Document text
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 Guest Opinion: Rural Oregon, sacrifice zone for proposed LNG export projects? ... Coos County ballot measure seeks to nullify gun background checks ... Medford police chief announces retirement ... Guest Opinion: Rural Oregon, sacrifice zone for proposed LNG export projects? ... Coos County ballot measure seeks to nullify gun background checks ... Medford police chief announces retirement ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Can I grow hemp for a noise buffer? Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 21, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Oct. 21, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News I live outside the city limits of Medford on a noisy street and was wondering if I would need any kind of permit to plant about 10 hemp plants just as a noise buffer. They would not be intended for any agricultural purposes. — Caryl, rural Medford Our first question, Caryl, is why would you want to use hemp as a noise buffer? The hemp plants will die off in the winter months, so you might be better off picking an evergreen shrub that would probably be denser and better able to act as a buffer. But, we’ll play along with your question, Caryl, because it is intriguing. First off, if you’re trying to grow cannabis, you’re limited to four plants for recreational and six plants for medical marijuana. Hemp is a different animal entirely and is subject to many more rules and regulations. “That’s where it gets dicey,” Medford police Lt. Kevin Walruff said. He said hemp growers are required to get a license from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. They are also subject to a license from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, but all the details of getting that license are still being worked out. Given the lack of clarity about hemp-growing policy, the state Ag Department announced Aug. 24 that is was ceasing issuing any more licenses until it receives more clarification from the Legislature. You also could run into opposition from any neighbor who has a private pot garden, because hemp can cross-pollinate with marijuana and greatly reduce the potency of the pot plant. Might we suggest a laurel hedge instead, Caryl? 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 Oct. 21, 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 2015 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