GOING LEGIT, IF PROPOSITION 19 PASSES

If you are like me, you are one of thousands of commercial medical
marijuana growers in Northern California, and you, like me, are
concerned about what Prop. 19, the "tax and control" initiative will
do to our economy. You have thrived in a community that supports and
even depends on the (variably legal) medical marijuana commerce. If
you are like me, when you first heard about the initiative, your
first desire was to vote against it. You have exhausted hours
discoursing with friends, acquaintances, and probably even strangers
about how this will hinder our community and its economy. You, like
me, are scared of change and the end of our day in the sun.

One thing I've noticed, though, when talking about legalization with
friends, associates, etc., is that the general consensus seems to be,
"Well, I'm just going to wait, play it safe, and see how it all plays
out." But with November rolling ever closer, polls are continuously
gaining support for Prop. 19, and rumors are buzzing like honeybees.
I'm sure you've heard the ones about indoor warehouses in Oakland
that are supposed to produce 120 pounds per day once their cycles get
going. You've heard about Phillip-Morris weasels buying up land in
the mountains/farm regions of Northern California. The threat of
legal loopholes and corporate commercialization will swallow up our
small private farms (now considered full-scale, commercial grow-ops),
and our way of life will come to an end.

Well, I'm proposing we do something about it! We are pioneers who
have forged the path to even make this initiative possible, and we
have a right to have a say in how it goes when it's legal. That's why
I'm starting the "Northern California Cannabis Farmers Alliance," a
company (eventually incorporated) that will comprise collective
action of group and individual farms all across Northern California.
We will grow recreational, medical and hemp-resourceful cannabis for
licensed dealers (brokers). With this new initiative, we will have to
legitimize business and compete with corporate commercialization. The
NCCFA will protect small family farms and current cannabis growers
from corporate suffocation and market overflow. It will create jobs,
protect farmers' rights and stimulate cannabis research in a growing market.

The NCCFA will be set up like a huge network. Each farm will operate
as its own legal business franchise/corporate shareholder with
tax/stock options and full benefits for employees. Farms will be
organized by a county branch who will be able to meet specific local
needs, supply desired amendments, etc., locally and broker local
distributors, etc. Eventually I want county branches to have a
service similar to "temp agencies" that can provide local farms with
willing, competent and desirable "seasonal workers" (trimmers, etc.)
besides their own permanent workers, farmers and employees. County
branches will also inspect farms (don't be scared! Everything will be
legal and YOU will be protected) to make sure everything is up to
code and environmentally friendly. Most importantly, 3 to 8 percent
of all profits (varying by farm) will be donated to fund
recreational, medical and resourceful marijuana/hemp research, and
get real facts out there about its gifts/use! s.

I know you might be questioning me. You might say "I'm still going to
hope it doesn't pass!" Or maybe, "What a sell-out, we'll still be
screwed." I ask you pessimists and nay-sayers to think of
legalization not as the end to our way of life, but as a way to
legitimize it, and a way to finally be respected as providers of a
necessary service. All we need to do this is be organized, figure out
our legal business schemes and unite under one corporate entity to
protect our individual rights, skills, and (I hate to say it)
profits. I, too, will have a hard time adjusting to this new business
plan. I am so adapted to our underground ways, I originally feared
becoming legit. I probably won't ever be able to say "Kush Co, how
much marijuana would you like to buy today?" on the phone. But this
is a chance for us to play ball with the big leagues, and to be able
to compete, we must unite. Right now this idea is just a baby (though
forms are ready to go for when Prop.! 19 passes), and to get it up
and running, I am going to need major help from everyone who wants to
protect current growers (lawyers, insurance people, brokers,
financial advisors, etc.). I am working on appointing a board of
directors, which should represent all involved counties. I encourage
anyone interested to contact me at andersonNCCFA@gmail.com and check
us out on facebook @ Nor-Cal Cannabis Farmers Alliance.