Posted on 07/23/2014 10:56:28 PM PDT by steve86
While record-setting wildfires engulfed Central Washington, budding marijuana businesses in the area suffered from scorched plants unfit for production, pop-up fires on farms and road closures that slowed deliveries to retailers.
A 15,000-acre wildfire encroached on the Columbia River Cannabis farm in Douglas County earlier this month and burned its 5-week-old medical-marijuana plants that were eventually to be used to start growing in the recreational market.
Columbia River Cannabis in Douglas County was finally close to getting a marijuana-producer license after nine months.
That is, until a 15,000-acre wildfire encroached on its farm July 10 and burned its 5-week-old medical-marijuana plants that were eventually to be used to start growing in the recreational market. The farm planned to make its first shipments to retailers by September.
“We got singed real bad,” said Harold Jarboe, Columbia River Cannabis’ marketing director.
Throughout Central Washington this month, marijuana producers have struggled to keep their budding businesses afloat. Amid record-setting wildfires they worked to grow and water crops, or deliver products at a time when demand is high in a statewide marijuana shortage.
Jarboe wouldn’t disclose how many plants burned at Columbia River Cannabis but said it was a significant setback for his business, which seeks to have up to 21,000 square feet for marijuana production.
A week later employees there evacuated for two days as the much larger Carlton complex wildfire crept along the Columbia River. The ashy air posed a threat to the farm’s open-air crops.
“It’s part of farming,” Jarboe said. “If it’s not that, it’s hail. It’s a drought.”
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.com ...
PING!
Ah yes, the joys of farming.
Lots of failed drug tests in Douglas County this week.
I see a future for drones.
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