Mason County is quietly providing fertile ground for legalized pot grows.
Five recreational marijuana producers were given the Liquor Control Board’s blessing this year. The growers are scattered across rural areas of the county (expand map for a better view).
Three of those businesses are also licensed as processors, meaning they can turn harvested buds into products like oils and edibles.
Pot entrepreneurs submitted 20 retail applications in Mason. Six were proposed for Belfair and one for Allyn.
No retail outlets have been approved to date. The state will allow up to five stores in the county, including one in Shelton.
The liquor board had approved three marijuana grows and two retail shops (both for Port Orchard) in Kitsap County at last count.
Mason County commissioners earlier waffled on a marijuana moratorium, drawing ire from I-502 business applicants.
