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MARIJUANA Dispensary owner begs Medford council on his knees Asks to allow sales of medical marijuana in city By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 2, 2015 @ 5:16 pm Updated Jul 2, 2015 at 5:50 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 2, 2015 @ 5:16 pm Updated Jul 2, 2015 at 5:50 PM » 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" --> A former marijuana dispensary owner got down on his knees Thursday and pleaded with the Medford City Council to lift its ban on providing cannabis to Medford patients. “We want to take marijuana off the black market and into dispensaries,” said Phil Carvalho, owner of Patients Helping Patients, which was forced to shut down last month after the city took Carvalho to court. “I’m begging you on my knees.” Carvalho read a brief speech to the council, and then got down on his knees to plead his case. Carvalho said Oregon entered a new era July 1 with the legalization of marijuana for adults, and he urged the council to follow the lead of other cities that have allowed dispensaries in their communities. The Medford council has enacted a permanent ban on medical marijuana dispensaries. Councilors did not reply to Carvalho. Patients Helping Patients, 2390 W. Main St., has a state license to dispense medical marijuana, but the city of Medford has twice cited the owners, Carvalho and Owen L. Christiansen, for failing to have a local business license. Carvalho applied for a license but the city denied his request. In May, Jackson County Circuit Judge Timothy Gerking found that the federal Controlled Substances Act, which bans marijuana and places it in the same category as heroin, trumps Oregon laws. The city of Medford’s ordinance prohibits issuing a business license to any business that violates local, state or federal laws. Gerking said the city’s permanent injunction against Patients Helping Patients would be in effect until or unless marijuana is reclassified by the federal government. Senate Bill 1531, passed by the Legislature in April 2014, allowed cities to issue a one-year moratorium on licensing medical marijuana facilities. Gerking said he had “serious concerns” about the city’s declaration of a permanent moratorium on dispensaries because SB 1531 expired May 1, and because the recreational use of marijuana would become legal on July 1. Nevertheless, Gerking said he supported the city’s permanent injunction based on its ability to enforce federal law. In his ruling, Gerking said Carvalho and Christiansen have operated a medical marijuana business in “total defiance and utter impunity of city ordinances.” The city has been debating whether to allow medical marijuana dispensaries and potentially recreational marijuana stores. On July 9, the City Council plans to hold another study session to discuss time, place and manner restrictions on marijuana shops. Steve Sartin, a 59-year-old Medford resident, also asked the council Thursday to change its position on medical marijuana dispensaries. “I understand Medford is sitting on the fence about OMMP-licensed facilities,” he said. OMMP is the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. Sartin said marijuana has been invaluable to many patients, including a friend’s 5-year-old who wasn’t able to find relief from prescription medications for uncontrollable tremors. He said the federal government has been providing incorrect information about marijuana for decades. “It’s such a mixed bag of opinions, lies and garbage,” he said. The council members also did not respond to Sartin's comments. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow on Twitter at @reporterdm. By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 2, 2015 @ 5:16 pm Updated Jul 2, 2015 at 5:50 PM » Comment or view comments /* $( 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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