(Update: Adding video, comments from mayoral candidates and residents)
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Marijuana is on the ballot – twice – for Redmond residents.
“I voted yes. But it’s really up to each individual,” Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch said Wednesday.
Fitch, who’s running for reelection, supports the companion measures 9-177 and 9-178. Measure 9-177 would make marijuana dispensaries legal within Redmond city limits. Currently, users are forced to travel to Bend or Madras.
“There are people who use it both for medical purposes and recreational purposes, making them drive to Bend, get the marijuana down there, pay the taxes to the city of Bend,” he said. “Driving back and using it here in some respects doesn’t make a lot of sense.”
Its companion, Measure 9-178, would add a 3% tax to cannabis goods. If both are passed, Fitch says limitations on locations will be needed.
“I’d really like to treat them like liquor stores, where we have one on the north side, one on the south side, to provide reasonable access and some competition,” Fitch said.
His mayoral opponent, City Councilor Cat Zwicker doesn’t agree: “I am one of those people that I am not in favor of dispensaries in Redmond, and I am going to vote no on the advisory vote. “
She says there’s too much risk and not enough reward.
“Is this a lot of money that’s going to make a critical difference to our community? Not at this point in time, not how it’s currently taxed,” Zwicker said.
Both shared that the dispensaries would bring in about $100,000 to $150,000.
We spoke with residents around Redmond, and many opinions were divided.
Bim Gander said, “While I don’t think that dispensaries automatically involve the availability of marijuana for high school students, the fact that it’s available to others means that others could acquire marijuana for people that are that age.”
Arthur Banneru said he voted in favor.
“It’s kind of pointless, driving to Bend and then driving back to Redmond,” he said. “I would just prefer to do it here locally and see that the city actually gets some benefit from it. I just don’t understand why you would vote no for it.”
They aren’t the only drug-related measures Redmond voters face. Measure 9-179 would declare a two-year moratorium on psilocybin service centers.
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – With ballots in the mail and voting underway, NewsChannel 21 wants to help you get the information you need. Today, we’re looking at Redmond Measure 9-177, to allow marijuana dispensaries, and Measure 9-178, which sets a 3% tax on sales of such items. The first is a non-binding, advisory recommendation to Read More