Thriving marijuana businesses face sober financial realities

Michelle Dupler

Marijuana retail sales were a nearly $1.7 billion business in Washington in the 2016 fiscal year, but business owners who are still technically breaking federal drug laws are left to ponder, “What do we do with the money?”

For Steve Lee, owner of Finley-based Green2Go, the answer is to re-invest some of the profits from his recreational and medical pot shop back into the local community.

“Really, the only strategy is sit on it and wait for the laws to change, or use cannabis money to start businesses,” said Lee, whose latest venture — aside from his campaign for a seat on the Kennewick City Council — is an investment in the Gourmet Grub food truck.

Thriving marijuana businesses face sober financial realities