Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Page A-9
Measure 17-81 raises eyebrows
Jason McMillen
IVN Contributing Writer
The Josephine County Board of
Commissioners have placed Measure 17-
81 on the May 16 Special Election Ballot
to gather public sentiment regarding
the prohibition of recreational cannabis
production in Rural Residential zones.
Currently, recreational cannabis farms
are under the supervision of the Oregon
Liquor Control Commission (OLCC)
whereas medical gardens are under
the supervision of the Oregon Medical
Marijuana Program (OMMP). Currently,
there are a great deal more OMMP
operations than OLCC operations though
OLCC farms tend to be much bigger.
The county commissioners have
allegedly utilized some 327 cannabis-
related complaints, against cannabis
production sites, to justify putting
measure 17-81 on the ballot. However,
according to Julia Schmelzer, community
development director, there has not been
a single complaint filed against OLCC
farms within Josephine County and that
all of the complaints filed so far have
been against OMMP gardens and illegal
operations. Schmelzer added that, out
of the 2,862 currently registered OMMP
gardens, there are perhaps only a few
hundred operations that are, “ruining it
for the good growers.”
When asked whether or not the
county plans to ban OLCC farms—
should the measure pass—Commissioner
Simon Hare said, “This has not been
predetermined.” Commissioner Lilly
Morgan added that she is not familiar
with Senate Bill 1057 and that the
commissioners have discussed the
formation of a “marijuana advisory
board.” Additionally, Hare added, “It’s
too early to say,” as to whether or not
current cannabis operations would be
grandfathered in if there was a ban.
“Measure 17-81 is a gross
misrepresentation to the voters,” Chris
Hall, chairman of the Cave Junction
Farmers’ Market said. Hall made it
explicit that his statements are made from
personal opinion and do not necessarily
reflect those of his organization. In
addition to misrepresentation, Hall
charges the commissioners with,
“strategically under representing the
facts.” Hall continued with, “The
economic development brought on by the
cannabis industry in our region will be
gutted if this measure passes because the
commissioners anticipate that Senate Bill
1057 will pass.”
Senate Bill 1057 aims, among other
things, to put OMMP gardens under
purview ofthe OLCC. In summary, if
the county government places a ban on
OLCC farms as a result of Measure 17-
81 and, subsequently, if Senate Bill 1057
passes, then OMMP grow sites on rural
residential land will fall under OLCC
control and will be retroactively banned
as well.
“They [the commissioners] would
be willing to sacrifice huge numbers of
jobs, consumer shopping and economic
development because they have a
renowned prejudice and bias against
cannabis,” Hall said. Going further,
Hall theorized that banning cannabis
production will likely force rural
areas in Josephine County to collapse
economically.
“Prohibition is over and they just
don’t care,” Hall concluded.
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WednesdAys
eArly Bird 6 - 6:30PM
17 gAMes 6:30 - 9:30PM
Hamburgers for sale
520 e. river street, CJ
iv senior Center
open to tHe public
JP Auto &
Metal Recycling
New Parts - Used Parts
-We Buy Scrap Metal-
Certified Scales
29910 Redwood Hwy
Cave Junction, OR
541-592-3691
Sustainable Cannabis Fair a success
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(Photo by Laura Mancuso, Illinois Valley News)
Kelpie Wilson (right) and Jeff Meier teach a workshop on how to make biochar at the Sustainable Canna-
bis Fair held at Jubilee Park Sunday, May 7.
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Friday
Serving
CoCKtailS
H&R Block
210 W. Lister St.
Cave Junction
592-3667
Ted Crocker, LTC
Bob Litak, LTC
Licensed Tax Consultants B14914
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