Editor’s note: I happily endorse Yelm resident Michelle Horkings-Brigham’s stellar book eloquently highlighting how the lack of enforcing marijuana growers’ regulations has wrought havoc on rural land-owners and the environment. A masterpiece providing an example of how persistence, perseverance, and challenging public officials for not enforcing their own regulations gets results. This book is a terrific guide to assist every property owner, or NIMBY, fight back!

My review: “While I supported the legalization of marijuana and proud that Washington was the first state to vote this in as law, I was unaware of the dark underbelly of unpermitted, large marijuana growing operations that proliferated. As but one example, Ms. Horkings-Brigham’s book thoroughly describes how regulators continually turned their backs on one such growing operation in rural Thurston County, Washington, against their own regulations allowing this kind of operation in industrial areas only. This book is important wherever marijuana growing is legal and the research here can be used in other challenges with county officials nationwide. To be clear, Horkings-Brigham is not anti-marijuana, rather highlights the environmental toll from huge water, power and other requirements. She advocates for regulations to protect the environment and rural land-owners. This is a must-read!”

Click here to purchase (Kindle edition available).