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2 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 Guest Opinion: Pacific Power joins American Business Act on Climate Pledge ... From the Council: Medford has much to do to prepare for The Really Big One ... Central Oregon fire prompts resort, neighborhood to evacuate ... Guest Opinion: Pacific Power joins American Business Act on Climate Pledge ... From the Council: Medford has much to do to prepare for The Really Big One ... Central Oregon fire prompts resort, neighborhood to evacuate ... Growing number of Oregon cities, counties banning marijuana Comment By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Aug. 12, 2015 at 6:58 PM By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Aug. 12, 2015 at 6:58 PM » Social News SALEM — At least a dozen Oregon cities and counties have taken steps to ban marijuana businesses from their boundaries as the state prepares to begin retail sales in October. Four counties and eight cities have informed the Oregon Liquor Control Commission that they plan to ban marijuana producers, processors, wholesalers and retailers. In some jurisdictions, the ban must go before voters. Oregon lawmakers gave local governments the ability to keep out marijuana businesses, which were authorized by voters under last year's Measure 91. In counties where at least 60 percent of voters opposed the measure, local governments can ban the marijuana businesses outright; elsewhere, a ban is temporary until voters weigh in. Even in jurisdictions that opt out, adults can still grow and use marijuana subject to the same limits that apply in the rest of the state. But if they want to buy the drug from a retail store, they'll have to travel to somewhere that allows them. The strongest opposition so far has come from far-eastern Oregon, where Malheur County and three of its five incorporated cities have adopted bans. "I think some of our problem here really is our proximity to Idaho, where it's totally illegal," said Larry Wilson, a Malheur County commissioner. "We even had testimony from police agencies on the other side of the river asking us to please opt out, or restrict it as much as we can, because that's a problem with people going back and forth across the river." Elsewhere, Douglas County opted out of allowing marijuana businesses, but its largest city, Roseburg, voted to allow existing medical marijuana dispensaries to sell pot to recreational users. The cities that have notified the Oregon Liquor Control Commission that they're opting out are: Ontario, Vale, Nyssa, Brownsville, Sandy, Island City, Sutherlin and Junction City. The counties are Douglas, Umatilla, Harney and Malheur. Other city councils or county commissions may have voted to ban pot businesses but haven't formally notified the commission. State law gives local governments until Dec. 27 to adopt a ban, said Mark Pettinger, a spokesman for the commission. Marijuana possession and use became legal on July 1, but the state won't be ready to begin regulated sales until next year. As a temporary stop-gap, medical dispensaries are allowed to begin selling the drug in some forms on Oct. 1. By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Aug. 12, 2015 at 6:58 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