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Council delays vote on pot ballot measures Medford plans to ask voters whether they want pot stores in the city, and whether to tax it at 3 percent Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Mar. 3, 2016 at 4:52 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Mar. 3, 2016 at 4:52 PM » Social News Medford City Council delayed voting Thursday on a ballot measure seeking to ban recreational sales of cannabis until it can make it clearer that the city doesn’t want to also ban medical marijuana. For similar reasons, the council also delayed approval of a ballot explanation for a 3-percent retail marijuana tax that would apply only to recreational sales. “People need to know that we’re not talking about medical marijuana,” Councilor Dick Gordon said. Both ballot measures will be on the November election. Last year, the council approved allowing medical marijuana dispensaries in the city, but it won't allow sales of recreational marijuana unless voters decide in November they want it. Gordon said the average person who reads the proposed ballot title might think the city is attempting to ban all sales of marijuana in the city. He said he had a difficult time understanding some of the language in the ballot summary. Kevin McConnell, deputy city attorney, said he has to be careful not to stray too far from Oregon law in coming up with language concerning marijuana retailers, otherwise the ballot measures could be subject to appeal. Oregon voters approved Ballot Measure 91 in November 2014, which legalized marijuana for anyone 21 or older. The Legislature has since created other rules and regulations surrounding the legalization of cannabis. In November 2014, almost 50 percent of Medford voters approved Ballot Measure 91, which allowed for the personal cultivation of up to four marijuana plants. Councilor Kevin Stine said he thought the proposed ballot measure language could be confusing, because a “yes” vote would support the recreational ban. The proposed ballot question states: “Shall the city of Medford prohibit the establishment of marijuana retailers in the city?” Stine wanted the question rephrased so that a “yes” vote would permit marijuana retailers in the city while a “no” vote would ban them from the city. “I don’t want to fool anyone,” Stine said. “I don’t want it to be ambiguous.” Other councilors supported Stine’s idea, and the ballot measure language will be rewritten over the next two weeks. Councilor Clay Bearnson, who said he has a possible conflict of interest because he wants to open a dispensary, urged the council to at least designate where the proceeds from a pot tax will be spent. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Mar. 3, 2016 at 4:52 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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