Cannabis Community Shaken When Large Consulting Firm Shuts Down Hastily Leaving Cultivators and Other Business Owners Stranded During the Permitting Process

The 24 local employees of Manhard Consulting who were working on February 13 inside the beautiful Carson Block building in Old Town Eureka didn’t know that they would all lose their jobs around 3 p.m. that day. According to Sarah Emlet, former employee, “It was a complete shock to us.

Representatives from corporate headquarters in Illinois came into the office and let all 24 go without warning. A press release from some of the former employees described being told they had “two hours to pack their belongings and exit the premises.” They were locked out of all computers, emails, and client databases for what had been, among other ventures, one of the biggest cannabis consulting firms in Humboldt County. “The office [staff] was not provided the opportunity to contact clients or inform them of the shutdown,” the press release said.

Clients across the community were disoriented, terrified, and angry when rumors poured throughout the community during the following week. Several described already being stressed trying to meet expenses and understand county and state regulations that changed as they tried to meet them. Now they were without the team that had been guiding them through the permit process and they didn’t know how to get information that they had paid large sums to have compiled.

“I was already having a hard time getting everything done. Now, I am freaked out,” said one client who asked not to be named told us last week.

praj manhard

Praj White’s photo from Manhard Consulting

“All of the people [the clients] were used to contacting are no longer available,” Praj White, Manhart Consulting’s former area manager explained.

The press release by the former employees noted that the “closure has the potential to affect numerous projects.”

Rumors flying through the cannabis community said that Corporate was unhappy with the amount of money brought in from the grower clients. White said, “We could never perform and produce enough for the expectations.” Recently, efforts were underway by Praj White to purchase the Eureka branch of Manhard Consulting. “I had been in negotiations about a goodwill acquisition of the entire operation,” White explained.

White said the idea had been to provide a “basically seamless transition to the clients.” But, Manhard’s action on February 13, he said, “turned this into a situation that there is all sorts of collateral damage happening.”

White and several other former Manhard employees are forming a new business, NorthPoint Consulting Group. “Our aim is to provide services beginning early March,” said a letter sent by the Group to former clients. 

“What we are trying to do is quickly formulate our lawful insured business,” White explained.

He urged former clients of Manhard to contact the Corporate representatives who are still in the Carson Block and “come up with a plan to get their information as soon as they can.” He added that his former employer seemed “to be accommodating giving out all the files and the information.”

“We’re all heartbroken as I am sure the clients are,” White said. “It is emotionally difficult to be separated from all the strong people and good people we were working with…We love the community and didn’t see this coming.”

White explained that NorthPoint Consulting will not be operating out of the Carson Block.

“We are working to get back on our feet,” White said.

Attempts to reach Corporate headquarters for comment have been unsuccessful so far. 

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134 Comments
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Mogtx
Guest
6 years ago

Getting a taste of what mom and pops grows go threw .

irony
Guest
irony
6 years ago

Guess corporate headquarters wasn’t “all in”. HA HA HA HA!

They only want your $$
Guest
They only want your $$
6 years ago

This is yet another harbinger of what lies around the bend. Like a house of cards, one stiff breeze (or corporate cheese) and the thing implodes. My family is not regretting sitting this dance out .

zookeeper
Guest
zookeeper
6 years ago

This is quite a simple “mystery” to unravel. Likely the firm’s fathers had their attorneys advise them that taking money for a federally illegal substance was not going to fly (around tax time?). Anticipating legal action from growers the firm has already taken money from for the illicit trade, (they should have known was not proper to become involved with), the firm’s fathers moved in quickly and seized the evidence. I hope they have a vat of acid or orange juice to drop those hard drives into before the feds or plaintiff’s attorneys can print the subpoenas.

Just sayin’. This is the beginning of a trend. As I’ve said before, states can’t make pot legal. Only Congress can. And that wasn’t done. Subversion of due process is subversion of due process A wrong act multiplied does not make it suddenly a right act. Look for more fallout like this. The States that “legalized” weed need to brace themselves for essentially acting as cartels in a Union of 50 states who all were not consulted beforehand; as required by law.

farce
Guest
farce
6 years ago
Reply to  zookeeper

…and the county Board of Supervisors should be indicted in a federal RICO Act investigation. They took money, issued temporary permits to companies to grow thousands of pounds of marijuana all while knowing that it had to be mostly sold into interstate traffic. I sure hope the feds do this and seize millions of dollars worth of cash and property in the process. I will get a hearty laugh!

Veteran's Friend
Guest
Veteran's Friend
6 years ago
Reply to  farce

EXACTLY

zookeeper
Guest
zookeeper
6 years ago
Reply to  farce

Well, they can thank Berkeley for flipping the middle finger to the feds and daring them essentially to crack down in California: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-berkeley-marijuana-20180214-story.html

Bob Fuca
Guest
Bob Fuca
6 years ago
Reply to  farce

That’s what government does they knew the market would eat itself up and die off. I’ve seen it and been the victim of it in another business that required a permit.

Where there are three or more is where you will find Rico!
Guest
Where there are three or more is where you will find Rico!
6 years ago
Reply to  farce

I want to see our supervisors do the perp walk, especially Estelle Fennel and Rex Bohne.

Ryan
Guest
Ryan
6 years ago
Reply to  zookeeper

Consulting firms had nothing to do with marijuana. All they did was help growers file county forms. Nice conspiracy theory though.

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
6 years ago
Reply to  Ryan

Not a “conspiracy”, just business people trying to protect their ass.

Wanting to do the rite thing.
Guest
Wanting to do the rite thing.
6 years ago
Reply to  Ryan

This company took thousands of dollars from people with the promise of helping them go legal. This is a major sign that should not be over looked company’s don’t shut down in the middle of the day without notice unless legal action is coming.

BigCountry
Guest
BigCountry
6 years ago
Reply to  zookeeper

That’s true zookeeper. It’s only a matter of time until the states that legalized weed get nailed for acting like drug cartels. The taxman don’t play around. This is the beginning of the end for the era of grow-dozers, [edit], and hippie green money. Its all going back to playing hide and go seek with DEA snipers in the mountains.

Cheri
Guest
Cheri
6 years ago
Reply to  zookeeper

100% accurate, Zookeeper

Sam
Guest
Sam
6 years ago
Reply to  zookeeper

On point, but…orange juice?

triniboldticino
Guest
triniboldticino
6 years ago
Reply to  zookeeper

There’s an attorney down in San D going through hell right now on conspiracy charges due to an “inspection.” This is how Sessions will approach things. Conspiracy, as the “darling of the modern prosecutor,” (Judge Learned Hand, early 20th century), is only charged in a very few jurisdictions around the world. In most jurisdictions, either you did the crime or you did not. In the U.S., you can get caught in a net and not even know it – just have a couple strings tying you to the major perpetrator(s). Conspiracy and the failure to file form 8300 with the IRS, as well as structuring transactions to avoid reporting. I’m surprised there hasn’t been a huge wave of these charges yet, frankly. Doesn’t need to be any weed involved.

Bottomline
Guest
Bottomline
6 years ago

How are growers supposed to have $ for extra expenses in a business that is in decline?

John well being
Guest
John well being
6 years ago
Reply to  Bottomline

Less Costa Rica vacations and less big buys. A simple plan.

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago

Why do so many flock to Costa Rico?

Realist.
Guest
Realist.
6 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Because it’s gorgeous and laid back and friendly to American visitors?

Bottomline
Guest
Bottomline
6 years ago
Reply to  Realist.

Because in San Jose. Costa Rica prostitution is illegal [edit]

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
6 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Because it’s a reasonably free and well-run democracy with an environmental consciousness and beautiful tropical settings with mountains, jungles, beaches, swimming, diving and tropical deep-sea boating and fishing in either Atlantic or Pacific?

zookeeper
Guest
zookeeper
6 years ago

Yes, living simply so that others can simply live?

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago

Notice the remarks about the amount of money being involved? Somehow, despite all the complaining, there is a sufficient bank roll still floating around.

Po ick ur battles
Guest
Po ick ur battles
6 years ago

Thanks all you outlaw growers who voted for things like this. This is why small farmers (25 plants or less) are squeezed from even wanting to participate because there are now all these middlemen employees and whatnot that need to get paid. Go the fuck home

farce
Guest
farce
6 years ago

Yes. I’ve been staying at less than 50 plants all this time…pulled back to half that for the historic drought (yeah I actually gave a s**t about our fish and wildlife). My place is so far out that it never had a chance at permitting- especially considering I’d then be in direct competition with monster permit grows right along highway 101. The scam “legalization” was written by the ultra-wealthy Napster dude for his ultra-wealthy associates to take this billion dollar business away from us completely. The locals who jumped on were mostly greed growers who ramped up production despite the historic drought in anticipation of becoming big-time players. Traitors to the cause. Greedrushers. Sell-out potstitutes. Not heroes or weed warriors. A bunch of little Trumps. Not my kind of people not at all. So watching them get freaked out is…entertaining. Zero sympathy from me. Looking forward to them failing and leaving.

Anon Forrest
Guest
Anon Forrest
6 years ago
Reply to  farce

Farce, I have no idea where you live but it doesn’t matter because we’re neighbors. Thanks.

Benbow local
Guest
Benbow local
6 years ago
Reply to  farce

If two thirds of the fucking grows dry up and fail maybe we can have our community back. Bye, bye green rushers.

farce
Guest
farce
6 years ago

I have a couple good friends who hired Manhard for their consulting work. Manhard took their money, treated them like children who needed to come completely forward and admit their misdeeds- y’know “Step into the light” that motto. Then Manhard left them groping at what to do next as it became apparent that their plans to get permitted by the state could never be achieved. Remember- the consultants can say whatever they want and they will always get paid up front. They get paid with your money whether their information is accurate, helpful or not! That applies to all the wonderful consultants who crawled out from under rocks into this phase of the game, sending out letters of fear that “you’d better comply!” and “we can help you”. Quite a scam!

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  farce

Is it really such a mysterious process that normal humans are incapable of filing paperwork? Or are they are just looking for an easy way out of doing what is required?

s. moses
Guest
s. moses
6 years ago
Reply to  Guest

If you are truly a “Mom and Pop” (small time) it is not all that hard to go through the process. I am fully compliant, have a business licence to grow flowers (cannabis) and am in the process of opening a Federally Insured Bank account. Did it myself without a bunch of greedy consultants.and with the track and stamp program my product doesn’t enter the black market. No house in Costa Rica though and still maintain my day job.

Po ick ur battles
Guest
Po ick ur battles
6 years ago
Reply to  s. moses

Good for you

jojo
Guest
jojo
6 years ago
Reply to  s. moses

Its true small farmers can complete there own paperwork, you do not need these expensive consultants, they just take a huge lump sum of money and act like they worked it off putting in hours that no one was accountable for.

Kirk Richards
Guest
Kirk Richards
6 years ago
Reply to  jojo

guddammmit the proper spelling is “their”!!! Much bigger issue hear.

Kristin Kris
Guest
Kristin Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  Kirk Richards

Much bigger issue
HEAR?
Hysterical comment

Say it ain't so
Guest
Say it ain't so
6 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Not just paperwork. Government paper work with it’s own inscrutable language about slopes,streams,logging roads,diversions,culverts,plot maps,plot maps,plot mats,PERMITS,1,000 sq ft of asphalt,wells,creeks,springs,buildings,generators,lights,ADA bathrooms,parking lot,water discharge,storage buildings,water board,osha,excise taxes,state fees,state & federal taxes and a whole lot more and a whole lot i and everyone else does not even know about.

Tavistock
Guest
Tavistock
6 years ago

Doesn’t everyone understand how the corporate business model work? Do we have any IVY LEAGUE MBA’$ to explain what is being taught at the highest levels of industry? The model is quite clear and has been in place for sometime. The more laws, codes, and regulations , the more it costs to do business, therefore eliminating the competition is as old as time. Placing unreasonable and expensive hurdles in place, just to actually do business is similar to warfare. It’s a brutal place to stay alive, unless you are serving the interests of the corporate fascists, or government, depending on the clearance level you have and which think tank you have access to.

Just understand how this is a parallel construction of every other industry that has been shipped to the highest bidder, and eventually, mechanized, and then shipped overseas to a slave workforce.

Peace

Stop your sobbin
Guest
Stop your sobbin
6 years ago

Yeah. Duh…..just like all the other farms/cattle ranches in Humboldt County have to deal with.
You “Farmers” are a bunch of pantywaists, yes it’s tough to figure out, but if you can’t handle it you shouldn’t be in the business .

Anotherrancher
Guest
Anotherrancher
6 years ago

Hey Stopyoursobbin,
I’m a rancher with family that grows. The regulations they have to deal with are way beyond the regulations I have to, with the ranch (small-scale beeves, goats, heritage hogs and eggs.) It’s patently ridiculous and appears to be punishment for some past transgression more than warranted necessity.

Also, a lot of the water rules concerning distance of fencing from seasonal creekbeds are coming down the pike for ranchers too. Unless you want to re-fence any of your land that comes within 50 or sometimes 100′ of a seasonal creek and then pay to have someone out to inspect the fencing job you did, you might want to speak up about that now. It’s coming.

lh
Guest
lh
6 years ago
Reply to  Anotherrancher

Yes, when they can no longer get it from pot farmers they’ll try to get it from ranchers. You’re absolutely right.

Say it ain't so
Guest
Say it ain't so
6 years ago

Timber harvest plan. LSA. RA. Grading. Permits with big fees. Meters soon. Track and trace. The State.

Hooper
Guest
Hooper
6 years ago
Reply to  farce

Well, your good friends have hopefully learned, even if they learned the hard way. As a person who has used consultants in a micro business in Humboldt County for decades, I can share with you the golden rule for dealing with consultants. Never use out of State Consultants, always go local. You may have to go to Redding or Santa Rosa, but never beyond. This goes for lawyers, tax advice, credit unions, local banks, medical services, etc. Not that we have a better percentage of capable “professionals”, but rather you can interact and do business with someone who knows the terrain and can talk with you in person and who will not rip you off and then go back out of state. For me it is a no brainer to avoid an Illinois consultant on something like local farming business.Better to support a local person and have a person to person relationship.

Hobo-joe
Guest
Hobo-joe
6 years ago

More flakiness in and already flaky industry. I just wonder what’s going to happen when the IRS sorts everything out and wonders why people they have never heard from in 25 years show up on the books with lots of property and assets

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  Hobo-joe

I’ve always wondered why IRS never got involved after convictions for growing for decades. Illegality is not an exemption from paying taxes.

:):
Guest
:):
6 years ago
Reply to  Guest

I heard numerous stories over the last 20 years of IRS agents being out on busts, & mainly that they would be part of the plea deals in that they’d give you a number and if you paid that there would be no fines/jail from IRS side of things.

I know folks who weren’t busted and hadn’t paid federal taxes in a number of years but wanted to do something like adopt a child and wanted to be above board tax wise. They contacted IRS, IRS said here pay this amount and youre good. And they did& they were.
Thats how it works. It would cost them more to prosecute.

jojo
Guest
jojo
6 years ago

People really should of been doing there own consulting.
If you do not already understand all the rules and regulations on your own you shouldn’t be trying to run a legal business.

joe
Guest
joe
6 years ago
Reply to  jojo

[edit]

Brian
Guest
Brian
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Kym my polish joke on the arrest the other day was no sneer, twas old humor.

And I don’t think the guy was “misfortunate”.

I didn’t want to bother you as to why you chose to delete it, but now that you re-post these rules I am wondering…

Blonde (I am) jokes aren’t always accurate, but they are an accepted category of humor, and I can laugh at them. I thought polish jokes were acceptable to all too.

Brian
Guest
Brian
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

It’s all good, your the boss here, I’ll try to play by the rules!

Kirk Richards
Guest
Kirk Richards
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Two Polish gentlemen walk into a bar. The third one ducked.

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Mocking a minority who don’t have power? Really? That is actually a real value? So no “a jew, a minister and a priest” jokes? Since women are not a minority they are fair game? And men, being a minority, are not? Ah but men have power and women don’t? Does being a public figure trump being a minority?

At least that explains why it is fine to make racially derogatory remarks here about Caucasians but not others. I idly wondered how that slipped by but never conceived of that being an actual principle. I always thought the principle involved was that no one should be singled out for inherent physical traits as they can’t change to avoid being the target. And adhering to that looks to eliminate bigotry itself. Allowing exceptions for status just perpetuates the idea that bigotry is an acceptable concept just needing to be refined and an application of personal perceptions.

This must the result of an academic philosophy debate that I missed. And it clarifies why progress is futile.

joe
Guest
joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

You deleted that? What a joke! I never criticized her either was merely trying to help and stated that in my post. I was only trying to help someone learn, but apparently you find it more important to protect ignorance. Will never waste my time on this site again.

Jenny Strom
Guest
Jenny Strom
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Proper grammar is the crux of cogent and rational communication. That said, I can easily dismiss spelling errors. I cannot dismiss irrational and conspiratorial arguments and, curiously, a lot of people who indulge in this type of lazy discourse are grammatically challenged too.

onlooker
Guest
onlooker
6 years ago
Reply to  jojo

Jojo,
The problem is that the rules are incredibly complex, and have been changed numerous times on many aspects of getting permits in the short period of time since their passage. Those rules have been promulgated and changed not only at the county level, but by municipal governments, and the state. Federal governance that existed at the time that municipalities, counties, and the state goverment each began developing their own rules and regulations (” the Cole Memo”) have also been recently changed by the Attorney General’s rescinsion of federal policy and replacement of it with a vague directive that each federal district should be governed according to the inclinations of the district’s supervising Deputy A.G. While there will certainly be defenses arguing unequal protections, the fact is that people who have made the leap into “going legit” are and have been shooting at a moving target for more than a year now. Let me know if you need any help with the big words.

jojo
Guest
jojo
6 years ago
Reply to  onlooker

This is hilarious, i am toking a fat dab over here, who cares about my grammar.
People sure flip out to see a picture of a blond girl, hahaha.

Look. i have completed my permit for my small farm, i know it has been hell, its very confusing to figure out. However i have seen way too many farmers who are totally clueless of the process and if they don’t understand how it all works and try to rely on a consultant they will be un competitive. The point is if you don’t understand all the rules and regulations now, then you shouldn’t be running your own company. Either quit or hire someone that can run it for you. Or better yet learn all the information for yourself. If you paid a consultant all your money thats like hiring someone to do your high school homework.

joe
Guest
joe
6 years ago
Reply to  jojo

[Edit: Joe, I’m serious. Learning grammar from anonymous people on the internet isn’t a great idea. Their credentials are somewhat lacking…Stick to arguing Jojo’s points. I only have so much time to edit. If someone deliberately keeps breaking the rules, eventually I ban them. Kym]

Good thing Kym came to your rescue and made sure you would never learn. Oh and I doubt anyone “flips out” about your pic.

JoshSour
Guest
JoshSour
6 years ago

Wow, so the over charging poorly managed greedy consulting firm was shut down by its deeply republican parent company? No surprise there.

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  JoshSour

Imagine that! A company that has standards. And puts them before profits. Who would have suspected. How unHumboldt can you get.

Pt
Guest
Pt
6 years ago

Hahahahaha. The greedy growers got swindled. I love it. I love watching them attempt tho rejoin society and try and regain a work ethic and then attempt to explain what they have been doing for 15 years. I love watching them shop at winco with the rest of us feeling superior yet unable to shop at wildberries anymore. The grower wives pissed off at their husbands because there will not be 4 months of exotic vacations this year.AWESOME!

Hum broseph
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  Pt

Misery loves company.

Gypsy Rose
Guest
Gypsy Rose
6 years ago

I am so happy this is happening. Now I might be able to find a place to live up where you folks are. All I have to say to the people who this is going to effect, I’m sorry but na na na na na na ! Learn a lesson from this, you play you pay.

jojo
Guest
jojo
6 years ago
Reply to  Gypsy Rose

Its not happening, didn’t you read the former owners are opening up there own consulting company. That new company will continue to recognize the prior work of clients and will try and compensate them for there misfortune.

Ocrimony
Guest
Ocrimony
6 years ago
Reply to  jojo

With Praj White??? Yeah. Maaaybe.

humkid
Guest
humkid
6 years ago

The rules keep changing jo jo hard to keep up and you think businesses don’t hire people to follow the laws lawyers, tax people get a grip and take a look at many of the agency’s farmers have to deal with

Maybe they realized every farm is going to need a Environmental impact report like required by the state.The county misled the whole community.
They take 6 months to a year and cost 35 -50 thousand dollars.If your going legal better get started.

And there are very few people in Humboldt that can actually do one. Listen to me people, oh and wells aren’t going to fly ether Get your rain en catchment .

jojo
Guest
jojo
6 years ago
Reply to  humkid

No, every farm will never be required to have an environmental impact report.

35-50 thousand dollars? i really hope your talking about new equipment, buildings, culverts, road work, septic, well, electrical.. right?

Also, you are TOTALLY misinformed, Wells are 100% approved, you do not need rain catchment systems.

Wow, there is so much hysteria and misinformed people saying doomsday nonsense.

Dustin
Guest
Dustin
6 years ago

Man you all got fucked Hard

jojo
Guest
jojo
6 years ago
Reply to  Dustin

no one got #$%#, the new consulting company will pick up the pieces, this was just a shock for the community, they will continue to finish peoples permits.

Humkid
Guest
Humkid
6 years ago
Reply to  jojo

my neighbor received a forbarince letter last august.for their well from Ca Fish and Wildlife

you will see.

CEQA is required by the state .Im trying to help but no one listens. MANDARORY ,

No one will receive a annual state license without one
I know the cost And the cost is only for the person preparing the report and owl hooters Hydrologist and biologists and like I said very few are capable of completing a final report

I would like to see Jo Jo produce A CEQA

Troll Patrol
Guest
Troll Patrol
6 years ago
Reply to  Humkid

If the well is near a stream then F&W may do something becouse it can still be using the water from that source. I would recommend catchment and storage over pulling from the water table then there is no problem.

Brian
Guest
Brian
6 years ago
Reply to  Troll Patrol

When I had my well drilled, there was minimum space requirement’s from streams, creeks, water etc.

Why? Because they want to make sure your well is not “hydrologically connected” to these sources.

I find that idea absurd; it’s all connected!! Who comes up wits this?

It’s like picking a part of my body to cut off that doesn’t get blood from my heart: not possible.

Though I’m happy to see the drug war fail, I’ll admit beurocracy and red tape stink

Penny
Guest
Penny
6 years ago
Reply to  Humkid

Where can you read about the CEQA requirements through the state?
Thanks.

jojo
Guest
jojo
6 years ago
Reply to  Humkid

The CEQA is fine, if you got a local permit then you have CEQA. The county’s environmental impact report covers this for you. Also if your well is not directly next to a creek or steam you will be fine to use it. Also no one is supposed to pump water from there well during the dry periods of the year, so you can still use your well but it has to be for water storage.

humkid
Guest
humkid
6 years ago
Reply to  jojo

That’s the problem the county EIR is not going to fly.You cant do one on the whole county .And wells are regulated by fish and wildlife .Rain in catchment or storage is the only right answer.Just because the county says OK doesn’t mean the state will issue an annual license .

Deaddog
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  jojo

Jojo you are good looking and smart !but Humboldt co don’t have a E I R .Mendocino co has a E I R . Humboldt co board of supervisors will vote on it soon.humboldt co will need a lot of good
Luck in count .humboldt co E I R is a big joke your humboldt supervisors have misled you

Wake up!!!
Guest
Wake up!!!
6 years ago
Reply to  jojo

Keep telling yourself that…. Manhard left because the money train ran out. There laughing stock with all agencies. They mismanaged their clients accounts. They charged outrageous prices for Work they never completed or that wasn’t accurate. If you really think this new consulting group I’ll be any better you need to stop doin dabs. It’s still the same bunch of unqualified, smoke blowin idiots. Come on people a change in name doesn’t change work ethic or morals. Praj White scammed people and is now trying to pass the buck off on Manhard. What a joke. Praj was in charge. He failed the local community. Nice PR attempt.

headjams
Guest
headjams
6 years ago

luls

Mobius Dancer
Guest
Mobius Dancer
6 years ago

Jeff Sessions.
And Big Pharma… Bet we could follow some payoff and find a few threats if we looked under a few rocks.

How dry I am hiccup
Guest
How dry I am hiccup
6 years ago

Praj White was not the only “consultant“ to take farmers money and run.
There are so many stories about these fly by night “consultants” that took growers money, and the grower thinking that they were going to get a permit because they were in good hands and going through the process… NOT ! They got fleeced and STILL no permit!
Ed Denson and “consultants “ like him seemed to have over sold their abilities. Now many farmers are not just high but financially dry .

J Finch
Guest
J Finch
6 years ago

Well

Not sure what to say, but i have played it safe and went with a consulting company that is a part of the family, and they are licensed bonded and insured.

Whew!!! So glad i didnt go with them.

Magna Wealth Solutions…yes. 🙂

No surprise
Guest
No surprise
6 years ago

Manhard has always been an iffy outfit.

local observer
Guest
local observer
6 years ago
Reply to  No surprise

I have never trusted anything or anyone that is not located on a coast. the ocean makes you a better person is what I came up with as a reason.

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  local observer

It sure washes away sins… to the great garbage patch where the current takes it.

Shel
Guest
Shel
6 years ago
Reply to  local observer

Then what’s with all the tweekers and other addicts living rough by the ocean? that makes them better people?! want another coin toss for a better analysis? heads: its the fault of the moon and stars– tails: they are just having a bad day and all those lovely negative ions from the lazy lapping waves will make it all right in the world come next Monday morning… I have lived here quite awhile, the ocean hasn’t moved/changed much but the people are getting worse in an exponential way.

zookeeper
Guest
zookeeper
6 years ago
Reply to  No surprise

I’ve had dealings with Manhard and found them to be helpful. It was on a construction project where they helped me correct a crooked contractor’s work. They helped engineer a compromise fix after what was looking like a vastly expensive tear down and redo, litigation, etc. etc.

I think this act isn’t a reflection on the folks locally at Manhard. I think it’s an ill wind from the East and from states who are a little ruffled about being forced to play along with federally illegal activities. It was a lapse in judgment on Manhard’s part. Or any other business engaged in the pot industry for that matter. Their parent company was hugely uncomfortable with federally illegal consulting. Long story short.

And, the banks in CA are showing the same discomfort harboring funds for what essentially is, by the blind definition of the law, a rogue cartel-state. Banks participating with illicit funds knowingly (their lawyers are telling them they cannot get federal backup and participate in federal crime) are engaged in crime. State lawmakers who didn’t nix the ballot initiatives proposing committing federal crime are also engaged in crime. Local municipalities declaring they are “sanctuary areas” where federal crime is welcome (Berkeley) are also engaged in crime. Supervisors creating laws and safe spaces for crime to happen (proposed Mad River extraction plant) are also engaged in crime.

I find this particular scuffle with Manhard to be one of the most significant harbingers of the prognosis of CA’s attempt to circumvent federal law. Businesses involved in the pot industry must be shaking in their shoes right now.

This particular story is a wake up call.

Ben Round
Guest
Ben Round
6 years ago

Praj comes from a good So Hum family. So I want to like him. Yet he/the company over charged me, took their time, and the bill kept running up as the company made unreasonable demands for a permit they ‘helped’ with engineering on. And then, once we settled on a bill, they would not send me a copy of my statement, etc. Cut off all communications. Unprofessional.
Not sure what happened. But Manhard was not a good experience for me.
I hope that if Praj opens a new biz, where he does not have corporate looking for his shoulder (to whatever degree they might have been) that his services will improve. If they don’t, he won’t have ‘corporate overlords’ to blame.

Ocrimony
Guest
Ocrimony
6 years ago
Reply to  Ben Round

From a good So Hum family??? You don’t know him at all, do you?

Ben Round
Guest
Ben Round
6 years ago
Reply to  Ocrimony

Not sure what your point is. Praj’s parents are well known and respected in So Hum. I had never met Praj before my experience with Manhard. Haven’t seen him since.
That clear enough for you?

Ocrimony
Guest
Ocrimony
6 years ago
Reply to  Ben Round

Like I said, you don’t know him at all, do you? Looks like you don’t know his father either. The nut doesn’t fall far from the tree. My point is that considering what I know and what I’ve heard about Praj, I’m not surprised that he was working for a questionable firm.

Ben Round
Guest
Ben Round
6 years ago
Reply to  Ocrimony

I know Praj’s dad. A real great, quality person. Not a ‘nut’.

....ayfkm?
Guest
6 years ago

Mattole Canyon Creek is filling with Bulgarian tears 😂😭🤣

Scooter
Guest
Scooter
6 years ago
Reply to  ....ayfkm?

The whole Mattole is full of Bulgarian effluent.

Johnny Reb
Guest
Johnny Reb
6 years ago

So many hyper-ego’s here – from criminals. Too bad you all didn’t “get played.” Peddle your dope on L.A. street corners – in gang territory. See how far that gets you, gringos.

Pshhh
Guest
Pshhh
6 years ago
Reply to  Johnny Reb

Why would we do that ?

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago

Is he the guy that’s off vacationing in Patagonia?

Seamus
Guest
Seamus
6 years ago

I thought Manhard was a civil engineering firm who did building and construction design this article makes them sound like they were strictly a marijuana consulting firm. They did site and design work for me that had nothing to do with pot.

local observer
Guest
local observer
6 years ago
Reply to  Seamus

build and design what? Danco has that cornered and he is banking on this failure and crash to happen so they can build their mega slums. do you think there is more to the story of crashing the economy? which the County is clearly doing by changing the game almost monthly. the forecast for Humboldt is shady with a high chance of misery and that’s for everyone. the first thing I plan to do is submit the one page form to have my property value reassessed for tax purposes. I clearly see a trifecta of tax revenue doom for the County.

I recommend his work
Guest
I recommend his work
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

I teamed with Praj before he was with Manhard and after. Praj brought his client list to Manhard that he built with his own company. Their business covers residential and commercial development, environmental permitting, Hydrology, civil engineering. They have a lot of experience in “green” building design and developing tough rural Humboldt properties. I wish him and his employees the best and hope they can come out on the other side in one piece.

....ayfkm?
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  Seamus

You’re the exception, then. In ettersburg, the only thing Manhard did was help pot industrialists destroy watersheds, and ruin roads.

blame the cause
Guest
blame the cause
6 years ago
Reply to  ....ayfkm?

they help people apply for legal permits. you can thank our supervisors and permitting agencies for the green rush in the hills, over appropriating water for “alternative” ag. and residential use, converting timberland to other uses (deforestation), dust, 24-7 road use on roads designed for rare ise hauling logs and resource access.

Will Smith
Guest
Will Smith
6 years ago

Another win for the black market ! Or as like to call it “the people’s market”

Cheri
Guest
Cheri
6 years ago
Reply to  Will Smith

I like it The People’s Market. Will Smith, it is perfect.

Livin' Easy
Guest
Livin' Easy
6 years ago

The whole legalization process in California is horribly designed; but Humboldt Sups knew exactly what they were doing. Setting up big grows with regulations they designed to be changed or fail. Our county was exceptionally greedy and controlling. They could have made a lot of tax money, but ruined a good thing. Time for a change next election.

owyhee kid
Guest
owyhee kid
6 years ago

did they steal everyones money ????

PollyP
Guest
PollyP
6 years ago

Well hopefully City of Ferndale will get smart and get a real engineering company now that Praj White’s mistakes have come home to roost. It’s not just the cannabis, there’s other stuff or they wouldn’t have locked the computers and fired everyone. Corporations do that for fraud or legal issues – not being annoyed at how much money their staff is or is not bringing in.

local observer
Guest
local observer
6 years ago
Reply to  PollyP

you sound jealous. the closing of the Office was a direct results of the last week’s reversal of the Cole memo and the fear of losing their conservative clients nationally. manhard was just an office for Praj to work out of. consulting in a good ol boy environment is quite difficult when you are not in the club and don’t want to be, but everyone wants to hire you because you are not in the club.

Mendocino Mamma
Guest
Mendocino Mamma
6 years ago

I’ve said it once I’ll say it a thousand times the Cannabis industry is… ever-evolving never resolving. Until the feds come on board with legalization it is all up in the air. No amount of paperwork can save your ass if they choose to cause case with it. There’s a long way to go before true legalization occurs. May not be in any of our lifetimes.

local observer
Guest
local observer
6 years ago

it will become legal shortly after the silent generation is dead. I see everything evolving at that point. its not that far away.

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  local observer

Maybe but by then, with mass public data being finally available, there will be a tobacco like campaign to minimize the negative effects of mass consumption.

Shel
Guest
Shel
6 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Yep, like cannabis cures cancer?! they use to tout the health aspects of tobacco smoking too. Guess who is patenting different aspects of mj …

Amazing really
Guest
Amazing really
6 years ago

Yes, hopefully Soon people will be sharing their experiences they had with Ed Denson as their “cannabis consultant”. He didn’t know ANYTHING about the regs , especially the land use and zoning and how it fits with your land. We found out the hard way that Ed is also woefully misinformed about the county ordinance. Ask Diana Totten how many of Ed’s clients did she inherit because Ed didn’t come through for them.

Dinks
Guest
Dinks
6 years ago

Well is Board of Stupidvisors next? Hope so!! Also is Praj Addona Whites brother you know WATER BOARD LADY THAT VISITS EVERYBODY? If ever visited by these folks get in writing what has to b fixed they water board seems to change mind often. And ask them to put in writing how the fix should take place. They are the experts Riigght?

farce
Guest
farce
6 years ago
Reply to  Dinks

Adonna? Is she actually visiting people and fining them?! Known her and Dave from Redwood Summer days. She warned a bunch of us over a decade ago that this water board stuff would be coming. It seems like it was a long-term plan to get everybody’s wells and water sources registered and recorded…way before the historic drought. Why do they want all of our water registered on all of our private lands? What’s up with that?! Ask Adonna. Or ask Dave…in private…maybe they will clue you in

Dinks
Guest
Dinks
6 years ago
Reply to  farce

Well i dont know either but can you share the secret.? There is more cannabis now than ever and more water being used for it ?? Soall this doesnt seem to b working?? Iwas told by Gallegos this is a total complaint driven program?

farce
Guest
farce
6 years ago
Reply to  Dinks

I know no secret. But I feel there is a plan in getting everybody to basically give up their water rights on their private properties. They keep talking about climate change like it’s a given so I’m guessing extreme drought would trigger state seizure of water sources? This is California.

Frumboldt
Guest
Frumboldt
6 years ago
Reply to  farce

Climate change is the lie that is used to justify the kill-off of the poor. Its a one way street of failed logic. Geo particulate engineering is the salting of the atmosphere with metal sulphates and oxides. Tons of poison metal salts floating down in to our Childrens lungs. The lie is used to justify the events that put things in to motion.

Mytruckisahillbeater
Guest
Mytruckisahillbeater
6 years ago

Ah this is a mess. Get chur camo and yur ammo, this hill aint movin

Black
Markets
Matter

Capitalist pig
Guest
Capitalist pig
6 years ago

Jeffy boy will be a comin fer ya soon . Haven’t you all been noticing the military surveillance plans? I have . They are planning something this summer

Bottomline
Guest
Bottomline
6 years ago

White House
BLACK MARKET
DO THE MATH.

Stating the obvious
Guest
Stating the obvious
6 years ago

I’m actually glad that place shut down it was the most over priced firm out there . Praj white is a cocky little prick that was enjoying everyone’s money while he overcharging everyone. I’m sure he’s going start a new firm but I will never use him again.

Not worth it
Guest
Not worth it
6 years ago

Sadly, most of the people didn’t need him in the first place. Shoulda buckled down and did it ourselves. Most people got told and sold a bill of goods …” listen, you NEED me. You’ll be one of the FIRST I’ll get a permit for. Yeah I’m expensive ,but I’m WORTH IT.” Uhhh, NO YOU WEREN’T . Yes, you were 1/2 right, you were EXPENSIVE, but definitely NOT WORTH IT in the end. Big bills with no itemization, WTH.
Now, Still no permit, are you going to return peoples money that you took?

Wanting to do the rite thing.
Guest
Wanting to do the rite thing.
6 years ago

Ya hire him again, How does the saying go fool me once shame on ? Fool me twice ??

nobody
Guest
nobody
6 years ago

bring back the black market keebler elf.

Dinks
Guest
Dinks
6 years ago

Which local bank does Humboldt Co deposit all these permit fees to from Cannabis permits?? And is that bank Federally insured?? And also can u still sale your property through a federally backed Title Co? Licensed or permit pending ? On property and what is the exit plan if you want out of permit process? So you can sale your property without a “”Crime scene”” On record due to permit process for cannabis. I dont think Trump likes California ….

Thebigdeal
Guest
Thebigdeal
6 years ago

I wonder how much of the money made its way to the corporate headquarters.?

Dogma
Guest
Dogma
6 years ago
Reply to  Thebigdeal

Half?

ADD / ASPERGERS HERE lol
Guest
ADD / ASPERGERS HERE lol
6 years ago

Paperwork is hard.

Yo Momma
Guest
Yo Momma
6 years ago

These Consulting firms are just a bunch of rip offs…

nobody
Guest
nobody
6 years ago

bring back the black market keebler elf!