Robert Celt
New Member
Deschutes County's decision to delay marijuana regulations came as a surprise to many itching to get started in the fledgling recreational industry.
Many who are already involved in growing and selling medical marijuana in Central Oregon were planning to gain licensing for recreational operations.
County commissioners chose Dec. 21 to use an "opt out" option, which blocks potential recreational marijuana businesses in unincorporated areas of the county from obtaining a license through the state. County officials intend to revisit proposed regulations in early spring and are using the ban to spend more time on them.
Some county residents, primarily in Tumalo, urged county officials to ban marijuana businesses, fearing the proliferation of growing operations.
The local marijuana industry is now hoping to work with residents through a county-proposed citizens committee to ease concerns.
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission will begin accepting license applications Monday for recreational marijuana growers, retail shops, testing laboratories, processors and wholesalers.
Andrew Anderson, who owns dispensaries in Prineville and Madras with his wife, Jocelyn, said the decision by county commissioners was a shock.
"Some have invested millions and are ready to go," said Andrew Anderson. "We wanted to make sure everything was going to work out, and we're still optimistic that it will."
The Andersons grow medical marijuana for medical use on their farm in Alfalfa. They hope to grow pot for recreational use with OLCC licensing.
Anderson said local growers and dispensary owners were in favor of county regulations.
"While it burdens us financially, it also legitimizes our industry because we're trying to be good business owners," he said.
County commissioners can repeal the ban on licenses at any time. The decision at their Dec. 21 meeting puts the ban onto the November election ballot for voter consideration. But none of the commissioners was actually in favor of leaving it on the ballot for voters to decide.
Commissioner Tammy Baney expressed concern at the meeting about the Oregon Farm Bureau possibly mounting a legal challenge to the proposed regulations. The rules drafted by the county suggested restricting odor, lighting and other possible nuisances that are potentially protected by Oregon's right to farm law.
Medical vs. recreational
Aviv Hadar, co-owner of the Oregrown dispensary in Bend, said the decision to delay regulations left many marijuana business owners "scratching their heads and unsettled." He worries the county ban will prop up the selling of marijuana through the black market.
Recreational marijuana licensing is much more strict than medical marijuana growing, he said. The medical production and distribution are overseen by the Oregon Health Authority.
Hadar has 84 acres in Tumalo where he grows medical marijuana and hopes to produce recreational marijuana.
"We've essentially had to pause," he said, about the move toward recreational.
The county decision has a ripple effect through the economy, Hadar said. He has hired contractors to set up equipment for his future farming operation , which he is now scaling back.
"It comes down to land use," he said. "Where do we want this stuff?"
Hadar said he's confident the exclusive farm use zone will be agreed upon as the best place for production.
"It's really about being a good neighbor," said Andrew Anderson. "We want people to respect us and realize that we work really hard. We're trying to do things right."
The OLCC could be flooded with applications Monday. But Hadar said he believes the applications will trickle in and not be a flood of paperwork.
Anderson, however, worries local growers might fall behind in the tracking system requirements being imposed on recreational growers. The OLCC is requiring growers take a class to learn how to mark and track their product. The state agency wants a seed-to-sale monitoring system.
"We're very concerned about that," Anderson said. "They have a training class. You can't take the class without a pending application. They haven't said how often they're going to do those classes. We might have to wait if we can't get it done sooner."
The Oregon Cannabis Association rallied support in Deschutes County for local regulations. A petition asking the county to support licensed marijuana farming and other businesses has now been signed by 250 people, according to Karynn Fish, a spokesperson for the association.
County officials plan to discuss the formation of a citizens committee later this month. The group would likely consist of marijuana business owners, residents concerned about land use impacts and county officials.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Oregon: Deschutes County Ban On Marijuana A Surprise To Some
Author: Ted Shorack
Photo Credit: Ryan Brennecke
Website: The Bulletin
Many who are already involved in growing and selling medical marijuana in Central Oregon were planning to gain licensing for recreational operations.
County commissioners chose Dec. 21 to use an "opt out" option, which blocks potential recreational marijuana businesses in unincorporated areas of the county from obtaining a license through the state. County officials intend to revisit proposed regulations in early spring and are using the ban to spend more time on them.
Some county residents, primarily in Tumalo, urged county officials to ban marijuana businesses, fearing the proliferation of growing operations.
The local marijuana industry is now hoping to work with residents through a county-proposed citizens committee to ease concerns.
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission will begin accepting license applications Monday for recreational marijuana growers, retail shops, testing laboratories, processors and wholesalers.
Andrew Anderson, who owns dispensaries in Prineville and Madras with his wife, Jocelyn, said the decision by county commissioners was a shock.
"Some have invested millions and are ready to go," said Andrew Anderson. "We wanted to make sure everything was going to work out, and we're still optimistic that it will."
The Andersons grow medical marijuana for medical use on their farm in Alfalfa. They hope to grow pot for recreational use with OLCC licensing.
Anderson said local growers and dispensary owners were in favor of county regulations.
"While it burdens us financially, it also legitimizes our industry because we're trying to be good business owners," he said.
County commissioners can repeal the ban on licenses at any time. The decision at their Dec. 21 meeting puts the ban onto the November election ballot for voter consideration. But none of the commissioners was actually in favor of leaving it on the ballot for voters to decide.
Commissioner Tammy Baney expressed concern at the meeting about the Oregon Farm Bureau possibly mounting a legal challenge to the proposed regulations. The rules drafted by the county suggested restricting odor, lighting and other possible nuisances that are potentially protected by Oregon's right to farm law.
Medical vs. recreational
Aviv Hadar, co-owner of the Oregrown dispensary in Bend, said the decision to delay regulations left many marijuana business owners "scratching their heads and unsettled." He worries the county ban will prop up the selling of marijuana through the black market.
Recreational marijuana licensing is much more strict than medical marijuana growing, he said. The medical production and distribution are overseen by the Oregon Health Authority.
Hadar has 84 acres in Tumalo where he grows medical marijuana and hopes to produce recreational marijuana.
"We've essentially had to pause," he said, about the move toward recreational.
The county decision has a ripple effect through the economy, Hadar said. He has hired contractors to set up equipment for his future farming operation , which he is now scaling back.
"It comes down to land use," he said. "Where do we want this stuff?"
Hadar said he's confident the exclusive farm use zone will be agreed upon as the best place for production.
"It's really about being a good neighbor," said Andrew Anderson. "We want people to respect us and realize that we work really hard. We're trying to do things right."
The OLCC could be flooded with applications Monday. But Hadar said he believes the applications will trickle in and not be a flood of paperwork.
Anderson, however, worries local growers might fall behind in the tracking system requirements being imposed on recreational growers. The OLCC is requiring growers take a class to learn how to mark and track their product. The state agency wants a seed-to-sale monitoring system.
"We're very concerned about that," Anderson said. "They have a training class. You can't take the class without a pending application. They haven't said how often they're going to do those classes. We might have to wait if we can't get it done sooner."
The Oregon Cannabis Association rallied support in Deschutes County for local regulations. A petition asking the county to support licensed marijuana farming and other businesses has now been signed by 250 people, according to Karynn Fish, a spokesperson for the association.
County officials plan to discuss the formation of a citizens committee later this month. The group would likely consist of marijuana business owners, residents concerned about land use impacts and county officials.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Oregon: Deschutes County Ban On Marijuana A Surprise To Some
Author: Ted Shorack
Photo Credit: Ryan Brennecke
Website: The Bulletin
