BEND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners will decide whether to ask voters to opt out of allowing psilocybin businesses in unincorporated areas. Growing, processing and providing psilocybin, also known as psychedelic or "magic" mushrooms, will be allowed next year under Measure 109. 

M109 passed in 2020, with 53% approval in Deschutes County. It already includes a provision that service centers will not be allowed in residential areas. "But it’s not crystal clear if that means Rural Residential zoning, or if it was just referring to neighborhoods inside an incorporated city," says Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone, "So that really leaves a big gray area for counties and their rural land use." He's also concerned a service center could be allowed in areas zoned for farmland. 

DeBone admits the psilocybin question is different than when Oregon legalized recreational marijuana, "Production is not as impactful as Measure 91 with marijuana production, because it isn’t a field. It’s basically a garage or a shop with climate conditions and growing. By default, it’s going to be in a smaller controlled environment. Really, it’s about the land use associated with a service center."

But, the county is playing beat the clock. Local time, place and manner rules must be approved by voters in the county, and then they need to be in place before state guidelines come out early next year. Commissioners want to hear from the public before making a decision. "The reality is it’s coming. Basically, I want some breathing space by as many people as possible to think about, ‘Oh, Oregon is going to be leading the way, because no one else has done this, it’s a Schedule I drug that may have medicinal purposes, and it could be in my neighborhood.’ I mean, we need to think about - think that through a little bit," DeBone tells KBND News.

Commissioners will hold a public hearing Wednesday afternoon to help decide on a potential November ballot measure. The hearing starts at 2 p.m. in person and virtually. A second session will take place at 5:30 p.m., if needed. You'll find the full agenda HERE.