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Eugene May Put Buffers Between Pot Stores

Map of licenced marijuana retailers in Eugene.
City of Eugene
Map of licenced marijuana retailers in Eugene.

The Eugene City Council may require 1-thousand foot buffer zones between marijuana retailers. The council voted 6 to 2 Wednesday to draft an ordinance.

Map of licenced marijuana retailers in Eugene.
Credit City of Eugene
Map of licenced marijuana retailers in Eugene.

Members of the business community have been urging city councilors to limit the number of pot dispensaries, especially since a proliferation of the stores in downtown Eugene.

Councilor Mike Clark banged the table as he voiced his concern:

“How much time and money have we spent on consultants telling us how to have a downtown environment that’s welcoming to kids and families and everything else? And this is the folks who do business down there saying, ‘Guys, if downtown is pot-central, that’s not going to accomplish the goal and you’ve wasted all that money, and I’m gone!’”

Councilor Betty Taylor voted against the proposal, wondering why the city should regulate pot-shops but not bars or Starbucks. Councilor Alan Zelenka also voted no. Councilors Claire Syrett and Greg Evans were absent. The next step is a public hearing on the proposed ordinance, which has not yet been scheduled.

 

Copyright 2018 KLCC

Rachael McDonald is KLCC's All Things Considered host. She also reports on a variety of topics including local government, education, and breaking news.