Deschutes County reconsiders marijuana rules

(Update: Adding call by some to ‘opt out’ of allowing more marijuana permits, send issue to voters)

Deschutes County commissioners returned to a familiar topic Wednesday: the rules to regulate marijuana growing in rural areas, which were appealed to the state and are back again for a new round of debate.

In February, a dozen residents and groups filed an appeal of the county’s marijuana growing and production regulations with the state Land Use Board of Appeals.

Since then, the county has withdrawn the rules, adopted last year, for more local input The hearing was a chance for citizens to weigh in on the revised rules for marijuana production and processing in rural areas.

As before, the issues for neighbors and growers focus on lighting, and controlling noise and odors.

Statewide, Oregon officials say there’s a surplus of cannabis supply — six years’ worth.

Rural residents who back the revised rules say they feel the industry’s growth is out of hand.

They’re concerned that the issues are overwhelming law enforcement. They also say many marijuana growers are not treating the land well, causing irrigation and odor problems.

However, the Oregon Farm Bureau and cannabis growers say they feel the new county rules still go too far and beyond what restrictions state land use laws allow for agricultural uses.

They say marijuana is a farm crop and should not be more heavily regulated than other crops.

And many on hand at the hearing held ” OPT OUT ” signs, urging the county to opt out of allowing more marijuana production or sales, stopping new permit approvals until the county voters have a say.

There have been nearly 50 marijuana permits approved since February and about a half-dozen more are in the process.

” We’re suffering with our land, our human life, our animals which is our food chain and our agriculture and water, said Tammy Threlkeld , a supporter of the marijuana regulations. ” Many people have had their wells re-drilled. This is an unnecessary thing, it’s not a life-sustaining product — it’s recreational. We have enough recreation here in Central Oregon. ”

Deschutes County also is proposing to remove marijuana production from the ban on nuisance and trespass lawsuits.

The Oregon Farm Bureau said Deschutes County cannot change its rules in a way that violates the state’s ” Right to Farm ” ordinance.

As a result of the new proposed amendments, marijuana growers feel they’re facing unreasonable regulations not imposed on other county farmers or growers elsewhere in the state. Oregon’s Right to Farm law says neighbors or others cannot legally challenge allowed uses of farm or forest-zoned land.

The public has until July 21 to submit written testimony on the county’s marijuana production rules. Commissioners plan to meet in early August to review the public feedback and discuss how to proceed.