Clifford Evelyn

On Tuesday, May 16, the mayor and city council had a special session to discuss dispensaries in Redmond.

The panel consisted of professionals from Deschutes County who have knowledge and experience involving dispensaries. The panel consisted of the Deschutes County District attorney, Bend police chief, three OLCC staff, a representative from parole and probation, and Deschutes County Chief Financial Officer.

This panel addressed some of the questions and stigmas associated with dispensaries to hopefully put to rest much of the stigma associated with them.

After a presentation and briefing of the facts and experiences they have had with dispensaries, it was quite evident what some believe and insist on promoting is inaccurate in regard to the stigma associated with dispensaries. In fact, it was confirmed by OLCC that the criteria in place for dispensaries are far more stringent than that of liquor stores and yet the same concern of children attracted to liquor stores was not mentioned by the opposition.

The primary purpose of this meeting was strictly to focus on the possible implementation of dispensaries in Redmond, but it turned into a discussion about protecting our children from utilizing dispensaries. This has proven to be a nonissue in many cities that have dispensaries according to those on the panel from Bend, the only dispensary owner from Hood River, and the two owners from Oregrown who were present. Minors using dispensaries to get marijuana has not been their experience. In fact, the relationship between dispensaries and local police departments have been very good.

I want to be clear that I am not for promoting the use of cannabis, but instead advocating for legalization of cannabis for adults, just as we do for alcohol. Effective regulation requires legalization. I also support a core set of common sense measures to control the marijuana industry in Redmond while at the same time protecting public health. Keep in mind that we have veterans who use marijuana to manage PTSD, cancer patients who use it to alleviate pain or to lessen reliance on opioid pain medication, and adults who choose to consume marijuana with friends in the privacy of his or her home just as we allow for alcohol.

It is not the role of the mayor and city council to decide an outcome, but instead to gather the facts and evaluate the matter. Mayor Fitch and city council will continue to work in the best interest of our city and will continue to demonstrate transparency by involving you, the citizens, in the decision making process. This is how a democracy works and this allows every citizen to be a stakeholder in the process. I am confident we as a city will arrive at a meaningful solution.

Read about what got done at the meeting, including increase in parking fees at Redmond Airport.