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MARIJUANA STORES No-drama dispensaries Medical marijuana outlets pose no problems where they've been allowed By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 10, 2015 @ 5:07 pm Updated Aug 10, 2015 at 6:00 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 10, 2015 @ 5:07 pm Updated Aug 10, 2015 at 6:00 PM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Medford has steadfastly opposed marijuana stores, but other Southern Oregon cities with a more welcoming approach have seen almost no problems and few conflicts with neighboring businesses. Neither law enforcement agencies nor neighboring property owners report an increase in problems since medical marijuana dispensaries cleared state and local regulations and began opening last year. “We’ve had zero calls from June to the present,” said Ashland police Deputy Chief Warren Hensman. He said the three dispensaries in town appear to be operating in a manner that doesn’t conflict with the surrounding neighborhood, and the owners are closely following the laws. Gold Hill and Ashland had the first dispensaries approved by local city leaders. Breeze Botanicals was the only dispensary operating legally in the county for a while after it opened in Gold Hill last June. It recently started another store in Ashland. “Actually, they’ve been great neighbors,” said Teri Tipton, office manager of Today’s Dentistry on Siskiyou Boulevard next to Breeze Botanicals. She said that when the store first opened there was an issue with odors, but that was quickly resolved. Pete Emori, owner of Garrison’s Mattress Gallery next to Breeze, said, “There have been no issues. People are in and out real quick.” Emori agreed the odor problem was resolved quickly, and a pot giveaway held July 1 to celebrate the legalization of marijuana went off well. In Medford, two dispensaries have attempted to operate — MaryJane’s Basement and Patients Helping Patients — but city officials have shut them down. At the same time, Medford officials are working on an ordinance that might allow medical and recreational marijuana stores within city limits. Medford City Council passed a permanent ban on pot stores, citing federal law that still classifies marijuana in the same category as heroin. Most cities in Jackson County have allowed dispensaries, with seven operating from Phoenix to Ashland. About a mile away from Breeze Botanicals, Siskiyou Medical Supply also dispenses medical marijuana. “We’ve had no issues,” said Sandy Schorovosky, an agent with Brian Conrad, State Farm Insurance. Schorovosky said that when the dispensary first opened, she dealt with a minor issue involving dispensary customers who parked in her lot. “Mike (Welch, owner of the dispensary) has done an excellent job educating clients,” he said. Medford Deputy Police Chief Brett Johnson, who oversees Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement, said his investigators haven’t seen any issues with pot dispensaries. “We’re not seeing any kind of spikes on that,” he said. Capt. Nate Sickler of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, which patrols Gold Hill, said he hasn’t noticed any increase in calls for service around the Breeze Botanicals store there. “There is not a glaring issue,” he said. Business owners in Gold Hill generally have no complaints about the dispensary and its owner, Brie Malarkey. “She seems to be running a pretty tight ship,” said Alex Frum, owner of Gold Hill Pharmacy. “I’ve not heard of any incidents.” Frum said he thought the dispensary was helpful to the city because it raised extra taxes. Welch said he purposely tries to maintain a low-key approach to his business, which blends in with the surrounding stores. “A couple of people were shocked. They couldn’t believe there’s a dispensary here,” he said. Welch is gearing up for the sale of recreational pot Oct. 1, but he thinks that with more than 300 dispensaries in the state, a lot of them will probably go out of business. “There’s no way we’re all going to last,” he said. The rules about marijuana have been constantly changing, but Welch said any business owner should be able to understand what’s legal and what’s not. “It’s not like it’s really difficult to follow the rules,” he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/reporterdm. By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 10, 2015 @ 5:07 pm Updated Aug 10, 2015 at 6:00 PM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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 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. 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