MADRAS, OR -- Madras officials hope to clarify "time, place and manner" (TPM) regulations that govern where medical and recreational marijuana outlets can operate in the city. Current code says retail pot shops must be at least 1,000' from each other, although it only applies to medical dispensaries. 

Community Development Director Nick Snead says the intent was always to have the same distance restrictions for both medical and recreational shops, "I really believe it was the intent of our advisory committee. However, it's not in the regulation." He tells KBND News, "So, to be absolutely clear, we do not want to have to rely upon the intent in interpreting the ordinance, but rather amend it so the rules are very clear, and there's no interpretation needed." Snead adds, "The last thing we want to do is have a[n] unclear or ambiguous regulatory environment. From a staff perspective, we want those regulations to be very clear, so that it's easy for those that want to operate these types of businesses to understand the regulations that apply to their business."

Sisters Voters To Decide Legal Pot Issue

Madras officials will discuss proposed revisions to marijuana regulations at a public hearing, April 4. City Councilors will then take up the issue at their April 10 Council meeting. Both meetings begin at 7 p.m. at Madras City Hall. Snead says if Council approves changes, they'll take effect immediately, "We really believe that this industry is a dynamic industry and there's a lot of interest in it. We want to be very clear and adopt these regulations and have them immediately apply, so there's a clear and bright line distinction of the date that they were adopted and the date that they become effective."