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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Guest Opinion: Rural Oregon, sacrifice zone for proposed LNG export projects? ... Coos County ballot measure seeks to nullify gun background checks ... Medford police chief announces retirement ... Guest Opinion: Rural Oregon, sacrifice zone for proposed LNG export projects? ... Coos County ballot measure seeks to nullify gun background checks ... Medford police chief announces retirement ... Mayor signs off on medical pot sales Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 22, 2015 at 4:49 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 22, 2015 at 4:49 PM » Social News Medford Mayor Gary Wheeler brushed aside his veto threat and signed off Thursday on an ordinance allowing the sale of medical marijuana in the city after Dec. 1, ending an 18-month moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries. The ordinance will not allow recreational marijuana sales in the city but does permit laboratories, wholesalers and processors to handle both recreational and medical cannabis. The council may send the question of retail sales to the voters of Medford in November 2016. Voters in Medford were almost evenly split over Ballot Measure 91, approved last November to legalize marijuana for anyone 21 or older. Once the ordinance takes effect Dec. 1, dispensaries can apply for a business license with the city. Last week, Wheeler threatened to veto the ordinance, but the council, in an effort to respond to the mayor’s concerns, approved stripping recreational sales from the ordinance and also indicated a willingness to take the issue to voters in November 2016. In addition, the council will look at banning outdoor pot gardens. “I am concerned about livability in neighborhoods,” Wheeler said. “I think those are issues we need to deal with as a city.” He said he expects city staff to come back in late November or early December with suggested language for the ballot measure and for the outdoor garden ban. While the city works on the ballot measure language, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission will be developing rules for the operation of recreational marijuana stores. Wheeler said the information provided by OLCC should help voters get a better idea of how many regulations recreational sales will operate under. “The voters next fall will come in as a more informed electorate,” he said. In Jackson County, 13 dispensaries, which also offer recreational marijuana on a temporary basis, are operating in seven cities in the valley. In Phoenix, there are three dispensaries in operation, and just outside the Medford city limits there is another new dispensary that opened on Crater Lake Avenue. “Anybody who wants to buy it will have the resources to buy it,” Wheeler said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 22, 2015 at 4:49 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501