I feel like I need to add a couple more thoughts here.
The oppositions idea that Cannabis grown in SoCO should only supply SoCO dispensaries would likely violate both state and federal laws. There is no legal way I can think of to legally coerce such a restraint of trade. And the laws of capitalism WILL apply- retailers will buy the best/cheapest product they can get their hands on...which only will lead to either A)- an increased black market in the county or B) a stunning failure rate of SoCo farms...and all the social/economic problems that entails. At the very least it would be guaranteed to end up in court- and given existing law would likely be stayed by the courts for the 1-2 years this winds through the courts. In other words- a non-starter.
And the idea that the cannabis industry can be pushed to warehouses in industrial lands is a joke. Such facilities are VERY limited in SoCo- and we've already seen the prices increase 200-300%- which is impacting many normal businesses. Such a move would only increase these prices, harming many businesses and increasing the prices of many goods in SoCo...for nothing because growers (as I am) will simply move to more friendly counties. But the impact on all county residents will reverberate for 2 or more years until the market shakes out. And regardless of whether SoCo requires “green energy” for the cannabis industry ( another thing not required of any other industry and also a ripe target for expensive legal battles)…. forcing things to be grown in warehouses that can (and should) be grown in nature is a massive waste of resources.
Not to mention- the massive increase of energy usage over outdoor/greenhouse with artificial lighting, air conditioning, fans. Many indoor grows are hydroponic- using chemical fertilizers. Some use soil- which must be disposed of after ever round rather then organically returned to the soil. Yes- much of this will end up in the municipal compost stream…but this still uses a great amount of fossil fuels. Add to this the plastic pots, light bulbs and the myriad other expendables of indoor growing.
And I’ll be the first to admit- their are many who prefer indoor cannabis because it tends to be prettier and slightly stronger. At the same time- there are many consumers who will not, under any circumstances, consume indoor cannabis because it has no soul. No Terroir. How many people do you think would drink wine made from grapes grown in artificial conditions, even it scores points higher in several metrics?
Finally, I’d urge people to email the board of supervisors. I’d say this is especially important for people in David Rabbit and James Gore’s districts- both of whom are up for re-election this year. IMHO Rabbit and Zane are the industries staunchest foes. Gore ever so slightly less so. Gorin is a mixed bag, and Hopkins is the only ally.
Susan Gorin: [email protected]
David Rabbitt: [email protected]
Shirlee Zane: [email protected]
James Gore: [email protected]
Lynda Hopkins: [email protected]
And, I guess I'll add one more thought. For decades many of us in this industry have had to hide our lives. Some people would instantly judge us if they knew what we did. Many more would assume we were rich (hello- my truck is old enough to drink. My computer is 8 years old. I've had one real vacation in 20 years.
About a decade or so ago I started saying we need to learn from the LGBTQ movement. We needed to come "out of the closet" so to speak- because nothing would change until people realized that people they knew. They respected. They loved...were cannabis users and cannabis growers. And sadly...we still have a long way to go because it sems everyone from Supervisor Rabbit to many of the folks opposed to cannabis are still unwilling to meet with and engage in honest and open discussion with those of us in the cannabis industry.