Prineville to host ‘Marijuana Summit’ on M. 91

The city of Prineville has invited all Central Oregon county and city officials to a Marijuana Summit next Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon at Prineville’s City Hall.

The summit’s goal is to give personnel an opportunity to review and discuss state Measure 91, also known as Oregon’s Control, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana and Industrial Hemp Act.

The Act removes penalties for adults 21 and older who possess, use, and grow a limited amount of marijuana for recreational use. It does not amend or affect the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act. It also directs the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to establish, regulate, and license marijuana businesses.

Phil Stenbeck, planning director with the city of Prineville, said he understands how intertwined Central Oregon communities have become. He believes the timing is good to share information about Measure 91 before July 1 st , when the measure takes effect.

“We plan to go through Measure 91, hear what surrounding communities understand about it, and share plans about such things as land use codes. I hope this gives officials a chance to really get up to speed before moving ahead with Town Hall meetings in their communities,” Stenbeck said.

Last summer, based on House Bill 3460, the Prineville City Council passed a one-year moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries which ends on May 1 st . Other Oregon cities did the same.

Over the past year, the Prineville Planning Commission, in coordination with the City Council, has been researching and discussing regulations concerning dispensaries.

Measure 91, making the recreational use of marijuana legal, goes into effect in Oregon on July 1 st .

Stenbeck said he believes that, by putting many professionals together in one room, everyone will return to their communities with a clearer understanding of how to proceed with the looming legality of marijuana.

“The timing is very good, and it will be very interesting to see what communities are planning to do. I believe we will learn a lot from each other,” Stenbeck said.

Additional information about the Marijuana Summit can be obtained directly from Phil Stenbeck, at (541) 447-8338 direct pstenbeck@cityofprineville.com