Sisters residents speak out on marijuana businesses

Sisters residents expressed a variety of opinions at a community meeting Tuesday evening about allowing marijuana-related business in the city, as more than 60 people packed City Hall.

Sisters currently relies on its business license to prohibit the sale of any marijuana products.

Now, the city is talking about regulations for marijuana businesses — the hours they could operate, where it could be located and the manner of sale.

City Manager Brant Kucera said since Measure 91 passed, the city has been talking about regulations like this.

“No.1, Measure 91 legalized it statewide, so therefore people are going to want to operate businesses where you can sell marijuana,” Kucera said. “As a number of communities surrounding us have shown, a lot of people are looking to invest in this opportunity.”

Nonetheless, some residents said odor would be a problem, kids would be more exposed to marijuana, and it would ruin the small-town feel of Sisters.

Others who were in favor of marijuana retailers said it has medical benefits, it’s a good business investment for the community and schools, and people will understand it once they’re educated about it.

“I hope the city of Sisters does say yes to it and we do get a dispensary, because it does help a lot of people behind closed doors that have problems,” Sisters resident Trevor Goldbeck said. “It’s not a bunch of drug addicts walking into those dispensaries. There are everyday people that go in there, and it helps them and helps their problems. I think that Sisters needs that — and we definitely need the money.”

Sisters resident Katelyn Gernert said conflicts over the issue can be avoided if people are educated.

“It is so new, and it’s growing so big,” Gernert said. “Every day, there is a new law or a new product, and so you need to keep up on that and keep educating people.”

But others said if the city legalizes marijuana, it’s like adults are saying it’s OK for children to use it.

The opponents were not convinced that the financial benefits were worth adding retailers to the town.

“Our little town of Sisters is like a Hallmark movie to me,” Barbara Barnum said. “If you let one dispensary come in, you’re going to let another and another, and it’s a seedy environment.”

Another resident, Ray Barnum, said there are negatives to marijuana.

“I’m going to have grandchildren starting school in the next couple years, and I don’t like to see them exposed to that type of activity,” Barnum said. “Also, I disagree with adding any intoxicant to our schools, our highways and our little town.”

The public input will be weighed by city councilors during a March 14 workshop and discussion about the next steps to take.