Matt Walstatter fell into the cannabis business like many people do; he got sick. Really sick.

In 2003, a bad case of flu and pneumonia turned into painful gastrointestinal symptoms that wouldn’t go away. For 10 years he vomited every day. He lost 50 pounds in the first six months.

After trying everything and seeing multiple doctors, acupuncturists, and naturopaths, cannabis was the only thing that provided relief. He applied for the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program to grow cannabis for himself and soon started growing for others. For nearly three years, he’s run Pure Green dispensary in Portland, Oregon.

As much as he enjoys his new career, it’s not without challenges.

“I liken operating a cannabis business to running with ankle weights,” Walstatter says, “because everything is a little harder.”

Medical and recreational marijuana are legal in Oregon but not at the federal level, putting businesses like Walstatter’s at odds with the government and the financial industry.

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