Bad for Growth

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]B[/dropcap]ack in June, we covered the story of the Snohomish growers banding together to sue the county. In addition to the lawsuit never coming to fruition, the county never backed down on blocking recreational cannabis grows in R5 zones. One of the cannabis cultivators involved in the potential lawsuit was kind enough to get CULTURE up-to-date on the lawsuit, and some of their struggles with bureaucracy in Snohomish County. Due to the ongoing nature of their battle with Snohomish County, our source wishes to remain anonymous.

The source weighed in on the lawsuit stating, “The lawsuit was on the tip of everybody’s tongues right after the ban happened in May, but several people in the R5 co-op talked with lawyers about it and came to the conclusion that it was not worth pursuing,” they said. “Basically, the lawyers said that it would cost $150,000 minimum to file a lawsuit and that we wouldn’t win.”

“This is due to the fact that the vesting issue has already gone to the highest court in WA State and there is already a precedent set. Simply put, if you do not apply for a building permit before a zoning law is legally changed (by a county council in this case), then you are not legally vested or ‘grandfathered in,’ and there is nothing you can do about it.”

“Due to the overreaction by the planning dept., and the County Council basically wasted a year and a half of my life and tens of thousands of dollars. None of which I will ever get back. But that is nothing compared to what some others lost.”

Even with all the legal hassles, and having to move, this particular grower’s business has persisted. Investors were found, and a new location is in the works. And it’s no surprise. According to the Washington State Liquor Control Board’s data, Washington state residents are buying over $2 million worth of cannabis a day. Bothell, which borders, and sometimes even meanders into Snohomish County, earned the ninth most in cannabis excise tax in Washington. So, despite the struggle, investors are still eager to get in on this burgeoning industry. Which is a huge relief after a hard run for some growers, but not for everyone.

“Due to the overreaction by the planning dept., the County Council basically wasted a year and a half of my life and tens of thousands of dollars. None of which I will ever get back. But that is nothing compared to what some others lost.”

Snohomish County seems to have a troubled relationship with cannabis. The city of Snohomish currently has a ban on all recreational cannabis stores. Locals are working hard to reverse the ban. The Snohomish City Council will revisit the issue in 2016. In 2014, six cities, including Snohomish, banned the sale of cannabis. That number stood out as high for the Western Washington counties. Considering Washington State is raking in millions in tax revenue, hindering cannabis production seems shortsighted.