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1 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 OR-7 goes off the radar ... Parking permits hobble Sky Park project ... Mt. Ashland Ski Area pass sale ends Saturday night ... OR-7 goes off the radar ... Parking permits hobble Sky Park project ... Mt. Ashland Ski Area pass sale ends Saturday night ... CONTINUING COVERAGE: MARIJUANA Jackson County officials move to repeal pot tax Public hearing scheduled Nov. 12 Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 28, 2015 at 12:52 PM Updated Oct 28, 2015 at 5:09 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 28, 2015 at 12:52 PM Updated Oct 28, 2015 at 5:09 PM » Social News The Jackson County Board of Commissioners is moving to repeal a marijuana tax approved by county voters because it runs afoul of state law. Commissioners voted Wednesday to give initial approval for a repeal of the tax approved by local voters in a special March election. A public hearing and final vote on the repeal is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Jackson County Courthouse Auditorium, 10 S. Oakdale Ave., Medford. "We're doing what's necessary to stay within state rules," Commissioner Rick Dyer said. Commissioners had put the local tax before voters in hopes that tax revenue could be used to pay for added law enforcement and regulatory costs triggered by Oregon voters' November 2014 approval of a measure legalizing recreational marijuana statewide. The local tax measure passed with 63 percent of the vote. The Jackson County measure enabled the county to impose a sales tax of up to 25 percent on medical and recreational marijuana. With uncertainty about what laws the Oregon Legislature would adopt this year, county commissioners set the tax at 0 percent for one year. This summer Gov. Kate Brown signed House Bill 3400 into law, which allows cities and counties to impose up to a 3 percent sales tax on marijuana. Jackson County Commissioner Doug Briedenthal said commissioners will now have to decide whether to put a 3 percent tax before county voters. "We would still have funding issues even with a 3 percent tax in place," he predicted. Breidenthal said many neighbors are already upset about noise, skunk-like odors, barking guard dogs, increased traffic, water use and security issues related to the recent proliferation of marijuana grows. County officials are researching potential regulations to deal with the issues. Breidenthal said urban areas such as Portland will likely see more indoor grows and an accompanying surge in electricity use that could drive up power rates. Jackson County is more likely to deal with conflicts over outdoor grows. Breidenthal said county voters' March approval of a local tax won't be for nothing. He said the committee in the Oregon Legislature that worked on HB 3400 hadn't intended to allow local communities to enact their own marijuana taxes. "We were able to argue that's what the voters wanted," Breidenthal said. Marijuana proponents have argued legalization will reduce law enforcement costs and could be an economic boon for the community. They point to the jobs and businesses created by the wine and craft beer industries. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 28, 2015 at 12:52 PM Updated Oct 28, 2015 at 5:09 PM » 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... 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