Pubdate: Sat, 18 Jul 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: Carole Brodsky MORE 'GREEN' JOBS AT PINOLEVILLE CANNABIS PROJECT Editor's note: This is the sixth and final story in a series of articles covering the establishment of one of the first tribal cannabis farming projects in the United States. The Pinoleville Pomo Nation is providing readers of The Ukiah Daily Journal with a first-hand, exclusive look at the people, the processes and the philosophical underpinnings of this groundbreaking medical cannabis project. Mike Canales, business board chairman for the Pinoleville Pomo Nation, is getting excited. The Pinoleville Medical Cannabis Project, launched in May, is getting ready to transform its first batch of locally-grown, organic cannabis into Prana Bio-Nutrient Medicinals: cannabis-infused medicine that will be available to qualified medical cannabis patients and collectives. And the project, because of its somewhat controversial transparency, is revealing a part of the industry that outsiders don't see: the sheer numbers of employees necessary to produce a cannabis-based product - a project that has the potential to positively and permanently increase well-paying employment opportunities in the greater Ukiah area. "All the consultants we've hired are local people," says Canales. "In these early stages, the project will provide approximately 50 full-time jobs. There will be ebbs and flows, but we estimate at peak season we will have up to 150 employees, with 80 employees working in the greenhouse alone," he explains. Canales has given staff "marching orders" that there be a 50/50 diversification between men and women in the workplace. "Our goal is to employ a lot more women. When we've attended cannabis events, we've been shocked at the male-dominated atmosphere," he notes. Nori Balbridge, the tribe's economic development coordinator, has put together a program for women interested in working in the cannabis industry. "I've noticed that many women farmers have a different process, a different attitude toward gardening. Women are entering this burgeoning industry because they don't have to compete. There are so many job categories beyond just farming that are going to be part of this project - salespeople, adjunct product processing positions, advertising, bottling, labeling, dispensary workers and more," she notes. And experience may or may not be a requirement to land a job with the tribe. "We're reaching out to women and men who are farmers today, but also to those who would like to learn the business. Every employee will have to be 21 years of age, undergo a background check and have a valid medical cannabis recommendation," says Canales. The tribe's exhaustive ordinance has specific guidelines outlining safety, security and expectations for employees. The tribe is also looking toward helping future farmers. "Some people don't have thousands of dollars to get into this business. We're developing a strategy to bring in new people. Whether it will be in the form of microloans or garden starter kits, we're still ironing out the details," says Canales. All that money will have to go somewhere, and the tribe has made a stunning decision. "We're establishing an on-site credit union. Right now, we can pay our employees, but we can't easily access proceeds and utilize them." Canales visited dispensaries that skirt the law by intentionally misrepresenting the products they sell, or utilize ATM machines to encourage cash-only transactions. "We're going to employ a better way for the profits from this industry to be handled so they stay in our community. "Our credit union won't be FDIC insured, but hopefully, it will help the greater cannabis community access banking services - especially other dispensary owners who have been turned away by local banks. It's a costly venture to open up a bank, but it's a necessity." And did Canales think he would be opening a bank when this project started? "Heck, no!" he laughs. Currently, 24 full-time employees are providing on-site security. "We hired a qualified security company that has no relation to the tribe, United Cannabis or the FoxBarry Company to provide security at our facilities. All the personnel are licensed by the Pinoleville Medical Cannabis Project per our ordinance. We started by securing the perimeter of the site. People on the reservation already feel safer. They feel good because they know they're protected. Because of the excellent security presence thus far, the project has become a community unifier," says Canales. Cameras, drive-in/drive-out vehicle identification and product tracking are also part of the security program. "We've employed an industry-leading tracking and software company to make sure that every plant and every gram of product is accounted for," he continues. Canales wants to reiterate that funds from the cannabis project cannot be used to support government programs. "In an earlier article I mentioned that we're building a new Head Start. I need to clarify what I meant. The cannabis project has nothing to do with any government project on Pinoleville lands, including the building of our Head Start or any construction associated with our children's program. Our revenues slated for any government-driven project cannot and will not be intermingled with cannabis funds. "If, and only if we realize any revenues from our cannabis project, our hope is that those funds will help to support non-governmental projects that are part of our overall economic development program." "We're getting inquiries from third-generation farmers who want to come out of the woods and work with us," says Canales. "We want to work with our county farmers. I'm getting a lot of calls that start with, 'By the way, Mike, I've never mentioned this, but I grow marijuana.' Farmers are inviting us to their gardens. The reception from the cannabis community has been unbelievable." He anticipates more direct outreach to farmers in the near future. "We'd like to see farmers be able to increase their plant count. That's good news for every farmer in the county. I would think that county officials would want to engage in talks so we can discuss how we can all support each other - whether through our suggested targeted donations to nonprofits, or maybe a taxation scheme. A 15 percent tax is great if everyone joins in. If only one out of 30 come in, it's not so lucrative." The tribe is interested in holding a cannabis fair, or possibly a regional cannabis cup, as well as establishing a treatment center for the very ill patient who needs special care. "We're also interested in creating a veteran-friendly medication area that would be operated primarily by Vets," says Canales. "The testing facility is being constructed. We expect to be making medicine in the next 60 days. Packaging and processing the medicine will be on site. Then we'll start on the dispensary." The dispensary will have one area for patients and another for farmer and collective members. It will be run by the tribe, with United Cannabis providing consultation services. "Our uniforms are being designed as we speak. We're going for a professional ambiance." "We want to invest in the community - not just charities. We want to change someone's life to effect community change. This isn't about growing a bunch of plants, harvesting and going away. This is a long-term project for the community, and this is about the tribe and our community going forward - together. "Colorado donated millions to public education last year from cannabis revenues. As I mentioned earlier, our intention is to donate 15 percent of our net profits to local charities. Mendocino County will always be one of the best growing areas in the world. We have an opportunity to develop a very lucrative and beneficial cannabis niche market - using the best plants and most talented farmers in the world. Let's make this about our community. "When we visited United Cannabis in Colorado, we were told about a family who brought in their autistic child. After he started the Prana medicinal program, the child said, 'I love you' to his mother for the first time. Our vision is for that love to grow, and it will. For us, right now, what our tribe would really love is to have some street lights, some dental care and some paved roads," Canales smiles. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom