Ashland may restrict outdoor pot growing - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2015-02-22

Document text

3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Stepmother of missing boy Kyron Horman leaves Eugene job Medford Parks seeks umpires to step up to the plate Grace to assume school governance Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life Emergency services, Feb. 21 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life Emergency services, Feb. 21 Two-house fire caused by towel left on stove Man charged with trying to lure children Two houses burning in east Medford Politics and Elections Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Education Grace to assume school governance AHS principal up for national award Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines A question of punishment Logos to receive a slice of Wes Howard Memorial Sports Park Environment Made in the Shade Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Coho salmon road trip Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow Company fined for illegally dumping asbestos in White City State News Brown says she'll preserve Oregon death penalty moratorium Tentative deal reached in West Coast port labor dispute State Senate votes to dissolve Cover Oregon Psychic gets 8 years for con of timber heir Economists project 'kicker' rebates Nation - World Obituaries Evon "Bud" Pennington Charles H. Hackett Death Notices Robert Harvey Miller Leo Allen Zupan Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Surging Cavs rip Wizards Hot-shooting Knights knock off Raiders Local swimmers land spots in state finals North second entering SWC semifinals North slides by Sheldon Varsity 541 College Sports Hot-shooting Knights knock off Raiders Weisner keys OSU win over Colorado Utah hands OSU first home loss Beavers knock off No. 19 Cowboys Raiders to face No. 16 Knights, No. 11 Cavs Pro Sports Surging Cavs rip Wizards Trail Blazers stymied by Jazz's defense Goosen takes rare lead into the weekend Westbrook leads Thunder past Mavs Singler goes to Thunder in deadline deal Community Sports Business Latest Stories Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Learn about Oregon's local crowdfunding options Blog: Random Acts of Kindness Dockworkers dispute hits home Medford pharmacy sees steady growth Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul People In Business People in Business Transportation Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Matthew T. Mangino: Crime, intrigue and politics in Pennsylvania Voter bill secures a fundamental right Feb. 20: Letters to the editor 'Big' government is not so big after all Antionette Kerr: Let’s honor Anthony and the rights of all women Editorials Voter bill secures a fundamental right Our view: Will Brown reach out to rural Oregon? Our view: Expulsions hurt students, district, community Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles Our View: A sad end to a historic career Letters to the Editor Feb. 20: Letters to the editor Feb. 19: Letters to the editor Letters to the editor, Feb. 18 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 17 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 16 Columns 'Big' government is not so big after all Kent Bush: Mars One is more reality television than rocket launch Male staffers take lead in Clinton run Congress rightly should engage in war debate Islamic State's atrocities demand ... what? Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Lifestyle Latest stories 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional Anniversary: Hofer Trail to Charismatic Conifers The Rocks Speak: Earth's old wrinkles Dr. Murray Feingold: Does a sedentary lifestyle make you prone to disease? Food Tammy Kelly: Comfort food makes cold weather better Community blog: Citrus fruits shine in foods fresh and preserved Season Stepp: Cooking Chinese food should not intimidate you Page H. Onorato: Food items help define the South There's a whole universe of chili outside Texas Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune How to install energy-efficient windows the right way Dear Monty: Nine downsizing tips for seniors Carol Link: Prime time for pruning blueberries approaches Home Help: DIY home upkeep projects for every season Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Does a sedentary lifestyle make you prone to disease? Dr. Jeff Hersh: Breathe easy - all about lung function Health Watch: Health improvements you can make today that will pay off for a lifetime Runners’ Corner: Helpful winter running hints Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Milestones and Achievements Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Live Music in Local Clubs OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Third Fridays showcases local artists The music that made Paris famous Theater 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' Music Professor Gall plays Oberon's Tavern Live Music in Local Clubs The music that made Paris famous Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Community Events Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Dining Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW   Stepmother of missing boy Kyron Horman leaves Eugene job       ...       Get Up & Go: Saturday, Feb. 21       ...       Since You Asked: Natural gas pipeline along I-5 built in 1963       ...       Stepmother of missing boy Kyron Horman leaves Eugene job       ...       Get Up & Go: Saturday, Feb. 21       ...       Since You Asked: Natural gas pipeline along I-5 built in 1963       ...           Ashland may restrict outdoor pot growing Comment By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 18, 2015 @ 3:37 pm Updated Feb 18, 2015 at 4:12 PM By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 18, 2015 @ 3:37 pm Updated Feb 18, 2015 at 4:12 PM »  Social News ASHLAND — With the legalization of marijuana less than five months away, city officials are considering an ordinance that would restrict the outdoor growing of pot in residential areas. Under Ballot Measure 91, which takes effect July 1, adults 21 and older will be allowed to possess up to 8 ounces of marijuana and up to four plants. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission will start licensing for commercial sales Jan. 1, 2016. Ashland City Administrator Dave Kanner told Ashland City Council Tuesday he's worried the new law could cause an increase in offensive odors and other quality-of-life issues, a problem city officials already have encountered with medical marijuana. "Last fall, we responded to about a half dozen odor complaints all over town — people were growing marijuana outdoors," Kanner said. He pointed to Arcata, Calif., as an example of a city that successfully has adapted its civil code to rein in commercial growing. "They regulate not just outdoor growing but indoor growing as well," he said. Arcata adopted the ordinances after it experienced a massive boom in the number of grow operations following California voters' approval of medical marijuana in 1996. "There were 625 houses in which nobody was living," Kanner said. "They were being used solely for growing marijuana." Kanner said that Ashland's ordinances may not need to be as restrictive as Arcata's. The new law already requires plants possessed for personal use to be screened from public view, Kanner said. He suggested the new ordinance could prevent a rash of unoccupied grow houses by requiring plants possessed for personal use to be kept in that person's physical residence and require a minimum distance from other residences to minimize offensive odors from flowering plants. Councilor Greg Lemhouse suggested that time-place restrictions could include prohibitions on indoor growing near schools. "I wonder if it's even appropriate in certain areas of town," he said. The council gave city staff direction to pursue the drafting of a new ordinance. Kanner said he'd also like to explore changes to the city's electrical infrastructure in hopes of capturing revenue from commercial growers who may be drawn to the city by its low electrical rates.  "This is something that's coming, and it's coming very soon," he said. Reach reporter Thomas Moriarty at 541-776-4471 or [email protected] . Follow him at @ThomasDMoriarty . By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 18, 2015 @ 3:37 pm Updated Feb 18, 2015 at 4:12 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. 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 Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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