Deschutes officials detail recreational marijuana proposal

Deschutes County officials are getting plenty of reaction to a proposal to allow the growing of recreational marijuana, in addition to medical marijuana.

Many residents in rural Deschutes County say this proposal would increase the number of marijuana growers tremendously, leaving residents concerned who their neighbors could be next year.

“Commercial marijuana in any form should not be allowed in our rural residential communities,” one resident said at Thursday night’s hearing.

It was a heated exchange of words as many residents came to voice their concerns on allowing recreation marijuana grow operations in the county.

Officials presented a plan to the county’s planning commission, which consider a recommendation to county commissioners.

The proposal would regulate production, processing and retail sale of recreational marijuana next year.

The plan would set up rules on space so growers wouldn’t be allowed to exceed their land use plan.

Growers also would have to control the lighting and add extra security cameras. They also would not be allowed to conduct business withing 1,000 feet of a school or day care.

“One of those is a buffer for schools, including day care, and that comes from state law,” said Deschutes County Planning Director Nick Lelack.

Currently, the Oregon Health Authority is regulating marijuana growing operations. Next year, the counties across the state will take over, as the OLCC oversees retail sales.

According to Lelack, there are about 1,700 medical marijuana growing operations currently in the county.

“Existing medical marijuana growers or new recreational marijuana growers would be required to comply with the new marijuana regulations,” he said.

The county plans to hold three more public hearings in coming weeks so all residents can give their opinion on this issue, the first another before the planning commission next Thursday evening..

The panel also has the option to recommend to the commissioners to opt out of the marijuana business as well. A decision is expected by the end of the year.