Pubdate: Fri, 26 Feb 2016 Source: Mail Tribune, The (Medford, OR) Copyright: 2016 The Mail Tribune Contact: http://www.mailtribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/642 Note: Only prints LTEs from within it's circulation area, 200 word count limit Author: Vickie Aldous Medical Marijuana STATE BILL WOULD BAR MEDICAL POT GROWS IN RURAL RESIDENTIAL ZONES A bill pending in the Oregon Legislature would bar medical marijuana grows on land zoned for rural residential use - a change that would be welcomed by neighbors upset over nearby grows but decried by people already growing medical marijuana in those zones in Jackson County. A vote on Senate Bill 1598, which was in committee Thursday, could happen within the next several days as the Oregon Legislature pushes to wrap up this year's short session in early March. "It could be adopted this weekend or early next week," said Jackson County Development Services Manager Kelly Madding. Recreational marijuana grows already are banned on rural residential land by state law, said Madding, who briefed the Jackson County commissioners on the bill this week. The issue of growing on land meant for quiet country living has been debated fiercely in Jackson County. Commissioners have been moving toward requiring 75-foot buffers between medical marijuana grows and neighboring property on rural residential land. If the state ban on medical marijuana grows on rural residential land passes, the buffers would become irrelevant. During months of testimony, neighbors have complained about skunk-like odors from maturing marijuana plants, barking dogs, guns being fired, traffic and other problems associated with certain grows. But medical marijuana growers have said they provide a medicine needed by patients, and most growers behave responsibly. Commissioners met Thursday to continue work on Jackson County regulations for marijuana growing, processing and selling that would be in addition to state laws. They plan to continue discussions at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Jackson County Courthouse auditorium, 10 S. Oakdale Ave., Medford. Under draft regulations, marijuana could be grown on land zoned for exclusive farm use and forest use. It could be grown indoors in industrial districts if processing is also done on site. A handful of outside growers already operating in industrial districts could be grandfathered in and allowed to stay until March 2019, after which they would have to comply with rules requiring indoor grows be accompanied by processing facilities. Commissioner Doug Breidenthal said Thursday he doesn't want to see those existing outdoor growers put out of business without having time to transition, especially because the board hasn't received complaints about growing on industrial land. "It's something contributing to the economy," said Breidenthal, who joined with Commissioner Rick Dyer on a preliminary vote to allow outdoor growers to remain temporarily. Commissioner Colleen Roberts voted against making the special exception, saying the board should make a choice to either allow or ban outdoor grows on industrial land. Final county regulations could be adopted as early as March 16. The regulations would not apply to the four recreational marijuana plants or six medical marijuana plants state law allows people to grow for their own personal use. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom