The new Redmond city council’s first meeting was Jan. 5. Prior to that meeting, the council had a work retreat and prioritized issues the council would address. The issues for the public to weigh in on were on the city’s website as a flash poll.

I find number six, marijuana dispensaries, very interesting for two reasons. First, Redmond voters are two-thirds conservative.

Second, in February 2022 the Oregon Legislature passed HB 4016, which prohibits the issuance of new cannabis licenses of all types (except labs) until March 31, 2024. This bill passed partially because there are too many marijuana dispensaries. Also, profit is spread too thin between dispensaries. Deschutes County has 33 dispensaries.

After talking to Tammey Zalewski of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, I discovered a marijuana business can move its business to another city. The license goes with it. The marijuana dispensary would have to apply for a business license in Redmond and the code for the city would have to be changed to allow this to happen.

The city of Redmond as a whole is a conservative city with conservative values. The conservatives of Redmond do not want to become like Bend, which has become very liberal.

According to the Dec. 27 Redmond Spokesman story by Tim Trainor, outgoing mayor George Endicott “describes his political philosophy as one of ‘fundamental government.’ The city provides public health, public safety, economic development and infrastructure. Anything outside of that, including recent pushes to get involved in social issues, diversity, and homelessness are outside the scope of city business.”

Our new council should look at the high standard Mayor Endicott brought to the city of Redmond. A new council does not mean we throw out our old ways to keep up with liberal thinking. According to council goals and vision, “the city of Redmond will be a model for Northwest communities by being innovative in the creation of a high quality of life, ample family-wage jobs and a safe environment in which to raise and educate families.” The mission of the Redmond city council is to create and maintain quality community conditions for its citizens.

The city of Redmond has a balanced budget. The city is receiving more tax revenue from every structure built. The state of Oregon taxes marijuana dispensaries at 17 percent. 25 percent of that revenue goes to drug treatment. Cities tax the marijuana dispensaries 3 percent. Easily accessible marijuana dispensaries will increase homelessness and crime in our city.

Please let the city council know what you think and feel about this. Please keep marijuana dispensaries out of the city of Redmond.