Marijuana sales could be coming to Sisters soon

Legal weed could be coming to the city of Sisters.

There are still lots of steps to take before getting there, but city councilors are on the path to bring marijuana sales to town.

But first, the city would need to change its business license to no longer prohibit marijuana. Then the council would need to adopt regulations concerning the time, place and manner of marijuana production, processing and distribution.

If that all goes according to plan, anyone who wants to open a dispensary would then need to go through the state to actually set up shop.

While not everyone is a fan of the idea, the owner of Cascade Trailstop Market, Erin Herburger, said Thursday she thinks it’s a good thing.

“The revenue that is being spent in Bend, if they’re going to Bend to purchase marijuana, they’re probably also going to do other things — grocery shop, get lunch, other things that could be kept here, in addition to marijuana sales,” Herburger said. “Another concern of mine is going to Bend to obtain the marijuana and then smoking it or eating it or whatever they do with it, and then driving under the influence.”

Sisters city councilors will have several more workshops to discuss the potential of marijuana in town.

There will also be an upcoming town hall, to find out what local residents have to say about the idea.

City manager Brant Kucera said allowing Sisters to sell marijuana is simply following in the footsteps of the rest of the country.

“It just provides one more thing that you can come to Sisters for, if you’re going to be in our downtown or wherever. Demand is there, and you can find it in all the cities surrounding us,” Kucera said.

Kucera also noted Oregon towns that have allowed marijuana sales have not seen an increase in crime, but they have seen a small increase in revenue.

The city manager said if everything goes according to plan, a dispensary could be open as early as this summer.

The City Council will hold another workshop on the potential for marijuana on Wednesday, Feb.14, at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall.