Council directs staff to study 1,000-foot spacing for new marijuana businesses and hold a study session

Councilor John Quinn moved and the Medford City Council voted to direct staff to begin drafting a code change that would require any new marijuana businesses be located at least 1,000 feet from existing marijuana businesses. Quinn cited state marijuana licensing statutes as authorizing such a location restriction.

Quinn said the approach is narrowly focused on the 1,000‑foot spacing and not a broader time‑place‑manner package: “There's a statute, ORS 475C.4492, that does seem to authorize generally time, place, manner restrictions on locations,” he said, and moved to initiate code change efforts citywide. The motion included a request that the council hold a study session first so members could review legal implications and policy tradeoffs before sending language to the planning commission.

Why it matters: The proposed change, if adopted, would not affect existing licensed businesses but would restrict where new marijuana retailers, producers, processors or other licensed marijuana uses could locate, with the stated goal of preventing business concentration.

Councilors asked how the proposal differs from generalized time‑place‑manner restrictions and whether other businesses could seek similar protection; city legal and planning staff will provide a legal analysis. Councilor Kevin recommended a study session first to assess unintended consequences; the council agreed and asked staff to return with draft language and legal review.

Ending: Staff will prepare materials for a council study session to discuss the proposed 1,000‑foot spacing rule and potential code language before formal review by the planning commission.