The What’s After Pot meeting held in the heart of southern Humboldt a week ago Tuesday garnered international interest with reporters from the BBC and French papers contacting the organizer, Anna Hamilton.  Now Mendo organizers are garnering support for their own meeting to be held this month.  Today’s Press Democrat has an in-depth article discussing Mendocino’s dependence on the financial savvy of pot growers and touting the meeting.

Mendocino County’s economic future may rest with a marijuana-fueled version of Wine Country, complete with tasting rooms, bud boutiques and pot-garden tourism.

“It’s the only thing we have that brings money into the county,” said Mendocino County Supervisor John Pinches, who believes that marijuana accounts for at least half of the county economy.

Estimates of the value of the county’s pot crop range from $1.2 billion to $4.4 billion. In comparison, the county’s total taxable retail sales were $1.3 billion in 2007, according to the Center for Economic Development at CSU Chico.

….The April 24 forum, “The Future of Cannabis in Northern California,” will be held at the Saturday Afternoon Club in Ukiah. It’s sponsored by marijuana advocates but will include law officials and business representatives.

“It affects our community, and it’s time to have the discussion,” said Bert Mosier, the chief executive officer of the Ukiah Chamber of Commerce and a scheduled speaker.

Ten years ago an article like that above would have been an April Fool’s joke.  Today, it is a wonderful reality.  Thank God, officials and business people are reaching out to growers and patients to defend their common interests.