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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 Home News Latest Stories 10 things to know for Friday Emergency Services ODFW director Elicker will step down Mail Tribune 100 City approves Sky Park Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Fire chars auto repair shop, vehicles Lint build-up likely caused Talent dryer fire American Auto shop damaged by morning fire UPDATED: Medford school bus in crash; no students hurt, officials say Politics and Elections Talent to consider taxing recreational, but not medicinal marijuana Candidate files false statements Just one seat will be contested for Central Point council Gold Hill mayor faces challenger; other races have one candidate each Medford proposes new rules for pawn shops to help nab thieves Education UPDATED: Medford school bus in crash; no students hurt, officials say Free TED talk simulcast in Ashland Bear spotted near Central Point school Eagle Point helps students with first-day jitters Back-to-school shopping can add up Environment ODFW director Elicker will step down Medford hunter's exotic collection goes on sale Elusive owls get new home in Cascades Judge won't block release of water Ashland marchers won't give up on climate change message State news Nation - World Obituaries David Allen Riant Dr. Stephen Edward Drabik Martha M. 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MEDFORD Medford council considers pot tax By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 4, 2014 @ 7:57 pm Updated Sep 4, 2014 at 8:53 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 4, 2014 @ 7:57 pm Updated Sep 4, 2014 at 8:53 PM » Social News A tax on marijuana was given serious consideration by the Medford City Council on Thursday as a preemptive measure in the event pot is legalized this November and the federal government lessens criminal penalties. “I think the prudent thing is to adopt a tax,” Councilor Daniel Bunn said. “I think we’re being pushed into a corner on this.” However, various councilors denounced the medical marijuana dispensary program in the state and criticized the disparity between federal and state laws on pot. “In terms of the medical marijuana program, I think it’s a farce,” Councilor Bob Strosser said. The council decided to explore creating a contingency tax that could have a range of roughly 5 to 15 percent on all marijuana transactions. The council earlier this year declared a permanent moratorium on medical marijuana. Councilors worry that pot could become legal under Ballot Measure 91, titled the Control, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana and Industrial Hemp Act of 2014. Members fear municipalities won't be able to tax marijuana after November if the measure passes because of language written into Ballot Measure 91, which prevents cities from adopting taxes after the fact.. At the same time, the council didn’t appear to soften its stance on marijuana sales within the city because it still violates federal law. “Somehow, I think my oath of office is more important than anything else,” Councilor Dick Gordon said. With cannabis laws changing so quickly, Gordon said he thinks the federal government will be pushed into a corner and will eventually reschedule marijuana. Gordon and other councilors didn’t want to set too high a tax because it could encourage black market sales of pot. Washington and Colorado — where recreational pot is legal — are still struggling with setting the best tax rate possible to bring in revenue but not to tax too high, Deputy City Attorney Kevin MccConnell said. “What’s happening in Washington is people are going back to the black market,” he said. In Denver, the city has received $5 million in new tax revenue from January to June, McConnell said, though he said the state of Colorado has received less tax revenue than anticipated. The amount of money raised from taxes could help offset the additional costs of enforcement as well as deal with health and safety issues in the city, he said. “It looks like a significant amount of tax revenue could be lost,” McConnell said. A person McConnell knew who visited Amsterdam recently asked a shop owner if he could see the best marijuana available. The visitor was taken to a back room and shown a jar of marijuana grown in Southern Oregon, he said. “We have the best marijuana in the world,” McConnell said. The councilors indicated they would like to act on a local tax before the November election. “A lot is being put in place for some kind of preemptive taxing measure,” City Manager Eric Swanson said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @reporterdm. By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 4, 2014 @ 7:57 pm Updated Sep 4, 2014 at 8:53 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. 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 Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. 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