Pubdate: Wed, 11 Feb 2015
Source: Ukiah Daily Journal, The (CA)
Copyright: 2015 The Ukiah Daily Journal
Contact: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/feedback
Website: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/581
Author: Adam Randall

PINOLEVILLE INVESTOR EXPECTS MARIJUANA FACILITY CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN 
IN 30 DAYS

One of the major players in the proposed Pinoleville Pomo Nation's 
medical marijuana growing facility said he expects construction of 
the project to begin in about 30 days on the tribe's property despite 
a recent meeting with Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman, who has 
said the operation would be illegal.

FoxBarry Cos. LLC President Barry Brautman acknowledged the concerns 
and misconceptions people may have with the new endeavor, ranging 
from legality to water usage.

However, Allman said last week that all involved parties agreed to 
hold-off on the project for the time-being as the tribe's 
representatives reportedly wanted to further research the sheriff's 
claims. But, Brautman said Monday he has been working on final 
pre-development procedures, which may take another 30 days, and 
estimates construction of the facility will immediately follow.

"Our operations are legal, and operate under local jurisdictions and 
rules," Brautman said. "We anticipate working with the sheriff and 
district attorney on a regular basis. There's a lot of misconceptions 
out there, but we are not planning on doing anything illegal."

The Mendocino County District Attorney's Office said last week it was 
awaiting an answer to a mailed request from Brautman, along with the 
tribe and United Cannabis for more information regarding the 
endeavor. DA David Eyster has reportedly refused any contact unless 
his request is met. Brautman said he still expects to meet with 
Eyster in the future.

The proposed 2.5-acre greenhouse would only supply marijuana to those 
who have valid medical marijuana cards in California, Brautman said. 
The product would be sold under the United Cannabis name, a publicly 
traded company out of Denver, which advocates for medical uses of 
marijuana. United Cannabis reported the agreement with FoxBarry, a 
Kansas-based company which funds tribal investment opportunities, 
from casinos to fuel, and Pinoleville on Jan. 6.

Because United Cannabis is located out-of-state, Brautman said he is 
aware of state and federal laws which prohibit the transportation of 
drugs between state lines.

"It's absolutely illegal to ship anything out of state," Brautman 
said, adding he knows it's also not legal to produce recreational 
marijuana for use no matter where the grow location is.

A spokesperson for United Cannabis Corp. said it has been providing 
consulting services to FoxBarry and Pinoleville while trying to get 
the business side up and running. United Cannabis may also establish 
an office location in the area in the future, the spokesperson said.

Brautman said even though he doesn't anticipate many security 
problems, the Pinoleville tribe is expected to staff an outside 
security firm which will oversee the facility 24 hours a day, seven 
days a week, he said.

Further, Brautman is also mindful of water concerns in 
drought-stricken California, assuring the greenhouse will only use a 
nominal amount of water, supplied using a reverse osmosis system that 
reuses water. Brautman also feels there are adequate resources on the 
Pinoleville property, and that a small well to support a drip 
operation would do. He said there won't be any runoff as a result of 
the system and facility.

"There's always concerns with a new project, but it's nothing out of 
the ordinary," Brautman said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom