Our community’s reliance on the economically artificial profitability of marijuana to sustain itself is undermining its resilience. Whether in our lifetime – very likely – or during our children’s, there will come a day when this well will go dry (or produce unacceptable social costs as we have begun to witness). Now, given this eventuality, choosing not to invest this temporary abundance into lasting institutions that serve our community’s long-term well-being is unwise, and even a bit reckless.

I certainly don’t begrudge anyone for avoiding payment of federal taxes. God knows I try to keep that to a minimum. And we’re all aware of how the Ridge has been inconsistently serviced by the county budget. But taxes are not inherently evil. The main grievance of our founders wasn’t taxes per se, but taxes with no representation. Taxes were recognized as a legitimate source of revenue for preserving the commons and general welfare and developing basic infrastructure to facilitate commerce and spur innovation. However, in our particular community, since there is no immediate consequence for not paying taxes (or even making an equivalent contribution to community services), we have instead resorted to the ritual of trying to cajole the big growers into such donations at our twice-a-year circle gatherings. From what I can tell, this has been mostly ineffective.

This coming season, I humbly ask those who enjoy abundance far exceeding basic needs to consider contributing seed money to help launch the creation of a Community Endowment Fund with the primary mission of supporting long-term, sustainable institutions for the San Juan Ridge. I have begun to research what this may require legally and logistically so that any donors could feel assured that the money was handled with proper oversight.

Imagine the strength that such an endowment would provide to our community. This fund would serve four purposes. Firstly, it could act in a capacity similar to a bank, lending capital at reasonable, risk-adjusted interest rates to local community members who need start-up money to finance a worthwhile business endeavor and wouldn’t otherwise qualify for a loan (for example, anything from cottage industry to small-scale technologies). Secondly, it could invest capital in such entrepreneurial endeavors in order to actively incubate their success and realize returns on investment. Thirdly, some of the realized capital gains that the fund accrues from these loans or investments could be directed to other local non-profit institutions (such as the Cultural Center) or independent artists in the form of grants. And lastly, the endowment could intelligently leverage its capital to spur other community development that we currently need, such as ecologically sound, affordable, medium-density housing.

<span> If you have any real and serious interest in participating in the creation of a Community Endowment Fund that serves the long-term interests of our community, please contact Jeffrey Adams at Willow Springs: (530) 292-3463 or willowspringsNSJ@gmail.com</span>.  I have full faith that we can realize this vision.