Pubdate: Wed, 26 Nov 2014
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Copyright: 2014 The Seattle Times Company
Contact:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409
Author: Ross Courtney, Yakima Herald-Republic
Page: B6

PROSSER SCHOOLS NIX MARIJUANA FARMER'S $14,000 DONATION

PROSSER - School officials Monday flatly turned down a $14,000 
donation from a local marijuana farmer, taking a strong stand against 
youth marijuana use.

"We're not taking it; end of story," said Ray Tolcacher, Prosser 
School District superintendent.

The donor, Randy Williams, now is looking for another local recipient.

"I never thought it'd be a problem to give money away," said the 
owner of Fireweed Farms, a marijuana producer north of this city of 5,800.

Williams' next choice is the Prosser branch of the Boys & Girls Club. 
The youth nonprofit will "evaluate internally," said Brian Ace, 
executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties.

Next in line would be the VFW, Williams said.

Williams, one of the few licensed Yakima Valley growers, promised at 
a first-ever marijuana auction Nov. 15 at his farm to donate the 
proceeds of one low-grade lot to local schools. The stash sold for 
about $13,500; he kicked in the remainder to make it an even $14,000.

After reading media coverage of the auction, which mentioned the 
school donation, school officials discussed the proposed donation 
last week and decided not to accept it. They want to send a clear 
message to students, Tolcacher said.

"We've been pretty vocal about our concern over this," Tolcacher said.

All donations over $500 are subject to school-board approval.

Tolcacher has been one of Prosser's staunchest opponents of 
recreational marijuana, repeatedly speaking out against the city's 
decision to permit Altitude, a pot retail store in town. Most 
surrounding cities have banned pot.

Tolcacher said he recently told Randy Dorn, state superintendent of 
public instruction, that school officials throughout the state are 
catching more kids with marijuana since its legalization with passage 
in November 2012 of Initiative 502. He plans to also relay his 
anecdotal evidence to the state Liquor Control Board, the agency 
charged with regulating recreational marijuana.

Pot remains illegal for those younger than 21, just like alcohol.

Williams visited the school-district office to make the donation last week.

Tolcacher, who was out at the time, broke the news to the would-be 
donor over the phone Monday.

"That's a mistake on their end because they're not helping anything," 
Williams said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom