Port of Grays Harbor commissioners approved an amendment to the Port’s lease policy, clearing the way for marijuana cultivation and processing at the Satsop Business Park.

The commission held a special meeting Tuesday and invited Rebecca Chaffee from the Port of Willapa to offer insight on marijuana operations at port facilities in Pacific County.

“It’s provided 100 new jobs, new business and new people moving into the area,” Chaffee said. “As far as risks go … we have had no break-ins, no security issues, and have not seen any increases in use or abuse of the product in those communities.”

Chaffee said one of the producer/processor facilities in North Pacific County, BMF, has employed 80 people and that once the initial phase of the start-up businesses have been established, entry level jobs pay well and those who cultivate the marijuana make a solid six-figure income.

“The hourly rate of pay would depend on the stage of the business … but entry level positions would pay about $15 per hour. Employees get paid vacation and medical benefits too,” she said. “Growers make about $200,000 per year.”

Legal counsel for the Port, Art Blauvelt told the the panel of commissioners he was initially skeptical leasing Port property to the marijuana industry, but had reconsidered the notion citing the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board concentrated efforts to regulate the industry.

“The Satsop Business Park has a lot of empty buildings and interest was generated from the cannabis community to fill some of the empty space,” Blauvelt said. “It appears the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board is doing a good job regulating the business, so I think it’s in the best interest for the Port to make the amendment to its lease policy for the cultivation and processing of cannabis.”

And with that reasoning in mind, Commissioner Chuck Caldwell made the motion to approve Resolution 2909 to allow for the cultivation and processing of cannabis at the Satsop Business Park. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stan Pinnick and approved by the board.

The resolution does not, however, grant the ability to sell the product on a retail level at the business park.

“The business park is not zoned for the retail market,” Alissa Shay, Manager of Business Development for Satsop Business Park, said. “It (the amendment) is for process and production only.”