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3 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 Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... Reopening of the Siskiyou Line means trucking companies will take a hit ... Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... Reopening of the Siskiyou Line means trucking companies will take a hit ... OUR VIEW Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Oct. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> In the latest installment of what seems to be endless debating and flip-flopping on marijuana, the City Council voted Thursday to ban recreational pot sales in the city, and signaled its intention to ban outdoor growing as well. State law allows the city to ban recreational sales if voters agree. The council should give voters the opportunity to do that in the May primary. When Oregon voters legalized the possession and use of recreational marijuana last November, Ballot Measure 91 provided for any local jurisdiction to prohibit retail sales if voters endorse a measure to that effect. The 2015 Legislature passed a bill that allowed localities to ban sales without a public vote if at least 55 percent of their residents voted no on Measure 91. While Jackson County supported Measure 91 by 53 to 47 percent, Medford voters were virtually 50-50, opposing it by 42 votes. That means Medford cannot ban retail sales without putting the question to voters. It's unclear whether the city has the power to ban outdoor growing, which is specifically allowed under Measure 91, but council members say they believe they can. While city voters were narrowly divided on recreational marijuana, the City Council leans heavily against. An ordinance allowing medical marijuana dispensaries starting Dec. 1 but not retail sales passed 7-1 Thursday. Later in the same meeting, councilors voted 5-2 to instruct staff to draw up a ban on outdoor growing. The bill to allow dispensaries initially would have permitted retail sales, too, but Mayor Gary Wheeler threatened to veto it. Under Medford's form of government, the mayor votes only in the case of a tie, but does have veto power, although it has rarely been used and never by Wheeler. The council amended the dispensary bill to exclude retail sales in an attempt to avoid a veto. They also agreed to the ban on backyard growing in an effort to placate the mayor and fend off the veto. It's clear Wheeler personally objects to marijuana sales in Medford. But a veto at this point would affect only medical marijuana patients, many (but clearly not all) of whom have valid medical needs for the drug. He should hold off on a veto and wait to see what the voters think. Banning retail sales, with or without a public vote, is not likely to have much effect on the use of marijuana in Medford since retail outlets are already operating in Phoenix, Talent, Ashland and Gold Hill, and possession and use remain legal for adults throughout the state. It would mean an inconvenience to Medford residents who use marijuana, but it won't keep many of them from doing it. The city is facing likely legal expenses and more divisive debate in trying to enact these local ordinances. They should put the issue to a vote and make sure their efforts meet with the approval of the citizens who elected them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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. 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. 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