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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 One plant too many: Medical marijuana grower sentenced to jail ... Man pleads guilty in meth, heroin case ... Talent asphalt plant fined $35,000 ... One plant too many: Medical marijuana grower sentenced to jail ... Man pleads guilty in meth, heroin case ... Talent asphalt plant fined $35,000 ... OUR VIEW Our View: Medical marijuana market not at risk Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Medical marijuana supporters are up in arms over legislation that would set stricter limits on how many plants growers can produce for patients. The concern is overblown and premature. Lawmakers are wrestling with how best to implement legal recreational marijuana starting July 1 while preserving at least some semblance of the medical marijuana system that already exists. That's a tall order because the state is trying to create a working retail market for a substance that now is supposedly distributed at cost, with no profit allowed. The medical marijuana program as approved by voters was supposed to allow state-licensed growers to produce marijuana for patients, setting limits on how many plants could be grown per patient and how much usable (dried) marijuana those plants could yield. In practice, growers routinely wound up with more marijuana than they were supposed to have and more than their patients could use. Despite the best intentions of those who were genuinely trying to operate within the law, too much of that excess wound up being sold on the black market and exported to states where it commanded premium prices. Now, lawmakers are trying to figure out how to create a workable market for recreational marijuana that won't immediately be undercut by surplus medical marijuana sold for less. Realistically, that means limiting small-scale medical growers to fewer plants, and offering large-scale medical growers the opportunity to supply the state-regulated retail market with their excess production. None of this is designed to prevent legitimately sick patients from obtaining the medical marijuana they need to treat debilitating conditions, but that's how it's being portrayed by some activists who warn of a dark conspiracy to dismantle the medical system without public input. In fact, the amendments under consideration include a clause limiting the ability of local jurisdictions to ban medical dispensaries, and provide for medical growers to be reimbursed for their labor by patients. Despite claims to the contrary, lawmakers have heard from plenty of interested parties, and need to move on to figuring out the recreational market voters authorized last fall. State officials are concerned about what federal authorities may do if it appears the state is feeding the black market for a product that remains illegal in most states and under federal law. Everyone involved, from medical growers to those hoping to profit in the new recreational market, should welcome lawmakers' attempts to keep the feds at bay. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 30, 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501