14 DAY TRIAL // James Shively, who has previously worked as corporate strategy manager at Microsoft, is planning to make the most of the recently-approved marijuana bill in Washington to launch a premium pot business in the state.
According to an interview with KiroTV.com, Shively has already worked out the plan for his future business, planning to sell his products at fairly high prices.
What’s more, he intends to name the company after his great-grandfather, Diego Pellicer, also known as one of the most important marijuana producers in the 19th century.
“He was supplying hemp rope made from the marijuana tree to the Spanish armada during the Spanish-American War,” Shively said. “So I've got marijuana in my blood, so to speak. By creating the category of premium marijuana, we want to position it similar to a fine cognac, a fine brandy, a fine cigar. Something to be savored and enjoyed in small quantities by responsible adults.”
Colorado and Washington have both approved recreational marijuana use in early November, with the bill to come into effect on December 6.
Several companies have already confirmed plans to invest more in this business, with Shively emphasizing that more US states are very likely to approve similar proposals in the near future.
“The buzz is in the air,” Shively told the source. “This is a new industry in the making, and it's going to be a giant industry and the state of Washington is going to lead the way. What Kentucky became for bourbon, the state of Washington is becoming for marijuana. It's going to be a huge boost to the economy.”
The Washington Initiative 502 allows adults 21 and older to possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use, with a deadline of December 1, 2013 for the Washington state to establish the other key rules that would keep this new industry under control.