Washington cannabis group protests over threat to jobs

Marijuana producers plan to protest what they feel are efforts to shut down cannabis farms in Chelan County.

A rally is planned for Monday, March 13th, organized by the I-502 business group Central Washington Grower’s Association.  The group’s Caitlein Ryan claims Chelan County is trying to eliminate up to a thousand livable wage jobs and the taxable income provided by the local marijuana industry.

The Chelan County Planning Commission is working on final recommendations to Chelan County Commissioners who will draft a new ordinance regulating the marijuana industry.  The Planning Board has reached consensus on eliminating outdoor growing operations in Chelan County and is still discussing restriction son indoor operators.  A moratorium on new marijuana production or changes to facilities that existed under the original county guidelines has been in place since late 2015.

The grower’s group is organizing a peaceful protest in Memorial Park on Monday, March 13th at 4pm