When we began involving ourselves in the cannabis movement as a business, we joined every organization we found and even helped form some. We wanted to know what was going on in the industry and influence its direction for the best possible benefit of consumers and small businesses.
The introduction to advocacy work began by attending Seattle Hempfest in 2010, which was eye-opening. We are ongoing VIP members and proud to know the people fueling that massive effort.
We were quickly introduced to the Cannabis Defense Coalition, a small but passionate group. We hosted many discussions leading up to the first bill to legalize cannabis in Washington with the goal of openly serving medical marijuana patients. The self-regulated, collective garden model was soon established.
The Cannabis Action Coalition was an organization headed by a polarizing character that pushed the “NO on I-502” campaign opposing the voter initiative that eventually succeeded in legalizing recreational cannabis. We did not agree with the three-tiered tax structure or the bill’s 5 nanogram-per-milliliter THC blood limit.
Then we discovered that a group of business people had formed the Cannabis Coalition for Standards and Ethics (CCSE) so I swung into one of their early meetings. We became members and I attended my first sit-in at the Obama headquarters. While not brave enough to join those blocking the door as the police rallied, I did catch the excitement of standing against “The Man.”
Next were memberships in Americans for Safe Access, Washington Marijuana Business Association, National Cannabis Industry Association, Women of Weed (co-founder), Marijuana Business Association, Cannabis Women’s Alliance (founding member), Washington Sungrowers Industry Association, Cannabis Farmer’s Council (executive board member), NORML Women’s Alliance and our local Arlington Cannabis Alliance. We’ve participated in them all in some way; giving time, money or both.
Yet all of these organizations missed the mark. We struggled to gain clout with Washington state regulators and lawmakers. The leadership of the CCSE, Washington Marijuana Business Association and others recognized the grassroots movement needed to consolidate. The result was the Cannabis Alliance, a vibrant and active organization that represents both licensees and ancillary cannabis businesses. We are active members to this day.
While the Cannabis Alliance was being formed, an invitation arrived to meet the lobby group known as WACA (Washington Cannabusiness Association). They had successfully lobbied to eliminate the three-tiered tax scheme and fold the collective garden model into the adult-use regulations. I now better understand how professional lobbying works: you must be in the conversation long before the public hearings!
Recently, we attended an event hosted by the Cannabis Organization of Retail Establishments (CORE). We expect to see their influence this legislative session; after all, retail is where the state collects those millions in tax revenue. But while our industry is maturing very quickly, the foundation of it, the growers, are struggling to make ends meet.
Hence our helping to establish the Washington State Cannabis Commission, an agricultural commodity commission that’s solely focused on supporting cannabis farmers. Funding cannabis agricultural-based research, accessible to all growers, will help streamline costs and improve bottom lines. Educating licensees, consumers and government entities about cannabis is a priority of the commission’s order. The Washington State Cannabis Commission (www.washingtonstatecannabiscommission.com) will be the professional voice to provide outreach on behalf of all cannabis growers, keeping producer’s needs to thrive always at the forefront. Once the growers have a stronger voice, the industry will better benefit.
There is ample cannabis advocacy work to be done as we turn these pages in history together. To those who show up, thank you!