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By Damian Mann Mail Tribune October 30. 2014 5:50PM Medford council taxes pot at every step The Medford City Council on Thursday approved taxes on the production and sale of recreational cannabis, but some councilors said the ordinance was too heavy-handed. "I think we've gone too far," Councilor Dick Gordon said. "I hope we scale back what's in the ordinance." From cultivation to sale, recreational pot should be taxed at every step of the supply chain, the councilors decided in the second reading of the ordinance. The council voted 5-2 for taxes on pot if Ballot Measure 91 passes on Nov. 4. The measure would make the drug legal for those 21 or older.  Councilors Bob Strosser and Timothy Jackle voted against the ordinance. The city ordinance would have a separate 8 percent tax on the production, processing and wholesaling of recreational pot. It would also tax retailers 6 percent. A separate tax on medical marijuana was dropped by the council because the city currently has a permanent moratorium on dispensaries. A moratorium could create a legal conflict with having a tax on the books for medical marijuana. The city also took the step of putting a pot tax on the books in case the federal government reclassifies marijuana, which it still considers in the same category as heroin. When the council first considered a tax on pot, polls showed support for Ballot Measure 91. However, more recent polls show statewide support has softened. Some cities hope the Legislature will change the measure to allow local taxes and create greater restrictions on the sale and cultivation of pot. Measure 91 already taxes marijuana at the state level, but language in the measure specifically prohibits cities from imposing their own taxes. Many local cities, including Ashland, Central Point and Gold Hill, have placed taxes on marijuana, hoping the courts or the Legislature allows them that ability. The measure has set a statewide tax rate of $35 an ounce, which supporters say would keep the price low enough to keep it out of the black market. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow on Twitter at @reporterdm. http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141030/NEWS/141039954 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->