Oregon: Brownsville Considers Zoning For Marijuana Operations

Jacob Redmond

Well-Known Member
City councilors agreed Tuesday evening to examine the possibility of adding zoning restrictions for businesses that process or sell either recreational or medical marijuana.

The city currently has a moratorium banning medical marijuana dispensaries, but that will lift in late April. Oregon voters approved the use of recreational marijuana in November, effective July 1. But government officials estimate it may take about a year before licensing of those businesses occurs.

For nearly a year the council has tussled with Randy and Gayle Simpson, who want to operate a medical marijuana dispensary in a shop in Old Town.

Randy Simpson told the council they have given up on that project and have turned in their state license for that site.

They now want to move to the former Kirk's Ferry Salon on Highway 228, although Simpson said he believes medical marijuana and recreational marijuana operations should not operate out of the same building, "as clientele and rules are different for each."

Simpson said the past year has "been an emotional roller coaster" for the couple.

In a letter to the council, the Simpsons noted, "We still feel that our Old Town location is the best for a medical (marijuana) dispensary, and it will not impact Old Town in any negative way. The look of our old town building will not change."

Under the proposal, marijuana uses would be allowed in certain zones in the community, but as conditional uses, which means they would have to approved by the Planning Commission on an individual basis.

Marijuana processing and marijuana wholesaling could be conditionally permitted in light and heavy industrial zones. Marijuana retailing and medical marijuana facilities could be conditionally permitted in volume commercial and light industrial zones.

Operations could not be within 1,000 feet of a school, public library, park, playground or athletic field, or another marijuana use operation.

The council also agreed that the city continue its business registration program, which includes a clause that no business can operate in the city if it does not abide by local, state and federal laws. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.

The proposal will be sent to the Planning Commission for its Feb. 23 agenda and returned to the council for its Feb. 24 meeting.

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Full Article: Brownsville considers zoning for marijuana operations : Corvallis
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Website: Corvallis Gazette-Times
 
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