Bratton is a cannabis advocate, but he emphasized the need to protect children and to ensure at all costs his product doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

“I have young kids, and there is no cannabis around kids, period,” he said. Bratton said he wants to work with all of those opposed and try to address their concerns, and he says that probably doesn’t mean changing their minds about marijuana.

For others, he said first-time users may need some guidance.

“I want to educate the community about it too,” Bratton said. “Someone who doesn’t smoke a cigarette and smokes (marijuana), they’re likely going to get sick and throw up. If you’re going to use cannabis you need to understand what you’re doing — it’s a potent drug, take it easy.”

Legalization was the first step, and now Bratton and others are moving on to legitimization for what he sees as a lucrative business that will support his family.

“I’m certainly not going to be some vigilante businessman — I want to take it really slow. And inventory is going to be scarce to begin with,” Bratton said. “It’s awesome to be a part of something new like this.”

Brooks Johnson covers Longview city government for The Daily News. Reach him at 360-577-7828 or bjohnson@tdn.com.

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