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0 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 Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... LEGISLATURE Senate panel passes medical pot rules Previous joint committee had deadlocked Comment By Sheila V. Kumar The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Sheila V. Kumar The Associated Press Posted May. 18, 2015 at 8:54 PM By Sheila V. Kumar The Associated Press Posted May. 18, 2015 at 8:54 PM » Social News SALEM — An Oregon Senate special committee unanimously passed legislation on Monday imposing a variety of new restrictions on medical marijuana, a week after a joint committee overseeing the state's marijuana rules stalled on a similar measure. The Senate Special Committee on Implementing Measure 91 passed a proposal tightening regulations on the medical marijuana industry, such as limiting the number of plants growers can have, building an inventory tracking system for growers, processors and dispensaries, inspection requirements and an Oregon residency requirement. Lawmakers say the lengthy set of new restrictions is necessary so the recreational program can pass muster with federal authorities. The move comes a week after an Oregon House-Senate committee in charge of implementing the state's new marijuana rules reached an impasse on a bill aimed at stemming the flow of pot to the black market. Committee members agreed on most issues except for one: the question of whether local governments could ban medical marijuana dispensaries or other pot facilities within their jurisdictions. Senate lawmakers on the joint committee wanted local governments to have the power to ban the dispensaries while still giving citizens the ability to gather signatures and put the issue to a ballot if they opposed the ban. But three House members on the committee opposed local governments being able to "opt out" of medical marijuana facilities, saying people who use marijuana for medical purposes need to have access to their treatments. The joint committee deadlocked on the issue, causing Senate President Peter Courtney to name the five senators who sat on the committee to a Senate-only special committee last week. Marijuana advocates said creation of the new panel was an extraordinary move in order to bypass House members' objections. "That's problematic for the Measure 91 campaign, because under Measure 91 cities and counties can only ban state regulated marijuana facilities, marijuana businesses, with a vote of the people. And so now we have a conflict between medical marijuana and what's going to be legal under Measure 91," said Anthony Johnson, chief petitioner of Measure 91, the voter-approved initiative legalizing marijuana. The bill passed the committee on a 5-0 vote. It now heads to the Senate floor. By Sheila V. Kumar The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Sheila V. Kumar The Associated Press Posted May. 18, 2015 at 8:54 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... 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