Wenatchee Heights – About a dozen special guests toured one of Chelan Countys largest marijuana farms Wednesday to gain a better understanding of the business of growing legal weed.
San Juan Sun Grown, which produces marijuana under the Leafwerx brand, gave guests a view behind its regulation 8-foot fence at its approximately 30,000 square feet of marijuana plants, both greenhouse- and sun-grown, and sparkling-clean processing laboratory.
The whole point is education to let people understand that this is not a black-market operation, said Caitlein Ryan, spokeswoman for the newly formed Central Washington Growers Association, a group of 36 Chelan County pot producers that collectively employ from about 200 to 600 people.
All the associations members have sued Chelan County over a ban on pot farm expansion they say violates the state constitution and threatens to put them out of business. Both San Juan Sun Grown and Ryans company, Seven Hills Farms, are in a dispute with the county over whether the ban applies to their operations.
But Wednesdays tour wasnt about the litigation, but rather the neat rows of Quonset-hut-like greenhouses and open beds of bushy green outdoor marijuana plants nearing their first harvest.
Company owner David Rice, his production manager Mike Sabatello and processing manager Brent Toepper led visitors through the Tier 3 farm – the largest category allowed by state law.
Guests Wednesday included State Rep. Cary Condotta, R-Chelan, Douglas County Commission candidate Dan Sutton, Chelan County Commission candidate Kevin Overbay and officials from the ports of both Chelan and Douglas counties.
The farm employs from about 20 to 50 workers, both full and part time. They harvested their first indoor crop about a month ago, Rice said.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Guests Tour Big Pot Farm To See And Learn
Author: Christine Pratt
Contact: 509‑663‑5161
Photo Credit: Christine Pratt
Website: The Wenatchee World
