Medical marijuana dispensary dilemma in Klamath County

Klamath Falls, Ore. — While the city of Klamath Falls now has a policy in place for medical marijuana dispensaries…Klamath County does not.

That’s making things difficult for a dispensary applicant in the county.

Ilo Ferroggiaro is selling pipes and plant food until his dispensary license is approved.

But the the county hasn’t approved dispensaries yet.

Reporter: “Are you sort of stuck in limbo until they get this figured out”Ferroggiaro: “Yes, I am.”

Commissioner Jim Bellet has said the county hopes to adopt an ordinance similar to one passed by the city.

But that could cause a problem for Ferroggiaro…

“If they were to impose a 400 foot restriction from a residential zone, then we would be in violation, and we would have to move.”

There are about 1000 medical marijuana card holders in Klamath County.

If each one uses about 2 ounces of marijuana a month, Ferroggiaro says that translates to plenty of business…

“That’s 2000 ounces a month. If my math is roughly correct, that’s roughly 62 pounds of medicine that Klamath Falls goes through a month.”

Ferroggiaro says that even if marijuana is legalized in Oregon, he plans to remain a patient-only store…

“If it was my medicine, I wouldn’t want to stand in line with someone that was just waiting to party.”

A separate dispensary on Washburn Way could be opening as soon as the end of this month.

But Ferroggiaro may have to wait…

“We’ll stay here as long as we have to. We’re here to serve the patient needs of Klamath County.”

The medical marijuana dispensary issue is scheduled to go before the Klamath County Commissioners on Tuesday, April 8th.

The Klamath Falls City Council adopted their ordinance by a 3 to 2 vote Monday night.

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