Suit aims to protect small biz in emerging pot industry
SEATTLE -- The state's first lawsuit to stop the new marijuana law will be filed on Friday.
Olympia paralegal Arthur West said he plans to file the suit to protect small businesses in the emerging pot industry.
The first recreational marijuana stores won't pop up in Washington for another, but West wants to put a stop to the law before big business takes over.
"It seems to be designed to monopolize the industry and allow a few licensed people to dominate and control it with large-scale production," said West.
Just like alcohol is sold in private stores now, the state Liquor Control Board will license independent businesses to sell marijuana starting next year. But West fears only large businesses will be able to afford the state's high taxes on pot. He thinks that will cut mom-and-pop shops out of the industry.
Entrepreneurs like Javen Shively are already cranking out plans for selling pot nationwide.
"We're going to be creating, ultimately, thousands of jobs with this business," Shively said. "It's going to be such a giant industry. We're going to eventually have stores all over the country."
KOMO News asked several big-box companies including cigarette maker Philip Morris, if they have any plans to get involved in Washington state's marijuana industry. All of the companies said they are crafting a response.
West says if the companies do decide to get involved, it could ruin everything.
"It's going to possibly even increase the price and lead to a situation where we have just as much black market activity," he said.
Olympia paralegal Arthur West said he plans to file the suit to protect small businesses in the emerging pot industry.
The first recreational marijuana stores won't pop up in Washington for another, but West wants to put a stop to the law before big business takes over.
"It seems to be designed to monopolize the industry and allow a few licensed people to dominate and control it with large-scale production," said West.
Just like alcohol is sold in private stores now, the state Liquor Control Board will license independent businesses to sell marijuana starting next year. But West fears only large businesses will be able to afford the state's high taxes on pot. He thinks that will cut mom-and-pop shops out of the industry.
Entrepreneurs like Javen Shively are already cranking out plans for selling pot nationwide.
"We're going to be creating, ultimately, thousands of jobs with this business," Shively said. "It's going to be such a giant industry. We're going to eventually have stores all over the country."
KOMO News asked several big-box companies including cigarette maker Philip Morris, if they have any plans to get involved in Washington state's marijuana industry. All of the companies said they are crafting a response.
West says if the companies do decide to get involved, it could ruin everything.
"It's going to possibly even increase the price and lead to a situation where we have just as much black market activity," he said.
$1,000 for a license thinking small business can handle that.
Maybe they will allow them to leave it out on the shevles like they do for alcohol so anyone can just walk up and take it since most retail stores don't allow the security to use any other than verbal "please come back into the store with me" attitude since they fear the lawsuit if you touch someone who is stealing from you.
Far from reducing drug trafficking, it will only enhance the black market and we have already seen a spike in crimes related to grow operations in peoples' homes. The whole thing is a disaster waiting for a chance to happen.
 @Common-Tater Just temporarily till things get worked. There of course will always be crime involved in anything that involves large amounts of cash. But businesses will work out proper procedures for security and limit the problem as much as possible.
Just capitalism working its magic. Should just limit the size of stores. Keep them smaller so that small businesses can thrive. Whats going to be really interesting is all the paraphernalia that goes along cannabis use. I think thats where you're really going to see a tremendous growth as the industry takes off. And I bet in store rolling machines are going to do a big business too. Hopefully it all helps with our budget problems in the state.
whatever whos gonna invest over 300,000 dollars in a company that might not be standing in a year let alone ever get off the ground... but hey if u got and want to gamble its a nice pay off clearing 1 mil profit from a 300000 investment after taxes if the grower can get  4.50 a gram its worth it but the liqour control board is averaging the gram from grower to be 3 dollars ..Â
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Good grief.... It appears the Black Market will win out..... taxing the poo out of marijuana is foolish.... providing big business monopolies insane...... It's apparent I will be absolutely forced to apply for a MMC through the doctor.... I hate the Federal Government and local government for this....
Wait a minute, wasn't the whole point of I-502 to legalize and tax the poo out of it?
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Marijuana taxes and regulations should be just as annoying and strict as BOTH alcohol and cigarettes. One DUI on the chronic, you're in the drug court system with 90 NA meetings in 90 days, interlocks on your car, etc. No smoking anywhere near a building entrance, anywhere a child can see you, anywhere near a drug-free zone, etc.
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Let's not forget that dolt earlier this year that passed out driving in downtown Seattle after smoking a 'non-narcotic herbal cigarette' and hit somebody in a crosswalk... and then got a slap on the wrist with a wet noodle for it.
There were 15 million dollars in federal tobacco subsidy payments in Virginia alone last year, the tobacco giants aren't going to risk their federal dollars on distributing a federally illegal drug. This whole article and thread are pointless.
"We're going to be creating, ultimately, thousands of jobs with this business," Shively said. "It's going to be such a giant industry. We're going to eventually have stores all over the country."
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it's like revisionist history, but it's revisionist law. Maybe if you say it long enough the federal law will just go away.
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Imagine the size of the bulk bins at Walmart.
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Or at Thriftway. "Honey, get me a couple of ounces of parsley will you" Oops. Lots of interesting after dinner discussions...
I'm not going to worry about the big tobacco companys. Once I'm licensed and FDA certified, my business then will be open. In the mean time, I'm getting ready.
 @FZR as in "Food and "Drug" administration", the branch of the feds that regulates food and "drugs"? The government in which marijuana is still classified as an illegal drug? Maybe you mean some local kind of bureau that doesn't exist yet, right?
Those with the funds to establish the business will likely get the business. Phillip Morris already has a similiar product line and could easily step in. If they set up shop in Tokeland the name alone would generate interest and Pacific County could likely use the revenue.Â
 @jennieb "If they set up shop in Tokeland the name alone would generate interest"
Which name? Phillip Morris, or TOKEland?
Sorry, couldn't resist that one...<LOL>
This Olympia paralegal Arthur West sounds like he just wants to waste the court's time with a BS lawsuit.
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I think if Phillip Morris got into the marijuana business it sure would create a mess. HAHA. The onus is now on Washington State.
The biz of buz will be most interesting to watch .... It will be very interesting on what the Feds will do. Â
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Obama will most likely instruct not to pursue, but he would be in violation of his oath to serve. Nothing new.
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Saber rattle or go full bore. Large growers will be in significant jeopardy until the federal law is turned over.
Speaking of frivolous lawsuits...
How stupid, just compete. There are big and small beer producers, same for wine. Competition won't allow for higher prices. If the state is reasonable giving the licenses this is a no issue. Go to court if and only if the LCB screws up. Keeping big companies away also hurts the industry and increases prices
This proposed suit to protect small businesses is a joke. Look around you, it's the E2 Visa small business people who are already selling the pipes, bongs and rolling papers in our community.