Since You Asked: Neighbor has little recourse for marijuana smoke - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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2 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   Warrant issued in White City water-pollution case       ...       Medford police arrest purse snatching suspects       ...       Reports: UO Greek life features blackout drinking, assaults       ...       Warrant issued in White City water-pollution case       ...       Medford police arrest purse snatching suspects       ...       Reports: UO Greek life features blackout drinking, assaults       ...           SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Neighbor has little recourse for marijuana smoke Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 13, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 13, 2016 at 12:01 AM »  Social News Two of my four neighbors smoke marijuana on a daily basis, either outside their home or inside with their doors and windows open. As a result, when we try to enjoy our backyard, we are accosted by the extremely "skunky" odor, and if we open the windows (as one likes to do on a nice spring or mild fall day), our entire home fills with the odoriferous haze. (I don't believe the odor comes from marijuana plants, as I generally don't smell it in the morning or when I'm home for lunch, only in the evenings.) I have checked the city code but found nothing to indicate there is any recourse for such issues. Is there anything I'm missing? I'm not against marijuana usage by any means, but I don't feel it should ruin someone else's quality of life or enjoyment of their property. A former neighbor said the odor was a major reason they moved. — TR, Medford You have done your research well, TR, because there is nothing in the Medford Municipal Code that bans people from allowing their marijuana smoke to drift onto neighboring properties. "The code is all about production and growing, not smoking," said Medford police Cpl. Trevor Arnold. "I don't see anything in the code that says there's any consequence for marijuana smoke drifting onto neighboring property." Medford's code allows people to grow up to four marijuana plants per dwelling, as long as the smell stays on site. "No marijuana cultivator shall cause or allow an offensive odor of marijuana to emanate from a dwelling to any other property," the code says. Arnold said the issue of drifting marijuana smoke is similar to drifting cigarette smoke. Although there is no legal recourse under the city's code, Arnold advised neighbors who are being impacted by smoke to try and have a conversation with their smoking neighbors. "The best approach is going to them yourselves rather than calling the police," he said. "But that depends on the neighborhood and how well you know the neighbor. If someone has had an issue with that neighbor in the past or is not comfortable talking with them, we'd rather the police get called to try and ease tensions and come to a solution. There is probably not an easy solution. If the next-door neighbor is smoking marijuana or cigarettes, that smell is going to carry." — Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 13, 2016 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