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PUBLIC SMOKING ILLEGAL Pot smoke upsets some, but Ashland, Medford police say they've seen no big increase Marijuana smoke upsets some, but police say they've seen no big increase Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 16, 2015 at 5:26 PM Updated Sep 16, 2015 at 5:27 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 16, 2015 at 5:26 PM Updated Sep 16, 2015 at 5:27 PM It's legal, but not in public --> Under Ballot Measure 91, it's illegal to consume cannabis in public places. The language in the law reads: "SECTION 54. Use of marijuana in public place prohibited. (1) It is unlawful for any ... » Read more X It's legal, but not in public Under Ballot Measure 91, it's illegal to consume cannabis in public places. The language in the law reads: "SECTION 54. Use of marijuana in public place prohibited. (1) It is unlawful for any person to engage in the use of marijuana items in a public place." Elsewhere in the law, it defines a public place as "a place to which the general public has access and includes, but is not limited to, hallways, lobbies and other parts of apartment houses and hotels not constituting rooms or apartments designed for actual residence, and highways, streets, schools, places of amusement, parks, playgrounds and premises used in connection with public passenger transportation."   » Social News The sights and smells of people smoking marijuana in parks and other public places has aggravated some visitors to Ashland since cannabis became legal July 1, but police say they haven’t seen any significant increase in citations. “We’ve had people complain,” said Dylan Bloom, a server at Louie’s Restaurant and Bar in Ashland. “There’ve been people walking around puffing on a joint. I guess they’re flaunting the fact it’s legal.” The 23-year-old Ashland resident said he’s seen only a minor increase in outdoor pot smoking. He said older, retired customers from out of the area have been the most likely to complain, but noted that smoke from this summer's fires drew more complaints. A popular area to smoke pot appears to be along Ashland Creek, across the creek from Louie’s and numerous other restaurants with outdoor seating along Calle Guanajuato. While there are signs saying smoking is prohibited, it's not unusual to see a few tobacco smokers puffing in the shade, though it’s difficult to find someone smoking pot out in the open. Servers at Louie’s sometimes apologize after seating customers because of the smell of pot in the air. Visitors to downtown Ashland can often get a whiff of pot while walking the streets and there are reports of occasional attempts to sell small amounts to passers-by. Despite that, Ashland police Deputy Chief Warren Hensman said he hasn’t seen any significant increase in illegal pot smoking in the city's outdoor areas since July 1, although he conceded there does appear to be a relaxed attitude about it among some people. “I think there might be more open smoking in the Plaza and the downtown area,” he said. Hensman said pot smoking is nothing new for his officers to deal with, as they've observed people smoking in the park or other public places for years and have cited them. He hasn’t, however, seen any indication that there's been a bigger problem following legalization. “Looking at the monthly stats, nothing jumps out that indicates there have been a huge number,” he said. “I have clearly indicated to my guys to pay attention to smoking in public. Our park patrol will cite people for smoking cigarettes.” In Medford as in Ashland, all smoking is banned in parks, but Hawthorne and Alba parks still attract tobacco and cannabis users. While the tobacco bans are local measures, Oregon law prohibits the smoking of marijuana in any public place. Medford police Deputy Chief Brett Johnson said there has been such an availability of marijuana for so many years in Oregon that his officers have not seen any significant change since July 1. “I wouldn’t say we’ve seen a spike,” he said. “But it might not be done as openly as other areas.” If someone is smoking in public or in a park, police would issue a citation, he said. Simon Klevansky, a resident of Honolulu, Hawaii, who owns a house in Ashland, said he hasn’t really noticed much difference. “I don’t mind it,” he said. “I smell it in the parks in Honolulu.” His wife, Lorraine, said she’s seen a few people smoke pot in the park but hasn’t been bothered by it. The couple said they supported pot legalization. “I find the smell of cigarettes, pipes and cigars much more irritating,” he said. Dennis Christlieb with DC Woodworks agreed that he hasn’t noticed any difference in public consumption since pot became legal. Christlieb, who set up a booth near Calle Guanajuato across from Lithia Park, said he gave up tobacco a few years ago, so he’s particularly sensitive to pot and tobacco. “Both of them make me nauseated,” he said. He has noticed the odor of pot more on people’s clothes than in the air. “I guess people are a lot more open about it,” he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 16, 2015 at 5:26 PM Updated Sep 16, 2015 at 5:27 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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