What an interesting turn of events. In October 2013, The Beachcomber waxed hopeful about marijuana grow businesses on Vashon. “We hope islanders don’t dissuade those…who might go into business.” Open minds would allow tasteful and respectful businesses to start up, create new jobs, and invest in local economy, they said.

Fast forward, and that editorial wish list is being fulfilled! A successful, already established company has arrived, prepared to partner with local growers, to take over the long-dead K2 facility.

Bakkhos Holding is doing pretty much everything that October editorial hoped for.

An indoor, nearly invisible facility with excellent security, creating dozens of local, construction jobs (economic influx #1), then long-term jobs (E.I. #2), offering to partner with community causes (E.I. #3), and exporting its product off-island. Worried about drugs on the island? Only islander-generated demand will bring those products back into our community.

As for resources, demand drives use. So, who is going to stop buying hothouse tomatoes? Practical Hydroponics & Greenhouses states, “Hydroponic and greenhouse production systems are water-efficient.” Worried about chemical use? In closed hydroponic systems, fertilizer wastage is reduced significantly. Will Bakkhos Holding use a closed system? I don’t know. Let’s ask. Meanwhile, with outdoor grow operations, there would be weed issues, different security issues, and our weather systems are not consistent. Hot one summer, wet and rainy the next.

Science evolves. Hydroponics evolve. Medicine evolves. Laws evolve. Technology evolves. Let’s evolve too and take time to re-evaluate our assumptions, prejudices and fears. NIMBY attitudes are below us. Our generally high level of education means we should see the risk of classism and purposefully step in the opposite direction.

Besides, there is value to be gained from tackling this issue deeply and meaningfully with both our youth and our older generations.

— March Twisdale