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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 (No heading) ... Our View: Charging ahead on supporting electric vehicles ... Rogue River man allegedly copped to fatal knifing, affidavit says ... (No heading) ... Our View: Charging ahead on supporting electric vehicles ... Rogue River man allegedly copped to fatal knifing, affidavit says ... OUR VIEW Our View: Avoid overreacting to legal marijuana Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Jan. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM What do you think? --> Have an opinion on this editorial? Send a letter to the editor at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter. » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this editorial? Send a letter to the editor at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter . » Social News The 2015 session of the Oregon Legislature has not yet begun, but lawmakers are wasting no time filing bushels of bills regarding marijuana after voters legalized recreational use of the drug in November. While the Legislature has an interest in making sure the new law works for everyone and an obligation to protect the health and safety of Oregonians, legislators should resist the impulse to undermine what the voters have done. At least 16 bills dealing with marijuana were filed Monday, and more are expected.  Marijuana becomes legal to possess and consume on July 1, and retail sales are scheduled to start in 2016 under regulations to be developed by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Voters in November approved Ballot Measure 91, 56 percent to 43 percent statewide and 53-46 in Jackson County. Among the big issues lawmakers must address is taxation: Measure 91 sets up a state tax, and expressly forbids local governments from levying their own taxes. That didn't stop nearly every local city and county from enacting local taxes anyway. Most did so before the election in the belief that would render the local levies immune from the law's pre-emption. That question, as well as the issue of protecting children from exposure to edible marijuana products that resemble ordinary sweets, are important to resolve. It's worth noting that the OLCC — an agency not known for a light touch in regulating alcohol — is charged with deciding how to structure marijuana sales under Measure 91. Beyond the major questions are measures that would restrict marijuana sales much more severely than the law approved by voters. One in particular would ban retail sales of marijuana with a mile of any school — which could effectively nullify legal sales in entire communities. That measure, as well as some of the local taxes enacted by cities and counties, appear motivated more by outright opposition to legalization than by concern over proper regulation of the new market. Measure 91 already allows local communities to ban retail marijuana sales — if local voters approve. Lawmakers in Salem certainly should ensure that marijuana sales are properly regulated and managed, but should avoid substituting their personal wishes for the clearly expressed will of the people.       MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 16, 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