SEATTLE - Washington's first legal pot grower was introduced by state officials Wednesday as an entrepreneur who followed the rules and out-hustled other applicants to the finish line.
Sean Green, 32, now runs medical-marijuana dispensaries in Spokane and Shoreline. He plans to open a 21,000-square-foot growing and processing facility in Spokane.
Officials at the state Liquor Control Board (LCB) said Green was one of the first to apply, and hurdled each step of the vetting process without hang-ups.
He "hustled as if he was competing at Sochi," said board member Ruthann Kurose.
She said an additional dozen growing licenses would soon be awarded. Farmers will get the first licenses so they can grow and harvest weed for state-licensed retail stores expected to open in summer.
Green's license was hailed as a milestone in Washington's march to create a system for regulating production and sale of pot, which remains illegal under federal law.
"It's one thing to talk about marijuana legalization. It's a much different thing to see it now roll out," said Alison Holcomb, chief author of the new law that allows adults to possess an ounce of weed.
Green's company is called Kouchlock Productions. "Couch-lock" is a term for being too stoned to get off the sofa. After receiving his license, Green exclaimed: "Jimmy Kimmel, yes, I will come on your show."