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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 Civil Air Patrol gets hands-on training ... Central Point couple face elder abuse charges ... Whitewater park with 'wave shaper' to open in Bend ... Civil Air Patrol gets hands-on training ... Central Point couple face elder abuse charges ... Whitewater park with 'wave shaper' to open in Bend ... Josephine County commissioners tangled up in hemp-pot dispute Comment By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Jun. 12, 2015 at 9:54 AM By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Jun. 12, 2015 at 9:54 AM » Social News Two Josephine County commissioners who sent a letter to the Oregon Legislature opposing a bill that would restrict hemp production in the county are partners in a six-person consortium that is growing hemp in the Murphy area. Amid threats of an ethics flap against his colleague Cherryl Walker, Josephine County Commissioner Simon Hare issued a surprise statement during a meeting Wednesday night announcing that he too might have a conflict of interest in the matter. Hare said the conflict stems from "an action I took on May 27 by signing a letter addressing HB2668. It should be known that I am an investor in a company involved in the production of industrial hemp in southern Oregon." In addition, Hare said he asked state officials to determine if any conflict exists. After the meeting, Hare told the Daily Courier that his investment is with the same company in which Walker is an investor. Walker has been fending off claims by critics that she has a conflict of interest by advocating against House Bill 2668, which would place restrictions on hemp production and specifically would affect industrial hemp production in Josephine, Jackson and Douglas counties. Walker signed the same letter and she is a partner in the hemp production on 20 acres she owns, with her husband Martin Hill, in the Murphy area. Commission Chairman Keith Heck also signed the letter, but he has no interest in any hemp operations. To date, the Oregon Ethics Commission has not received a formal complaint against Walker. In prior comments to the Daily Courier, Walker contends there was no wrongdoing because the Board of Commissioners has no control over the outcome of state legislation. "That's not a violation because I don't have a vote on the state committee," Walker said. She added that as a county commissioner she advocates for many issues, such as timber, that can benefit residents of Josephine County. Walker also owns forestland. Walker and Hare are partners in a six-person consortium that has one of 13 permits in Oregon to produce industrial hemp. Their farm is located on 20 acres located about 10 miles south of Grants Pass. It's not far from Hidden Valley High School. The bill they oppose, HB2668, is considered a major threat to hemp production. It contains several provisions that would restrict hemp production, the most significant of which is a prohibition against growing industrial hemp in Josephine, Jackson and Douglas counties until Jan. 1, 2021. By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Jun. 12, 2015 at 9:54 AM » 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