Vancouver’s Farmer Tom Lauerman, a medical marijuana grower, recently appeared on CNBC talking about the glut in Washington’s marijuana market and problems that growers are facing.

While the story seems to indicate he’s an I-502 grower (he’s not and he told them as much), the issues about a flooded market after a great fall harvest are true.

Here’s the NBC story: Washington Has More Pot Than It Can Smoke.

Lauerman has the same problems many small farmers face, in terms of being able to produce enough vegetables (which he also grows) and other items to keep the farm going.

As a medical grower, he doesn’t get a lot of profit on the marijuana he works with for patients. It’s more a labor of love. And he often gives it to patients at a loss just to help them.

But that also means he’s had to file for bankruptcy protection recently, and he and his wife live in constant anxiety about losing the farm.

That said, the publicity from the CNBC visit may be helping some. He said he’s heard from a few folks that might want to invest. He also hopes to find a way to move a line of his Farmer Tom brand of strains and products into the recreational market.

Here are a couple clips posted by CNBC from their time with him on Tuesday:

This pot grower facing bankruptcy: http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000353880

Washington has too much pot: http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000353814

People can reach Lauerman through his farm’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Farmer-Toms-Collective/632961513425214

Tom’s a great guy, who’s always been very open in talking to me and other media. Here’s hoping he can save the farm and keep it going.

Cheers,
-SueVo (sue.vorenberg@columbian.com)