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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 Since You Asked: Wimer Dam fish salvage yields nada natives ... Possible links between dead Oregon man, missing women investigated ... Cemetery tour highlights drifters, saloon keepers ... Since You Asked: Wimer Dam fish salvage yields nada natives ... Possible links between dead Oregon man, missing women investigated ... Cemetery tour highlights drifters, saloon keepers ... OUR VIEW Our View: Smell of trouble may spark marijuana limits Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 22, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Feb. 22, 2015 at 12:01 AM What do you think? --> Have an opinion on this story? Send a letter to the editor at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter or by email at [email protected]. » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this story? Send a letter to the editor at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter or by email at [email protected] . » Social News An old saying goes something like, "The right to swing your fist ends at my nose." For would-be marijuana growers, perhaps the saying should be, "The right to grow your pot wherever you want ends at my nose." That's essentially what Ashland City Administrator Dave Kanner is saying when he suggests that the city put limits on where individuals may grow marijuana, despite a voter-approved measure giving people the right to grow their own. We think Kanner is onto something, because marijuana poses some unique risks — not to mention smells — for neighbors who might not be all that excited about the new intoxicant on the block. Marijuana advocates often cite alcohol as a precedent when making their case for legalization. That's fine, as far as it goes. But alcohol doesn't grow in people's backyards and, unless you decide to get uncomfortably close to your neighbor after the big game, you're not likely to smell it either. Cities, counties and the state are considering their options when it comes to marijuana legalization and how it's implemented. We believe it's important for the state — through the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which has been chosen to handle the task — to establish rules that not only fairly implement the new law, but also protect neighbors and non-users. There have already been some howls of protest over Kanner's suggestion that limits be considered, including a possible prohibition on growing marijuana in residential areas. "We won," they say. "To the victors go the spoils." Well, wait a minute, we say. The measure did win, rather handily, but 44 percent of Oregonians — 663,346 of them — voted against it, as did 47 percent — 39,181 — in Jackson County. They have concerns and if those concerns are ignored, marijuana legalization advocates will have succeeded in prolonging the battle over weed. The difference between pot and, say, alcohol, is that it can be easily grown in a backyard. While the law requires that it be kept out of view "from a public place," that doesn't include out of view from the neighbors' decks or windows. Marijuana can be created, and consumed, without an elaborate process, making it all-too available to people for whom it may not be legal, but for whom a backyard fence is a no real obstacle. And then there's the smell, which around harvest time is described as similar to that emitted by a skunk. We don't know that four plants per household will put up much of a stink, but it's something worth investigating — as is Kanner's suggestion that grow operations on vacant properties be tightly controlled. You can be sure Ashland is not the only city considering its options in controlling marijuana. In fact, given Ashland's political and cultural nature, other cites are almost assuredly looking at much tighter restrictions. We hope the OLCC can head off many of the one-off rules around the state by establishing some reasonable limits on what is and isn't allowed. If it doesn't, local lawmakers will, you can count on it.  The legalization of marijuana is hardly the calamity that some would make it out to be. But if sensible controls are not put in place, it will continue to be controversial long after the clamor should have died down. If you can see the potential for trouble — and smell the potential for trouble — it only makes sense to take steps to head it off before it happens.   MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 22, 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. 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