Document text
2 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 Councilor sorry for how Medford manager was fired; another says council wasn't 'Christ-like' ... Medford youth pastor indicted on federal child porn charges ... Mt. Ashland Ski Area launches $650,000 fundraiser ... Councilor sorry for how Medford manager was fired; another says council wasn't 'Christ-like' ... Medford youth pastor indicted on federal child porn charges ... Mt. Ashland Ski Area launches $650,000 fundraiser ... MARIJUANA Jacksonville will use existing rules to deal with pot grows Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 17, 2015 at 5:46 PM Updated at 11:34 AM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 17, 2015 at 5:46 PM Updated at 11:34 AM » Social News JACKSONVILLE — City officials will rely on the town’s nuisance ordinances to deal with marijuana grows that cause problems rather than passing a new law. Growing marijuana for recreational use becomes legal in the state July 1, and a proposed growing regulation ordinance failed to get a second of a motion at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Growing for medical purposes is already legal for patients and caregivers who meet criteria set out in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act. Other Rogue Valley cities have passed ordinances to govern grows, but Jacksonville councilors expressed concerns about setting regulations for the upcoming change. “Not being able to get a second on the ordinance speaks for itself. This is a complex issue that needs some more time,” said Councilor David Jesser. “Just look at what the state is going through right now to figure it out.” The state Legislature and the Oregon Liquor Control Commission have been grappling with rules to enact Ballot Measure 91, passed overwhelmingly by voters in November. Councilors had debated the need for regulation and looked at proposals at two previous meetings. Councilor Jim Lewis made the motion to adopt the ordinance. There was no input from the public at the meeting or at a June 2 meeting. Under the proposed ordinance, cultivating and processing of marijuana would not have been allowed to be perceptible visually or by smell, could not have been done in front yards and would have had to be done in a secure area that was locked or partitioned off to prevent access other than by patients, primary caregivers or cultivators. “I think it makes sense to find an ordinance that supports the citizens and protects them from impacts that growing may have on them, but let the people exercise the vote that was passed last fall,” said Councilor Jocie Wall. “We don’t have clear guidance from the state on how to handle this.” Wall noted that Police Chief David Towe would like some direction from the council. Towe urged the city to take a position during discussion at the June 2 meeting. “There’s still so much unknown. It like a big experiment, a petri dish for the city,” said Councilor Ken Gregg. “I think it will be defined by specifics from the courts. Cities that lay down a lot of rules and regulations may be taken to court, and cities that don’t may also be taken to court.” Gregg said he was on the fence over the issue two weeks ago, but further study persuaded him to avoid setting rules at this time. City nuisance ordinances provide a way to handle complaints, he said. “We have enough on the books to deal with the issues, the big one being odor,” said Gregg. “I think we should just wait and see what happens and respond accordingly.” Property rights are also a concern for Gregg, who worries about telling people what they can and can’t do on their property. Mayor Paul Becker, who sets the council agenda, said the issue is unlikely to come back soon. “Unless someone brings it to me, I have no plan to put it on the next agenda, or the one after that, or the one after that,” said Becker. “They’d have to come and explain to me why they want it put on the agenda, and we would discuss it.” Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at [email protected]. By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 17, 2015 at 5:46 PM Updated at 11:34 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