Klamath Falls, Ore. – The Klamath Falls City Council is working to clarify regulations on marijuana grows and processing. But some are concerned those rules will limit patient access to medical marijuana.
Pati Horton said her uncle suffered from violent tremors, until he tried medical marijuana. “He used it one time,” Horton testified before council. “He took a nap, and when he woke up, his hands were like this.”
Dispensary owner Ed Medina said a local ban on recreational sales limits his access to medical marijuana suppliers. “We’re stuck under the Oregon Health Authority program,” added Medina. “So a processor has to hold an Oregon Health Authority License to sell to me. Not an OLCC license.”
But local processing in Klamath Falls may face a legal hurdle. City council members reviewed an ordinance Monday night to limit processing to conform with city zoning codes.
City Councilor Dan Tofell questioned City Attorney Joanna Lyons-Antley on the basics of the ordinance, saying, “If they’re going to manufacture or process, it has to be done in an industrial, or light industrial area – right?” Lyons-Antley said that was correct.
Medina said that’s a problem, “There is no available property on this map to set up a processing facility today.”
Medina believes no access to outside, or local cannabis will only hurt patients. He said, “Essentially, a year from now, we will have no access to products – period.”
The Klamath Falls City Council is also considering an ordinance that would prohibit grows from being in public view.
Both proposals will come up for a second and final reading November 7th.
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