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​Read this article in the Seattle Times regarding the overproduction problem in Oregon. We are having the same problem here in Washington, which forces our producers to drop prices to below what is profitable. The Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board must take up this issue now, before more growers are pushed out of business! Read a snippet from the article below:

"The marijuana industry has been watching federal prosecutors in states with legalized weed like Oregon closely since Sessions rescinded the so-called Cole memo. U.S. attorneys in states where marijuana is legal under state law now face the delicate question of how to do their jobs and hew to the federal ban.
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Williams sought to calm fears among pot growers, but said the market has a problem that must be addressed. Everyone needs a “bottom-line answer” on how much excess marijuana is being produced and how much of it winds up on the black market, he said."

Members and Allies,

Yesterday, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) voted to remove the requirement of placing a harvest date, manufactured date, or best by date on cannabis packaging in the upcoming CR102. Although there was agreement among the participants of the Packaging and Labeling Advisory Group, the effort was torpedoed by the Washington CannaBusiness Association (WACA) after the workgroup's recommendations were made. WACA lobbied the Board privately to leave the harvest date as it was clearly a benefit to their membership. The ways in which WACA lobbied against harvest date removal brings into question the influence WACA seems to hold over the LCB staff and Board, although recent exchanges seem to indicate that the Board was not happy with WACA asking to speak personally with each member in order to keep issues out of the public domain. The WSIA’s persistent attention to this issue, even after many groups had given up on it, is the reason that we were ultimately successful. Harvest date has been detrimental to Sungrowers and indoor growers who cure their product for longer times, and has created many unintended consequences in the marketplace, such as a consumer preference for uncured, indoor grown, and perpetuating the fallacy that “fresh” cannabis is best.
This decision was a reasonable solution presented by a variety of organizations which will support a sustainable cannabis industry in Washington. We want to express our gratitude to all of those that supported these efforts as we work toward an industry that is inclusive of sungrown cannabis production.

WSIA President and Founder, Jeremy Moberg, was instrumental in getting the governor’s office to lean on the LCB to remove harvest date. He said this about the decision, “The removal of harvest date as a packaging labeling requirement will help lessen the consumer bias for fresh weed and will create a cannabis culture that places a high value on the curing process for producing a quality smoking experience.  Not requiring harvest date on the packaging will have the added value of reducing market stigmas against sustainably grown cannabis giving the consumer the ability to choose high quality, cured, sustainably grown cannabis while making for a more sustainable cannabis industry.”

We will continue to keep you updated as this decision’s public hearing period will open in March, and we will let you know how you can support future efforts!

Florida International University Legal Studies Research Paper Series regarding Cannabis.

There are many benefits of SunGrown Cannabis. A brief overview of many of the benefits can be read in Herb's newest article.

 herb.co/2015/12/17/sun-grown-cannabis/

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Chelan County Cannabis farmers continue to face more struggles as the Federal Government notifies county officials that use of federal regulated water supplies for cannabis production is unlawful. 

kpq.com/feds-just-say-no-to-using-columbia-basin-reclamation-water-for-pot-farms/

Hello Cannabis Industry Professionals-

The Washington Sungrowers Industry Association (WSIA) is undergoing an organizational transformation as we search for a new Executive Director. If you, or anyone you know is interested in supporting this role, please contact me directly at the information provided below. I have attached a job description for your consideration..

We will continue to work diligently to positively influence rule-making that will advance our industry forward while continuing to fight reefer-mad policies that impact farmers in their local jurisdiction. We hope you will support this effort by becoming a member today, or making a financial contribution to the cause. Please visit http://www.washingtonsungrowers.org/ for more information.

We appreciate your support as we transition through this growth spurt and look forward to your continued involvement in our collective future.

In Solidarity-

Jamie Curtismith
WSIA Interim Executive Director
curtismith@hotmail.com
206-491-3802

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Job Description  Below

Meeting agenda for this evening's Okanogan County Planning Commission Meeting 

Ganjapreneur covers Douglas County's recent proposal banning outdoor Cannabis production.

"Jedidiah Haney, Board Secretary of The Cannabis Alliance, said in a phone interview that such a move would only perpetuate some of the industry’s most alarming environmental impacts, specifically in regards to energy consumption. “If you put this in the agricultural spectrum, this is pretty crazy — it’s pretty extreme,” he said."

For the full article visit Ganjapreneur!
http://www.ganjapreneur.com/douglas-county-washington-proposes-banning-outdoor-cannabis-production/