Washington cities that allowed the sale of legal marijuana were expecting a payout of $15 million dollars from the $550 million in state revenue that cannabis taxes have created. However, the state legislators have decided that they will withhold $9 million of that payout to bolster public school funding across the state. Earlier this year, the decision was made to reallocate some of the $15 million earmarked for cities to remain compliant with a 2012 state Supreme Court ruling mandating the budget allocations necessary for a basic level of education services.
While the reallocation of the funds was always a zero-sum game — it was always earmarked to be spent in some government capacity — many see the diversion of funds to education over other civil services as an investment rather than an expense.
“It’s all about providing a positive structured environment so children can use positive decision-making skills,” Union Gap city manager Arlene Fisher-Maurer said to the (Walla Walla) Union-Bulletin. “There’s a hope that as they get older they make the right decisions.”
As for the cities, they may be smarting from the decision to divert 60% of their anticipated funds and shouldn’t count on recouping the total amount initially pledged anytime soon. According to the Union-Bulletin, the state has made it clear that it will be allocating $6 million of any marijuana tax revenue to cities in the coming years, with the balance continuing to fund basic education in public schools.
That’s not to say that other services are being ignored by state budgeters; it’s only that the city’s allocation has shrunk. The decision to legalize marijuana sales has created a windfall of cash for the state, and with an astonishingly high tax rate on the product, residents find themselves in the envious position of how to spend all that money.
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
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Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.