While waiting on Salem, cities grapple with marijuana regulations

Gresham's debate this month over whether to allow medical marijuana businesses exposed a deep divide of opinion about the drug in the state.

Supporters, like Councilor Karylinn Echols, argued city government shouldn't stand in the way of a patient's need for medication while Council President Jerry Hinton, who opposes the businesses, said he doesn't want to provide access to another intoxicating drug to residents.

"I need to represent that half of the citizens of Gresham that did not vote for marijuana," Hinton said just before the City Council adopted regulations on a 4-3 vote that allow the businesses – but only with tight regulations and expensive fees.

Their debate mirrors what's happening in state Capitol as lawmakers reached an impasse last week over how much power cities and counties should have to prohibit medical marijuana facilities. Members of a House-Senate committee on marijuana couldn't agree whether or not...

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