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MARIJUANA DEBATE Klamath County extends dispensary moratorium One year added to delay medical marijuana shops Comment By Klamath Falls Herald & News MailTribune.com By Klamath Falls Herald & News Posted Jun. 10, 2015 at 12:24 PM Updated Jun 10, 2015 at 4:23 PM By Klamath Falls Herald & News Posted Jun. 10, 2015 at 12:24 PM Updated Jun 10, 2015 at 4:23 PM » Social News Klamath County commissioners made the final moves to officially extend their moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries for another year. “I think it’s prudent right now to wait,” said Commissioner Jim Bellet. “It’s something we can rescind or change at any time. It’s not chiseled into the rock.” Commissioners initially put a one-year moratorium on medical dispensaries in the county's rural areas from May 2014 to May 2015. In April they decided to extend it for another year to May 2016. Commissioners took public comment in April, at the end of which they decided by a 2-1 vote to extend the moratorium for another year. Then commissioners Bellet and Kelley Minty Morris voted in favor of the moratorium. Commission Chairman Tom Mallams voted against because he wanted a three-year moratorium. All three commissioners voted in favor Tuesday after a second public hearing. Mallams agreed with Bellet’s comment about it being prudent to wait. Bellet wants to see what the Oregon Legislature decides before the county allows medical marijuana dispensaries. “I still think we need to have a moratorium for a short period of time,” Bellet said. “I’d like to see what comes out of the state. I do not want to start changing our codes … until I know exactly what the state wants to do.” Minty Morris said the county’s building department has already begun looking into possible code changes that would be needed to allow dispensaries. The commissioners took public comment before their vote Tuesday. One man suggested tax revenue from marijuana could help fund the sheriff’s department. “If I was convinced that this was going to be an opportunity to generate a lot of revenue we could use for public safety, I might be more inclined to be in a hurry to get this done,” Minty Morris said. “I have been told not only would we not see enough funding to fund our jail, we probably would hardly see enough to support one deputy.” Those who commented during Tuesday’s public hearing spoke against the moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries. Michael Lamb, a cancer survivor fighting his second bout with lymphoma, said though he’s never used medical marijuana it could have saved his life. Cancer treatments caused him to lose 50 pounds and he almost died from lack of eating, he said. “From someone who has never used marijuana, you need to allow medical marijuana,” he said. "Let’s emphasize the word ‘medical’ marijuana. You have a moratorium right now. You’ve had a year to figure things out. If you want another moratorium you’re just saying no, you don’t like marijuana.” Klamath Falls lawyer Phil Studenberg said he may soon be representing voters who oppose the legality of the moratorium. “As a citizen I would urge you to not pass the moratorium,” he added. “The reality is it’s here. I suggest to you it’s much better to regulate time, place and circumstance. And accept the reality of what the people of Oregon and the people of the United States (want). It is a wave that’s coming. You can either try to fight it off or try to make it palatable for the entire county.” “We’re missing the boat here by not recognizing the reality that is readily apparent: marijuana is here to stay,” said David MacIvor, who uses medical marijuana. “It’s time to get in the boat and be proactive rather than taking a negative ‘we’re not going to do it, everybody else can do what they want.’” He had one more message for everyone: “I think everybody ought to smoke at least one joint in their life,” MacIver said, “so they know what the hell they’re talking about.” By Klamath Falls Herald & News MailTribune.com By Klamath Falls Herald & News Posted Jun. 10, 2015 at 12:24 PM Updated Jun 10, 2015 at 4:23 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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