Voters of Washington were one of the first states to legalize the production and sale of cannabis for recreational and medicinal purposes for persons 21 and older. In June of 2014, the first stores opened in the state. In just four and a half years the industry has mushroomed with sales totaling more than 3 billion dollars and generating more than 1.95 billion in state taxes. There are 515 retail stores in the state, and 1,425 producers (farmers)/processors, including 56 in Benton County. Green2Go, owned by Steve Lee located in Finley is the number 2 top selling retailer in the state. And there are 56 licensed producer/processors in Benton County.
The results of an anonymous survey of Badger Club members and community members will be announced.
Vanessa McCollum: A Public Health Educator with Benton-Franklin Health District. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology, and enjoys applying this science to her role in public health. Vanessa currently works in the Tobacco and Vapor Product Prevention and Control Program and Youth Marijuana Prevention and Education Program.
Taunya Harris: General Manager of Altitudes (Prosser Pot Store). Taunya has 5 years’ experience in the cannabis industry. She started as a budtender and is now the General Manager of the first store to open in Washington state, Altitude in Prosser. She is one of the first female GMs in the industry.