— from Sandy Strehlou —
This morning I woke up to read the following comment on a FaceBook thread. In sum, the writer was expressing glee that San Juan Sun Grown is closing its doors and just laid off 16 employees:
“YAY!! Minority opinion anymore but this kind of thing [SJSG] is not good for a lot of different people and reasons. Yep, I’m that gal.”
Regardless of how you feel about legalizing recreational cannabis or cannabis farming, the loss of 16 jobs is devastating for the workers and has real implications for our community
Besides being our neighbors and deserving of our support, their wages are important for the local economy. The dollars they earn support local businesses and support yet other workers jobs and families. It paid their rent and mortgages. The now unemployed workers were young and old, people who got up every day and went to work. They deserve our respect and empathy, just as we felt for the employees of Downriggers when the fire happened.
San Juan Sun Grown also contributed to the local economy by purchasing materials locally, hiring a construction crew and farm and processing workers and paying into Social Security and other taxes. On San Juan Island a workforce of 16 is significant.
This is just one of the many outcomes caused by the political, legal and economic attack on our local cannabis farms, farmers, their families and employees.
So no matter how one feels about marijuana, please understand that what has happened, what is still happening, and what is at stake is more far-reaching than a momentary high.Regardless of how you feel about legalizing recreational cannabis or cannabis farming, the loss of 16 jobs is devastating for the workers and has real implications for our community.
Does Orcas Issues usually publish unsigned letters?
The letter wasn’t signed at the bottom, but there is a byline at the top just under the headline as if it were an article instead.
Thanks, Jim. I either missed it or it’s been added.
Just think of the great wineries on the islands … This could be similar. It’s a shame to see all that great local skill going to waste.
Marijuana, the Devil Weed! We’ve got to stamp it out, wherever it grows!
How do I know? Why, because when I was in grade school, we were shown that great, government-produced, written, and directed, epic 1939 film, “Reefer Madness.”
Yes, folks, the subject is marijuana: The plant that causes young women to strip off their clothing as soon as they get their first whiff, and then to commit unspeakable acts with the next moral degenerate who comes along.
“Moral degenerate”? Why, that’s your son, sir, addicted to the Devil Weed since he first entered kindergarten.
Wipe it out, I say, regardless of the social cost! Never mind the loss of jobs and tax revenue, and the fact that the stuff is now quite legal.
According to “Reefer Madness,” just stopping the marijuana-growing business is not enough: Those child-killing farmers should be stood up against a wall and shot.
Yeah. Right.
Hmmm, you don’t suppose they decided to move to eastern WA to lower cost of: labor, land, electricity? Nah!
As a county, we overwhelmingly voted to legalize sale, use AND production of marijuana in Washington. Folks, in a democracy you don’t always get what you, personally, want. Sadly, self-interested ‘my opinion is more important’ squeeky-wheel minority rule seems to be the case these days. I’m not interested in their products myself, but vigorously defend their right to a legal livelihood. Given all the regulation already in place, I don’t see a reason to feel threatened by having them around.
San Juan Sun Grown was forced to close down operations due to the cost of the lawsuits and the SEPA appeals. The investment in the property and greenhouse farm was considerable, but David Rice invested here because it would support his sister’s 76 acre horse farm and because he grew up here. He also had the crazy notion that it would provide jobs here and be good for the local economy. Prior to being forced out SJSG was awarded the equivalent of green certification, the only farm in WA to be so honored. He lost considerable amount attempting to grow here, and now his sister’s farm is at risk. Simply not the island way.
Public opinion of a plant! I wish everyone could back up and hear how ridiculous the entire debate is! It grows. It’s part of the “God-given” ecosystem. It’s here for a reason as much as you or I. The fact that smokng it makes you silly is one of a thousand uses for the plant. Juicing the plant – which does not get you the least bit high – has been found to cure all kinds of otherwise untreatable diseases. Let science do the research! The life you save may be your own! (Hows that for an anti-reefer madness slogan?)
SJSG wasn’t in business that long. Where were these 16 people working before SJSG? Did those employers fill all 16 of the vacated positions or is it possible that some of these people can go back to prior jobs? Agricultural business models on Orcas are quite difficult. Just ask the people who used to grow apples commercially…
Stay warm and happy.
Neil Kaye