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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 2015)
NORTH COAST THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 EO Media Group RAYMOND, Wash. — The newly legal recreational marijuana industry is off to a smokin’ fast start in Pacif- ic County, but a single retail store isn’t gaining much trac- tion so far, according to sales - ington State Liquor Control Board. In all, legal marijuana gen- erated $1.66 million in eco- nomic activity in the county between August and Decem- ber 2014, the liquor board said in a statistical report. Legal marijuana in the coun- ty has generated more than $415,000 in taxes, thus far. A liquor board spokesman told Oregon Public Broad- casting that total sales state- wide surpassed $63 million in 2014, supplying $15 million in taxes. Legal recreational marijuana sales began July 8. - ed to play an increasing role in producing and processing the drug, largely due to the availability of inexpensive in- dustrial property at the Port of Willapa Harbor in Raymond. So far, two production and two processing licenses have been granted in the Raymond area — one of each to BMF Washington Corp. and Green Labs Inc. Large-scale con- struction is actively under- way on other production and processing facilities on port property, but they have not yet been granted licenses. Raymond’s BMF Wash- ington is the largest produc- tion/processing operation with more than $1.5 mil- lion in sales. The state’s sec- - ley-based Farmer J’s, reported $1.25 million in sales. BMF Washington re- ported $820,373 in August sales, $89,135 in Septem- ber, $301,533 in October, $300,392 in November and $15,230 in December. Green Labs reported $1,275 in pro- duction excise taxes in Octo- ber, but then apparently ob- tained its processing license and reported $40,028 in Sep- tember, $49,726 in October and $28,768 in November. Because of BMF’s duel licenses, it pays just a single 25 excise tax on the product it produces. This also is true of Green Labs. Companies that only do production must pay 3A a 25 percent excise tax, with another 25 percent in tax im- posed on whoever does the processing. Yet another 25 percent tax is added at the retail level, plus applicable B&O and sales taxes. Marijuana produced in Pa- - where in the state. The county was initially allocated two retail licenses, both in the Raymond area. However, only one — Mr. Doobee’s — is up and run- ning. Liquor board statistics show only $13,322 in report- ed sales in November and just $533 in December. However, other numbers in the state re- port were also low for Decem- ber due to a lag between sales and data processing. State law mandates that more than 80 percent of mari- juana excise taxes help pay for healthcare, substance abuse, public health and related pro- grams. Marijuana taxes do not go into the General Fund. Brian Smith, a spokesman for the Liquor Control Board, said initially there was a lim- ited supply that quickly drove up the price of retail weed. “What we’re hearing today with marijuana and prices dropped so low that many of the producers and proces- sors are concerned about the price,” he told OPB. Smith said about 100 stores are operating in 27 of Washington’s 39 counties. The latest forecast shows Washington’s retail marijuana industry is projected to bring in nearly $700 million in reve- nue for the state by 2019. Mediators keep union dispute from escalating Capital Press Federal intervention in a la- bor contract dispute between longshoremen and container terminal operators will stop CANNON BEACH — The Cannon Beach Food Pantry plans to open in its new location, the former library portable at the Cannon Beach Elementary School property, Jan. 28. The pantry will operate at its usual hours of 3 to 5 p.m., said Molly Edison, food pantry manager. Moving day is Jan. 24, and volunteers are welcome to help the pantry move its food, shelving, tables, rolling carts, freezers, refrigerators and other items into their “new digs.” The volunteer movers — including the Cannon Beach po- won’t immediately end port dis- ruptions, experts say. The longshoremen’s union and their employers recently allowed federal mediators to participate in contract nego- tiations, which will probably prevent a strike or lockout, said Michael LeRoy, a law professor at the University of Illinois who specializes in la- bor relations. While the mediators can keep the parties from going over the brink, persuading them to hammer out a resolution usually involves a longer process. Le- Roy said. “It’s a bit like untying a knot that’s tied very tightly,” he said. “I would not expect a quick out- come.” The International Long- shore and Warehouse Union’s prior labor contract expired in July 2014, and in recent months terminal operators rep- - itime Association accused it of deliberately staging work slowdowns to gain leverage in negotiations. The ILWU was initially un- decided about PMA’s request for federal intervention but agreed to let mediators participate in early January after thinking over the option for two weeks. Federal mediators are able to settle more than 80 percent of collective bargaining disputes, according to government statis- tics. “It’s an encouraging sign,” said Peter Friedmann, execu- tive director of the Agriculture — will meet at the Cannon Beach Bible Church, 264 Hills Lane, at 9 a.m. that day, Edison said. “Anybody who wants to help us, we’re more than happy to accept them,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a good move for us, so, hopefully, we will be in business on the 28th,” she added. MATEUSZ PERKOWSKI — EO Media Group A view of a cargo container ship at the Port of Portland is seen in this file photo taken in April 2011. Experts say federal intervention in a labor contract dispute between long- shoremen and container terminal operators will stop the conflict from escalating but won’t immediately end port disruptions. No school in Astoria Monday Transportation Coalition. “It’s better than the two of them not talking to each other.” Even so, agricultural ex- porters continue to face a “dire” situation at ports along the West Coast as congestion impedes the shipping of perishable crops, meat and dairy products while overseas buyers secure alternate sources of farm goods, he said. “Foreign customers are look- ing elsewhere for dependable suppliers,” Friedmann said. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service’s engage- ment in the talks is a relief for shippers, as the public vitriol be- tween ILWU and PMA over the reasons for port congestion had grown worse in late 2014, said Eric Schinfeld, president of the Washington Council on Interna- tional Trade. “It was pretty clear they were not on the same page at all,” he said. “That was sort of the ‘dark- est before the dawn’ moment.” However, even under the ASD is Jan. 23. School will resume Jan. 27. most optimistic timeline, the parties probably will not reach a tentative agreement before the end of January, Schinfeld said. After that, it will still take many months to clear the back- log of cargo that has accumulat- ed at container yards, he said. Until they strike a deal, it’s unlikely that the longshoremen and terminal operators will re- sume the public sniping seen in late 2014, said LeRoy. Parties are discouraged from speaking to the media to avoid aggravating tensions and but are allowed to vent their frustration to mediators, he said. “These mediators are like giant shock absorbers,” LeRoy said. “They absorb a lot of nega- tive energy.” Mediators often speak sep- arately to negotiators from op- posing camps to focus on the fundamental issues and avoid confrontational tactics, he said. This process provides the mediators with insights about points of possible compromise and allows them to spot “horse trading” opportunities, LeRoy said. Mediators have an “encyclo- pedic knowledge” of the prob- lems facing the ILWU and PMA — like increased automation aimed at relieving high labor - als that allow the parties to save face and not appear to be back- ing down, he said. “It’s a way of resetting the conversation,” LeRoy said. “It’s a good way of injecting some new energy into the talks.” B R ID G E L ESSO N S -R - U S Learn as a Beginner o r Improve Your Skills! 9 LESSONS BEGINNING Astoria’s Premier Bed & Bath Store 1004 Commercial St., Astoria, OR 97103 503-325-4400 FIN E L IN E N S A N D SO M U C H M O R E ! w w w .in th ebou doirs.com G IFT R E G IST R IE S FEB. 3 RD 9:30-11:30 AM TUESDAY MORNINGS Bridge Teachers- Sandra Baker & Ann Gramson W A NTED Alder and Maple Saw Logs & Standing Timber N orth w es t H a rdw oods • Lon gview , W A Contact: Steve Axtell • 360-430-0885 or John Anderson • 360-269-2500 $5 PER LESSON: FIRST CLASS FREE! FORMER STUDENTS FREE! The Astoria School District schools will not be in session A Water Safety Expo, pre- sented by Astoria Parks and Recreation, Northwest Parent- ing, and the Clatsop County Saturday at Port of Play, 785 Al- ameda Ave. Parents can learn how to keep their children safe in and around the water, and receive lifesaving tips and strategies taught by pro- fessional instructor Pam Pearce, manager of the Astoria Aquatic Center, and two deputies from the Clatsop County Sheriff’s There will be an opportunity to earn discount swim lessons, a free family swim pass and a Saturday Jan 24 1-3 pm Port of Play 785 Alameda Ave., Astoria • Learn how to keep your kids safe in and around the water. • Receive life saving tips & strategies. Earn discount swim lessons, a free swim pass and enter a raffle to win prizes! Taught by professional instructor Pam Pearce, Astoria Aquatic Center and Deputies Dimmick and Moore from the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol. 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