Klamath County, Ore. – 27 of Oregon’s 36 counties will allow recreational sales through medical marijuana dispensaries starting Thursday – but Klamath County is not one of those counties.
Ilo Ferroggiaro of ‘Laughing Lotus Farms’ grows marijuana as a remote location in Klamath County.
“This is a legal grow.” Notes Ferroggiaro. “By both the state’s definition, and the federal government’s definition.”
Ferroggiaro adds that his products are sold in dispensaries throughout the state…
“We’re in 35 stores around the state. Up the 97, up the ‘5’, and up the 101.”
Farm hand Camren Hudson thinks that’s good business for Klamath County…
“It’s going to pull this economy out of the hole.”
However, the Klamath County Commissioners voted earlier this month to ban commercial marijuana grows.
That vote sparked Ferroggiaro to begin a recall effort against Commissioner Tom Mallams…
“He literally has said that this is a moral issue, and that he wants to play kick the can.”
Ferroggiaro is also collecting signatures to allow cannabis stores in Klamath County.
If the effort fails, this could be Ilo’s last grow in Klamath County.
“Yes.” Says Ferroggiaro. “We’ve actually had several towns and cities shop us for moving our farm and business to them.”
And while marijuana is likely to remain a hot political issue in Klamath County, Camren Hudson believes it should be a personal issue.
“I don’t drink alcohol. I don’t go to the liquor store.” States Hudson. “If you don’t smoke weed, don’t go into a pot shop.”
Ferroggiaro will need to collect just over 900 signatures by December 22nd to place the cannabis question on the May ballot.
He’ll need to collect over 3,400 signatures to recall Commissioner Tom Mallams.
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