Pubdate: Sun, 26 Jul 2015 Source: Mail Tribune, The (Medford, OR) Colulmn: From the Council Copyright: 2015 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: Daniel Bunn Note: Daniel Bunn is president of the Medford City Council. PUBLIC SHOULD GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL MARIJUANA DECISIONS At the July 16 council meeting, the Medford City Council formally initiated the legislative process to draft rules regulating commercial marijuana activity. At this time, I think it would be helpful to summarize the council's position thus far. When medical dispensaries were first allowed by the Oregon Legislature two years ago, Medford's initial position was to defend our home rule authority in the face of state preemption. This has led to a misconception that we are opposed to marijuana at all costs and for all reasons. This is incorrect. The city first advocates for the right to make decisions locally. Only after this authority is secured can the local debate turn to the merits of the issue. Medford has taken a similar approach on the Indian gaming question. Just as we have yet to discuss the merits of gambling, we are only now approaching the discussion on the local impacts of commercial marijuana activity. We are a republican form of government and have the authority to make decisions that bind the entire community, but it is inappropriate to exercise those powers before we have completed our well-established public process. Days before the close of the legislative session, the Legislature acknowledged that local regulation and control will be vital to marijuana implementation. We have stood fast to ensure that the debate over time, place and manner restrictions will occur in the proper forum, City Hall. Now that this has been secured, the council and the community as a whole have a duty to draft and debate reasonable regulations consistent with voter intent. Only then can we have an informed, honest discussion of the reasonable alternatives. The council has selected the land-use process as the vehicle to draft regulations. Oregon's land-use system is one of the hallmarks of the state, and is particularly well suited to respond to community concerns. Goal 1 of the land-use system is citizen involvement. For the process to function correctly, the volunteer planning commissioners and city councilors who will be crafting legislation must have significant and diverse input from the community. Too often, appointed and elected officials hear only from the extreme ends of the spectrum. I urge all citizens concerned about commercial marijuana activity, both for and against, to voice their concerns, share their ideas and participate in the legislative process. Hearings and public debate will take place before the Planning Commission and the City Council, and any citizen may appear before either body. Furthermore, the process encourages citizens who are uncomfortable or unable to appear in person to testify in writing. I assure you that the mayor, City Council members and planning commissioners take all constructive testimony, regardless of form, into consideration. As the community begins deliberations in earnest, there will surely be heated passions on both sides of the question. We cannot guarantee that you will get the results you desire, but we can guarantee that your voice will be heard and that we will do our utmost to craft legislation that has the city's best interest at heart. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom