and it could potentially create a new market to be traded
internationally,” he said.
Another challenge faced by the
industry is the negative reputation it can often render. When asked if he ever
feels the stereotype projected on the business Jordan Johnson responded, “A
majority of the time, but that is what we are trying to change in the company.”
Appearance matters in this industry, especially when you are trying to portray
professionalism, he said. “We want the cleanest, most professional environment
we can possibly create. Following the rules, walking the talk, and going by the
book has been our philosophy,” Johnson said.
Pair that with consistent, efficient, sustainable gardening and it will
surely lead to success, he said.
Despite steep fees and long periods
of wait time, there is evidence that reflects the value of the industry.
Watching a business develop from the ground up, literally, is an experience
that will be hard to reciprocate Johnson said.
The marijuana industry is rapidly
growing and there is no evidence that supports the end of the growth. According
to the report by ArcView Group, by year 2019, it is estimated that marijuana
sales will total $10.8 billion. ArcView Group also estimates that by year 2020
an additional 14 states will pass the use of marijuana for adults.
“Being on the forefront of an
industry that has the ability to positively impact our nation, our species, and
our planet in a hugely positive way, is the most rewarding aspect of the
business,” Sampson said.
