The Herald, 20 Jun 2013 – SEATTLE (AP) – For the activists who led the effort to legalize recreational marijuana in Washington state last fall, Jamen Shively was one of their biggest fears: an aspiring pot profiteer whose unabashed dreams of building a cannabis empire might attract unwanted attention from the federal government or a backlash that could slow the marijuana reform movement across the country. With visionary zeal, the 45-year-old former Microsoft manager described his plans to a conference room packed with reporters and supporters last month, saying he was tired of waiting for a green light from the Obama administration, which still hasn’t said how it will respond to the legalization of recreational pot in Washington and Colorado. Shively vowed to quickly raise $10 million and eventually build his company, Diego Pellicer, into an international pot powerhouse.

Austin American-Statesman, 19 Jun 2013 – Aggressive Business Plan Will Open Pot Shops That Make $120k Profit a Month. SEATTLE (AP) – For the activists who led the effort to legalize recreational marijuana in Washington state last fall, Jamen Shively was one of their biggest fears: an aspiring pot profiteer whose unabashed dreams of building a cannabis empire might attract unwanted attention from the federal government or a backlash that could slow the marijuana reform movement across the country.

Oneida Daily Dispatch, 18 Jun 2013 – SEATTLE (AP)- For the activists who led the effort to legalize recreational marijuana in Washington state last fall, Jamen Shively was one of their biggest fears: an aspiring pot profiteer whose unabashed dreams of building a cannabis empire might attract unwanted attention from the federal government or a backlash that could slow the marijuana reform movement across the country. With visionary zeal, the 45- year-old former Microsoft manager described his plans to a conference room packed with reporters and supporters last month, saying he was tired of waiting for a green light from the Obama administration, which still hasn’t said how it will respond to the legalization of recreational pot in Washington and Colorado. Shively vowed to quickly raise $ 10 million and eventually build his company, Diego Pellicer, into an international pot powerhouse.

The Herald, 27 Mar 2013 – TACOMA – John Connelly leaned forward on his barstool, set his lips against a clear glass pipe and inhaled a white cloud of marijuana vapor. A handful of people milled around him. Three young women stood behind the bar, ready to assist with the preparation of the bongs, as the strains of a blues band playing downstairs sounded faintly off the exposed brick walls.

Seattle Times, 19 Mar 2013 – Marijuana Law the Firm Will Advise the State on Growers, Stores, Production, Packaging and Testing for the New Legal Pot Industry. Washington has tentatively chosen a Massachusetts-based firm led by a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), to be its official marijuana consultant.

Seattle Times, 31 Jan 2013 – Washington Working Its Way Through Regulating ‘Weed’ TACOMA – Wanted: A green thumb with extensive knowledge of the black, or at least gray, market. As Washington state tries to figure out how to regulate its newly legal marijuana, officials are hiring an adviser on all things weed: how it’s best grown, dried, tested, labeled, packaged and cooked into brownies.

The Herald, 30 Jan 2013 – SEATTLE – So far, no one is suggesting checkpoints or fences to keep Washington state’s legal pot within its borders. But Gov. Jay Inslee insists there are ways to prevent the bulk smuggling of the state’s newest cash crop into the black market, including digitally tracking weed to ensure that it goes from where it is grown to the stores where it is sold.

The Columbian, 10 Jan 2013 – Son of Ted Kennedy Inspired by Own Struggles With Drugs SEATTLE — Kevin Sabet, a former White House drug policy adviser and an outspoken opponent of legalizing marijuana, watched with dismay last fall as voters in Washington and Colorado did just that.

The Herald, 17 Nov 2012 – SEATTLE – A group of lawmakers on Friday urged the Justice Department to respect recent votes in Colorado and Washington state allowing the recreational use of marijuana, and some introduced a bill to ensure that happens. Democratic U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette of Colorado said her bill would bar the federal government from blocking state marijuana laws. Several other lawmakers have signed on, including Republican Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado.

The Herald, 04 Oct 2012 – Michael Baumgartner Endorses I-502, While Sen. Maria Cantwell Opposes the Measure Over ‘Concerns Expressed by Law Enforcement.’ SEATTLE (AP) – The campaign to legalize and tax marijuana for adults in Washington state is rolling as next month’s vote approaches, with more than $1 million in new contributions reported since last week and a surprising endorsement Wednesday from Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Michael Baumgartner.