Medford, Ore.– After hours of public hearings on growing, producing and processing marijuana, Jackson County is trying to determine how local residents can grow marijuana. Planning commissioners are now making recommendations to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners.
On land zoned for rural residential use, people would be allowed to grow medical marijuana for commercial use as long as the plants are set back 250 feet from property lines. However, planning commissioners are recommending a one year grace period for people who are currently growing medical marijuana for others and may not meet the set back rule.
Planning Commissioner Don Greene says its important to be mindful of the medical needs for Jackson County residents, even when making rules.
“There is a big demand and a big need for it as medicine,” Greene says. “So we wanted to make sure people had time to find a place for those people who aren’t growing it themselves and are having someone else grow it for them.”
Commercial use recreational marijuana is not allowed to be grown on rural residential land because it’s considered intensive farming. Growers would also need to have water rights for their crops and lighting that doesn’t intrude on their neighbors.
The board of commissioners will hear public input on the planning commissions recommendations at a later date before making a final decision.
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