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CENTRAL POINT Pot may be legal, but Central Point says grows must be kept indoors Comment By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 1, 2015 at 9:38 AM Updated Jul 1, 2015 at 2:53 PM By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 1, 2015 at 9:38 AM Updated Jul 1, 2015 at 2:53 PM » Social News Recreational marijuana is legal in Oregon, but if you're planning to grow your four allowed plants in Central Point, you'll have to do it indoors. The city passed an ordinance in May requiring both medical and recreational cannabis to be grown inside a building. Greenhouses and tarps aren't good enough, according to the ordinance. Community Development Director Tom Humphrey said the new law is designed to address strong odors during harvest time, reduce unsightly marijuana gardens and minimize the chance of criminal activity. "The ordinance says you can grow it, just grow it indoors," Humphrey said. City police will make allowances for medicinal grows already being tended outdoors prior to passage of the ordinance, but after this growing season, they'll have to be moved indoors. "Effective (today), if our police officers observe, or a neighbor calls in a complaint, about a visual activity or an odor, then an officer will show up and ask for a (Oregon Medical Marijuana Program) card," Humphrey said. "If they have a card and are licensed to grow, no problem. If they don't have a card and they're growing pot, then the plants can be confiscated." Ray Mathers and Sean Pugh, sitting outside Bobbio's Pizza Monday, were unaware of the new ordinance but voiced concern about the added hassle growers could face. Mathers, who moved to Central Point last year, said he was unsure whether he would grow any marijuana under the new state law but said the option to do so "is within my rights as an Oregonian." "It kind of just feels like saying to grow it inside is a way for them to protest what voters said they wanted," Mathers said. "I mean, the voters passed it for it to be legal, and now the city is trying to make it where people have to have expensive equipment and lights and stuff to be able to do it." Pugh, who lives between Medford and Phoenix, said he understood the city's decision to pass the ordinance. "State law says, 'Yeah, it's legal.' It doesn't say it's legal if you can afford fancy lights to grow inside and if you have space inside your home for a garden," he said. "But I can see where the city is coming from. All the cities seem like they're trying to just keep everyone happy — people who want their weed and people who don't want to see it." Central Point Police Chief Kris Allison said she felt the ordinance offered the "best of both worlds" in terms of respecting the rights of all residents. "We are a very progressive city, and I think this is a very good ordinance that allows for the needs of both people who want to grow and the people who are concerned about the noxious odors and aesthetics of it," she said, noting that the city receives "probably 10 to 15 complaints" each year during harvest time. "It's a good way to meet everyone's needs, and I think it's an excellent tool for the police department." Humphrey said city officials were expecting the current season to be a transition of sorts with so many medicinal growers already using outdoor spaces. "Our intent is not to obstruct anyone's rights, but we did create an ordinance that is intended to respect both the property of those who are growing and those who are not. If you have a medical marijuana card and are authorized to grow and already have plants in the ground, finish out the season but be prepared to take it inside," he said, noting that the city nuisance law, allowing for fines of up to $250 per day, would be used to address violators. "We're just trying to be proactive without being prohibitive." Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. Email her at [email protected]. By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 1, 2015 at 9:38 AM Updated Jul 1, 2015 at 2:53 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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