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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 Our View: Bottle deposit increase may help boost returns ... Gray wolf spotted by trail cam in Siskiyou County ... Medford drive-by shooting suspect linked to Portland shooting ... Our View: Bottle deposit increase may help boost returns ... Gray wolf spotted by trail cam in Siskiyou County ... Medford drive-by shooting suspect linked to Portland shooting ... OUR VIEW Our View: Take it slow on legal marijuana Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 5, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Mar. 5, 2015 at 12:01 AM What do you think? --> Have an opinion on this topic? Send a letter to the editor at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter ... » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this topic? Send a letter to the editor at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter or email [email protected] . » Social News Oregon's venture into legal recreational marijuana will be a learning experience for everyone involved, from private citizens to local governments to state regulators. Medford City Council members' recently expressed concerns about the city's prohibitive stance toward both medical and recreational marijuana are an example of the kind of thoughtful approach that should result in a better outcome in the long run. Last spring, the city declared a permanent moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries after the Oregon Legislature passed a law to permit them. But in November, voters statewide legalized the possession and private use of recreational marijuana by adults. The city also enacted a tax on recreational marijuana, along with many other cities. Jackson County votes will be tabulated next Tuesday on whether to levy a tax on both medical and recreational marijuana in unincorporated parts of the county. Regardless of how city officials feel about marijuana, Oregonians will be legally allowed to grow it starting July 1. Cities already are debating regulations on backyard growing to minimize odors that might bother neighbors. If retail sales of marijuana are outlawed in an entire city, that could prompt more people to grow their own, increasing neighborhood conflicts. Taxes, too, have a downside. Measure 91, the legalization initiative, says only the state can tax marijuana. Local governments are lobbying the Legislature to change that, but lawmakers at all levels should think twice. Washington state voters legalized marijuana in 2012. The state taxes were set much higher than the $35 an ounce specified in the Oregon law. Lawmakers in Olympia are now considering bills to lower Washington's tax rates because black-market dealers are able to undercut licensed retail stores. This is uncharted territory for Oregon, but much can and should be learned from the experience of Washington and Colorado. Medford city councilors will discuss the marijuana issue in a study session at noon Thursday, March 12 at City Hall.  A calm, practical approach that recognizes the reality of legal marijuana use while enacting reasonable controls for everyone's benefit will be better than heavy-handed attempts to over-regulate and over-tax. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 5, 2015 at 12:01 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