Pubdate: Fri, 8 Oct 2010
Source: Times-Standard (Eureka, CA)
Copyright: 2010 Times-Standard
Contact: http://www.times-standard.com/writeus
Website: http://www.times-standard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1051
Author: Jordan Anderson
Note: Jordan Anderson, owner of NCCFA, resides in Willits.
Cited: Proposition 19 http://yeson19.com/
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/find?272 (Proposition 19)

GOING LEGIT, IF PROPOSITION 19 PASSES

If you are like me, you are one of thousands of commercial medical 
marijuana growers in Northern California, and you, like me, are 
concerned about what Prop. 19, the "tax and control" initiative will 
do to our economy. You have thrived in a community that supports and 
even depends on the (variably legal) medical marijuana commerce. If 
you are like me, when you first heard about the initiative, your 
first desire was to vote against it. You have exhausted hours 
discoursing with friends, acquaintances, and probably even strangers 
about how this will hinder our community and its economy. You, like 
me, are scared of change and the end of our day in the sun.

One thing I've noticed, though, when talking about legalization with 
friends, associates, etc., is that the general consensus seems to be, 
"Well, I'm just going to wait, play it safe, and see how it all plays 
out." But with November rolling ever closer, polls are continuously 
gaining support for Prop. 19, and rumors are buzzing like honeybees. 
I'm sure you've heard the ones about indoor warehouses in Oakland 
that are supposed to produce 120 pounds per day once their cycles get 
going. You've heard about Phillip-Morris weasels buying up land in 
the mountains/farm regions of Northern California. The threat of 
legal loopholes and corporate commercialization will swallow up our 
small private farms (now considered full-scale, commercial grow-ops), 
and our way of life will come to an end.

Well, I'm proposing we do something about it! We are pioneers who 
have forged the path to even make this initiative possible, and we 
have a right to have a say in how it goes when it's legal. That's why 
I'm starting the "Northern California Cannabis Farmers Alliance," a 
company (eventually incorporated) that will comprise collective 
action of group and individual farms all across Northern California. 
We will grow recreational, medical and hemp-resourceful cannabis for 
licensed dealers (brokers). With this new initiative, we will have to 
legitimize business and compete with corporate commercialization. The 
NCCFA will protect small family farms and current cannabis growers 
from corporate suffocation and market overflow. It will create jobs, 
protect farmers' rights and stimulate cannabis research in a growing market.

The NCCFA will be set up like a huge network. Each farm will operate 
as its own legal business franchise/corporate shareholder with 
tax/stock options and full benefits for employees. Farms will be 
organized by a county branch who will be able to meet specific local 
needs, supply desired amendments, etc., locally and broker local 
distributors, etc. Eventually I want county branches to have a 
service similar to "temp agencies" that can provide local farms with 
willing, competent and desirable "seasonal workers" (trimmers, etc.) 
besides their own permanent workers, farmers and employees. County 
branches will also inspect farms (don't be scared! Everything will be 
legal and YOU will be protected) to make sure everything is up to 
code and environmentally friendly. Most importantly, 3 to 8 percent 
of all profits (varying by farm) will be donated to fund 
recreational, medical and resourceful marijuana/hemp research, and 
get real facts out there about its gifts/use! s.

I know you might be questioning me. You might say "I'm still going to 
hope it doesn't pass!" Or maybe, "What a sell-out, we'll still be 
screwed." I ask you pessimists and nay-sayers to think of 
legalization not as the end to our way of life, but as a way to 
legitimize it, and a way to finally be respected as providers of a 
necessary service. All we need to do this is be organized, figure out 
our legal business schemes and unite under one corporate entity to 
protect our individual rights, skills, and (I hate to say it) 
profits. I, too, will have a hard time adjusting to this new business 
plan. I am so adapted to our underground ways, I originally feared 
becoming legit. I probably won't ever be able to say "Kush Co, how 
much marijuana would you like to buy today?" on the phone. But this 
is a chance for us to play ball with the big leagues, and to be able 
to compete, we must unite. Right now this idea is just a baby (though 
forms are ready to go for when Prop.! 19 passes), and to get it up 
and running, I am going to need major help from everyone who wants to 
protect current growers (lawyers, insurance people, brokers, 
financial advisors, etc.). I am working on appointing a board of 
directors, which should represent all involved counties. I encourage 
anyone interested to contact me at  and check 
us out on facebook  Nor-Cal Cannabis Farmers Alliance.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake