May 2015 First Tuesday Educational Forum
Hezekiah Allen, Executive Director of the Emerald Growers Association, a trade
association focused on promoting the medicinal, environmental, economic and social benefits
of lawfully cultivated marijuana, spoke at our May 5th lst Tuesday educational forum. “lt’s time
to get cannabis out of the closet and to start talking about it openly. There is obvious need not
just for a fair, regulated marketplace but for state guidance.”
Having studied Politics and Government at Pacific University he now works tirelessly to
help bridge the gap between rural communities and state government in California by
advancing the idea of sensible state regulation of lawful marijuana cultivation to help stem the
tide of environmental and violent crimes associated with its cultivation while protecting and
promoting the heritage and economic benefits of legal cannabis cultivation in rural areas in
the State of California. “Public lands are being ravaged by cartels poisoning animals, polluting
and wasting water while undermining the security of rural life. At the same time, we need to
heal our communities from the ‘war on drugs’ while promoting our own economic security.”
Mr. Allen described himself as a third generation cannabis cultivator from Humboldt
County who personally understands the profound need for thoughtful state regulatory
legislation. His focus is on the commercial aspects of cultivation as opposed to the medical or
recreational. He has no interest in making all marijuana use legal and leaves that to others but
opposes criminalization for its lawful use or cultivation which can only be prevented by proper
state regulation. “Lack of statewide regulatory structure has made local authorities fearful and
confused as to how to properly enforce the state statute allowing for legal use and cultivation
of medical marijuana. It is time for the state to step forward.”
Mr. Allen suggests a farmer friendly, three tiered business licensing system for small,
medium and large enterprises that is enforced by the California State Department of
Agriculture. Mr. Allen feels that a tiered system is critical because it acknowledges the need
for small, rural craft growers who want to function safely and lawfully and pay taxes like
everyone else. He argues that such businesses are vital to rural communities because they
create needed local jobs, taxes and promote community values, quality of life as well as
certainty of support so there is consistent, safe access to patients in need of the product.
-Michele Spencer, Communications Committee