The Observer

Yakima will lift ban on marijuana retailers

Brian Cook, Staff Reporter
June 3, 2016

After a 4-3 vote on May 17, the Yakima City Council will be lifting the ban on marijuana retailers within city limits. Kathy Coffey surprised the city council with the motion to draft an act which...

Smoking on a budget

Brian Cook, Staff Reporter
May 26, 2016

We understand the college student’s desire to smoke marijuana and the resulting struggles students face. The Observer has gone around to the local retail shops to find which shops to go to with that...

DEA considering decriminalizing marijuana

Brian Cook, Staff Reporter
May 19, 2016

The Drug Enforcement Administration is expected to reschedule cannabis under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Controlled Substance Act in the coming months. However, rescheduling marijuana...

Third recreational marijuana shop, The Fire House, to open in Ellensburg

Brian Cook, Staff Reporter
May 12, 2016

A third recreational marijuana shop is set to open in the 1700 block of South Canyon Road in Ellensburg, behind the Comfort Inn and near I-90, as early as July of this year. The shop will also sell medicinal...

Kittitas County considering ban on vaping

Brian Cook, Staff Reporter
May 4, 2016

Since December of last year, the Kittitas County Public Health Department has been working on a law that will ban electronic cigarettes in any public place, excluding dedicated vape shops. This ordinance...

Seed to stash: The journey of growing pot

Brian Cook, Staff Reporter
April 28, 2016

Getting tired of your weed guy giving you sacks filled with seeds? We feel your pain. So we’ve done the research to see how hard or easy it is to start your own stash. If Washington State House Bill...

Old McDonald had a farm; cited for code violation

Brian Cook, Staff Reporter
April 17, 2016

More commonly known by their brand name Binx Buds, Old McDonald’s Farm located southeast of Ellensburg has lost its conditional-use permit after violating a county code involving water provided for employees. In...

Vermont pushes for ganja legalization

Brian Cook, Staff Reporter
March 10, 2016

Vermont is on its way to being the next state to legalize recreational marijuana after Vermont’s senate voted to move forward with a bill on the subject. Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin announced in...

April showers bring dope flowers

Brian Cook, Staff Reporter
March 3, 2016

While signs of spring blossom across the state, many licensed marijuana farmers are preparing their crops for this year’s outdoor production. According to Marijuana Growers Headquarters, a website...

PR companies strive to mainstream marijuana. Is it even possible?

Brian Cook, Staff Reporter
February 25, 2016

Public relations firms across the country have begun working to change the public image of marijuana. Beverly Hills’ William Morris Endeavor Agency has been working with Cheryl Shuman, founder and...

Coming to a front door near you: Weed delivery service

Brian Cook, Staff Reporter
February 18, 2016

State legislation has begun looking at a bill which would allow up to five marijuana retailers to deliver their products to local customers. House Bill 2368 (HB 2368) is a new bill that would form a...

State home growers may start to bud

Brian Cook, Staff Reporter
February 11, 2016

Washington may be looking into a new bill which would allow anyone 21 and older to cultivate their own marijuana. “Everyone should be able to grow their own plant, for goodness sakes,” said Amber...

Toxic pesticide found in Guardian Mite Spray

Brian Cook, Staff Reporter
February 4, 2016

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board issued a notice informing members of the state’s marijuana industry of the new ban on the Guardian Mite Spray. The Washington State Department of Agriculture...

Out of state investors may invest in Washington weed

Brian Cook, Staff Reporter
January 28, 2016

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Control Board intends to lift the ban on out-of-state investors financing recreational marijuana producers, processors and retailers as early as March of this year. Lifting...

Boost of growers means too much weed for Wash. to handle

Brian Cook, Staff Reporter
January 26, 2016

With a boost of licensed growers in Washington, marijuana producers have harvested more crop than what has been demanded by the state’s market. This surplus has caused some producers to lower their price...