Deschutes County Commissioners last week confirmed that they will eventually lift the temporary ban on cannabis businesses in unincorporated areas of the county. After receiving recommendations from the county Planning Commission, Marijuana Advisory Committee, and the public, the commissioners have concluded what even they described as lengthy deliberations and have begun the process of adopting regulations to address impacts associated with the growing and processing of cannabis.
In 2014, 52 percent of Deschutes County residents voted to legalize and regulate cannabis businesses in Oregon under Measure 91. The expansive “Exclusive Farm Use” zones of rural Deschutes County make it an obvious place for growing and processing a top-selling agricultural crop such as cannabis. But in 2015, Democrats in the Oregon Legislature gave in to Republican requests for changes to Measure 91 and enacted a law allowing local governments to ban cannabis businesses under certain circumstances.
Soon after, Deschutes County Commissioners enacted a temporary ban on cannabis businesses, saying they needed more time to create regulations in addition to those already imposed by the statewide cannabis regulatory agency, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Now, nearly two years after the legalization vote, the county regulations will closely resemble restrictions already drafted and enacted by other local governments around Oregon.
The commissioners received numerous public comments from a vocal minority of county residents, convinced that cannabis businesses would ruin their rural lifestyle. They urged commissioners to send the issue to voters again or to simply ignore the 2014 vote and enact a permanent ban on cannabis businesses.
Many other county residents, including individuals and businesses who made substantial investments in land and equipment in Deschutes County after the 2014 vote, argued that the county should move forward with regulations. That made the issue a politically sensitive one for the elected commissioners.
There are currently approximately 1,500 licensed medical marijuana grow operations in the county, and no doubt many will seek licensure in the recreational market. Several businesses whose plans for operations in the county have been on hold now say they will again begin moving forward in anticipation of the end of the ban.
If the regulatory process moves forward as promised by the commissioners, the regulations will likely not take effect until September, meaning that another growing season will be lost for would-be cannabis businesses in the county, giving competitors elsewhere in the state a two-year head start.
This article appears in May 18-25, 2016.
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One of the main issues regarding rural grow operations is the light pollution. This issue was discussed back in the 1990s when Bend was growing rapidly. The result is the outdoor lighting ordinance known as the “Dark Skies” ordinance. It was originally intended to limit light pollution for the Sunriver and Pine Mt observatories.
This is a link to the FAQ on the ordinance to give some guidelines..
http://www.deschutes.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community_development/page/770/outdoor_lighting_-_frequesntly_asked_questions.pdf
I don’t know if this is still a current objective of code enforcement, but it may give some guidance on developing the current guidelines.
In the long run, I see outdoor grows flooding the market with low cost weed and putting the lights out of business. The input cost of the outdoor crop is much smaller and the economies of scale come into play. The altitude also puts us at a disadvantage.
The business model for the retail stores I have visited is a real Tiffany jewelry experience. Soon, out-of-state interests are going to McDonalds the experience and put the locals out of business unless they up their game.
Their ads are for purity, potency, and flavor. Currently, only indoor bud is fashionable. This seems to be an outgrowth from the industries medical beginnings. There doesn’t seem to be any professional marketing or brand-building.
The childish names for varieties was OK when aliases were part of the business. Now, they are a target for legitimate critics that point out the child-appeal. Responsible brand building is necessary for a mature business.
The potency of edibles is going to be a point of contention as long as the dosages are as high as they are now. The continuing stories of emergency room visits are a black-eye for the safety claims of the proponents.
This industry is in a formative process. Products, markets, laws, and technology will change as it matures. We should not stifle this budding industry in Deschutes county.
We should develop rules that protect residents and recognize that the rules should be able to adapt to a maturing industry and out-of-state influences..