Redmond voters will finally get to weigh in on whether or not to allow marijuana dispensaries in their city, nearly a decade after such shops became legal in Oregon.

Additionally, voters will also decide to allow psilocybin centers within city limits.

Redmond has never allowed recreational marijuana dispensaries to operate within city limits, though recreational use of marijuana is allowed by state law. In 2022, Redmond voters put a two-year, temporary ban on psilocybin treatment centers. The ban on such centers is set to end Dec. 31.

City council voted July 11 to give voters the chance to decide whether to keep the bans or remove them. Also on July 11, council passed a three percent local sales tax on marijuana that would be instituted if voters support dispensaries.

According to Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch, marijuana dispensaries have been a hot topic of conversation since he’s been on city council and now in the mayor’s seat. He said councilors and staff get “a lot of emails for and against,” so the council decided voters should make the final decision.

“Personally, I think (the votes) will be close,” Fitch said.

Michael Turton, a Redmond resident of four years, said he will vote to allow dispensaries in the city.

“I have close family who have been able to cut back or quit drinking alcohol with the help of cannabis,” Turton said. “I’ve also heard that it’s been helpful to people with opioid and other addictions, so I believe that the positives greatly outweigh the negatives.”

Turton said he smokes marijuana occasionally and uses edibles to help with sleep and anxiety. He thinks having local shops will help him, and the wider Redmond business community.

“Having dispensaries in Redmond would be a great boon for other businesses,” Turton said. “Many tourists make a dispensary the first stop when they arrive, so right now they’re immediately going to Bend and may or may not even spend any time in Redmond. It would be smart to have them near downtown to encourage stopping for food or shopping before leaving town.”

Graham Fox, a resident of nine years, also supports marijuana dispensaries in Redmond. He said Redmond is missing out on tax dollars and inconveniencing residents by not allowing them.

“All not having them does is cause people to drive to Bend and spend money there,” Fox said. He said he uses marijuana about once a month.

Redmond resident Donna Viola, on the other hand, said she’s against the legalization of marijuana dispensaries. But she did agree that the matter “should be put up to the Redmond voters to decide.”

Bend makes about $1 million per year by taxing its marijuana dispensaries, according to Redmond finance officer Jason Neff. Neff estimated that Redmond would make about $100,000 per year from dispensaries if voters allow them to operate.

Fitch prefers, if voters allow the possibility, to approve only a few dispensaries.

“From my perspective, I think it’s a good idea to have it here, but only if it’s in a very restricted fashion,” Fitch said. “Maybe like our liquor stores, maybe one on the south side, maybe one on the east side. I’d not be in favor of any more than that.” He added dispensaries would not be placed near schools or kid-friendly areas.

But others on city council — and one aiming to join the council in November — aren’t so sure.

City Councilor Shannon Wedding, who is running for re-election in November, said she opposes dispensaries in the city and hopes voters keep the current ban in place.

“I don’t think Redmond is ready for it,” Wedding said. “I don’t see it as something Redmond needs.”

Longtime former city council member Jay Patrick, is running for council again in November. Patrick said he is against both marijuana dispensaries and psilocybin centers in Redmond, as he believes they won’t make Redmond “safer or healthier.”

“You’re giving people things that alter their minds,” Patrick said. “You’re gonna have somebody who isn’t 100% and they’re gonna do things they shouldn’t do.”

Patrick said, however, if Redmond voters decide to allow marijuana, he’s “not gonna try to turn that over because the voters have spoken.”

Where would the money go?

Resident Graham Fox said he’d like to see any tax revenue brought in from marijuana sales go to parks, roads or “something tangible,” and not just anti-drug education. He said Redmond parks are lacking compared to Bend.

Mayor Fitch said “transportation and parks would be a good location” for any dispensary tax dollars.

Fitch emphasized that marijuana use is already present in Redmond, so he doesn’t think much will change in the city if dispensaries are allowed.

“People can grow it in their own homes, adults can drive down the road to Bend and bring it back. That’s all legal so it’s really a question of; ‘Do we want to allow adults the right to have it?’”

Psilocybin, however, is not so present. Hallucinogenic mushrooms remain illegal to use or sell, except in a clinical setting. Psilocybin is often used to treat people with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

“I know from personal experience of one veteran who’s really indicated it’s been life changing for him,” Fitch said.

However, he realizes there is concern that the chance the drug may become more accessible for non-medical purposes.

“I think we could curtail it if that direction was ever even thought of,” Fitch said.

Time will tell on what the majority consensus is on marijuana dispensaries and psilocybin centers come November.

Voters have until Oct. 15 to register and participate in the November election. Deschutes County drop boxes will open Oct. 18 and Election Day is set for Nov. 5.