Will Marijuana Grow Sites Affect Neighboring Property Values?
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Thursday, July 30, 2015
Rebecca Randall, GoLocalPDX Contributor
Some Oregonians just can’t see how pot growers could be good neighbors, but with growing recreational marijuana posed for launching next year, it’s now a reality the state will have to live with.
“When I talk to people in communities, the question I always ask is: ‘If a home is located next to a grow site, how many of you would purchase it?’ And generally in a room of several people not one hand will go up,” said Norm Rice, a real estate broker who lives in Boring.
But last night when a citizen group opposed to marijuana grow operations in their neighborhoods held a panel in Damascus, one hand went up. It was the hand of a medical marijuana grower at what was once the Mt. Hood Equestrian Center.
Todd Sivertson bought the eight-acre Mt. Hood Equestrian Center in November 2014 at a reduced price. His intent was to reopen the equestrian center, but he estimates there was about $300,000 in damage.
“It was just too much money to reopen as an equestrian center. Because of the surge of growers out there, I leased it to a grower,” he said. “There’s no goofy activity out there. The only scary thing about what’s going on out there is that Norm keeps telling people what’s going on out there. There’s no money, no selling, no distribution. It’s just a grow facility.”
Sivertson said that he doesn’t smoke pot and didn’t even vote for Measure 91, which legalized recreational marijuana. “I didn’t vote for it, but most of the residents of Oregon did. It’s legal so we’re going have to live with it,” he said.
Renting to a medical marijuana grower is helping Sivertson renovate the equestrian center, which he anticipates reopening in two to three years. He doesn’t believe that using the facility as a grow site will last that long anyway, as rules are still being made about recreational marijuana growers and are changing for medical marijuana growers.
Photo credit: redfin.com
“We’re doing nothing but improving the property. I’m not causing people’s property to depreciate,” said Sivertson.
Rice owns a house next door to the center, though he declined to comment other than to say that the impact of new pot growing neighbors on the value of a home can’t be quantified. “Property values are always dependent on what people will pay. It’s market driven,” he said. “I’m not going to put a dollar sign on it in terms of loss or gain. I think that’s misleading.”
But for Shirley Morgan, a national community activist against illegal drug crimes, it is an obvious decline in property value. “If you were to have lived next to an equestrian center one day, and the next day find it’s a marijuana grow site, would you be pleased? No one is going to buy a home knowing that is next door.”
Morgan, who has lived in Welches for 43 years, encountered a meth and marijuana trafficking house next door to her 15 years ago. There was late night traffic and unpleasant odors, and then her home was burglarized. The experience taught her that the police can only do so much.
She believes that it’s the community’s responsibility to ensure safe drug policy. So she began working in citizen engagement nationally. Now she is launching the Citizens for Public Safety, Quality of Life and Protection of Property Values.
In her view, there has been a “land grab” in Oregon of vulnerable properties purchased to eventually grow marijuana.
Morgan’s organization is targeting a number of other grow sites, including the seven-acre Oregon Candy Farm outside of Sandy, which was purchased in 2013 by Nicholas and Evette Pavich from California; 40 acres in Deschutes County purchased by a Florida investor, and a 100-tree site in Grants Pass.
“I’ve realized that who needs to be at the table a lot more are citizens and a lot of them just don’t know how to get to that table,” said Morgan. “I teach them and mentor them on how to do that.”
The panel on Tuesday included elected officials from state, county and local bodies as well as law enforcement officers. “It’s much about bringing these policy makers together in a way that’s collaborative,” said Morgan. “What are you seeing and what are the challenges? How can we as citizens be good partners in creating safe drug policy in our communities?”
The state’s intent in making marijuana a legitimate business, however, isn’t possible in Morgan’s view. “I know that’s what they hope for, but when you have a movement such as the marijuana one, where they’re trying to make it legal on the state level, (it won’t work).
“It would be difficult to coexist as long as its federally illegal and it can be trafficked to an out-of-state market. Coexistence is going to be difficult.”
Related Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know About Marijuana In Oregon
The smoking of marijuana is a part of the fabric of Oregon - one of the first states in America to legalize usage.
See all the issues you need to know below.
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Things to learn from Washington
The following slides are things that Oregon can learn from the legalization of marijuana in the State of Washington.
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Engage Medicinal Marijuana Industry Experts
Washington has been criticized for not incorporating the medicinal marijuana industry or its experts, in its transition to legalization.
“Give all of the people who are legally in the medical marijuana system an easy path, keep people in place,” lobbyist Geoff Sugerman said.
By being the first state to legalize medicinal marijuana in 1998, Oregon has the advantage of a fully functional supply chain of medicinal growers and retailers.
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Connect Growers and Retailers
Washington Retailers say at first it was hard to find newly licensed marijuana growers. The state can help the fledgling industry by helping to better connect producers and retailers, Cannabis City in-store manager Amber McGowan said.
Regulating wholesalers is another way to go between growers and retailers, McGowan said.
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Phase in Retail and Production Permits together
By proportionately phasing in retail and pot farming permits, Oregon can prevent both the short supply and flooded market that Washington experienced. In July, retailers sold out in days, while the approved growers scrambled to meet the demand. According to McGowan, there are too many growers and not enough retailers to sell to now.
“There are too many farmers going out of business because there are not enough people to sell their product,” McGowan said. “To make it super successful, don’t over saturate the market with growers.”
Solstice Grown grower Alex Cooley advocates not putting a cap on the number of licenses issued at all.
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Avoid Heavy Taxation
In Washington, growers pay an excise tax of 25 percent tax between grower and processor, another 25 percent tax between processor and retailer, and another 25 percent between retailer and customer.
This means a gram of marijuana, which goes for less than $10 on the black market, goes for $25 in retail stores, Cannabis City's Amber McGowan said.
This price differential is driving customers to the black market, critics say.
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Don't Use a Lottery System
To limit the number of retail stores per county, would-be retailers entered a lottery through Washington's regulators to determine who was eligible to apply for a permit.
Critics say the lottery system cut out qualified retailers, some who had experience from the medical cannabis industry, while allowing unqualified people to set up shop.
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Talk to Cities and Counties
Taking into account the laws specific to counties and municipalities will be essential to Oregon’s success in implementation, William Simpson of Northwest Producers and Processors Association.
“The single largest mistake we could make is not talking to the attorney generals, cities and counties about moratoriums and what would be allowed,” Simpson said. In Washington, some license holders were unable to open due to county moratoriums and bans.
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Treat the Industry like Agriculture
Grower Alex Cooley argues that because marijuana is a plant, it should be regulated like an agricultural crop, taking into consideration harvest cycles. Washington suffered a short supply in July, and then a flooded market following the harvest of outdoor crops in the fall.
Cooley urges Oregon regulators to allow crops on farm land, as some Washington cities are now banning grow operations within city limits.
“It’s a plant, it should grow in the sun, not in a warehouse in Seattle,” he said.
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Things to Know
Next up are several things to know about the legalization of Marijuana right here in Oregon.
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Drug testing will continue
Despite marijuana being as legally permissible as a pint of beer, many of the largest employers of Oregonians will continue to include marijuana in their employee drug screens.
Fred Meyer, one of the largest employers across the state, said the company plans to continue drug testing its Oregon employees regardless of the new law.
Melinda Merrill, Fred Meyer communications director, said the company employs truck drivers, heavy equipment operators and other positions that require drug screening.
“We have to make our employees safe,” Merrill said.
Companies that employ heavy equipment operators are required to buy insurance. Companies that employ workers who operate machinery while simultaneously employing workers who do not are sometimes offered a lower monthly deductible if they test all of their employees across the board, as opposed to only testing a portion.
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Your neighborhood dealer may be able to stay in business
The average price for marijuana in Oregon is among the lowest in the nation at sightly over $9 per gram, according to data collected by priceofweed.com.
The economy for recreational pot in Washington failed to gain the footing that was expected by some experts. The notion of Seattle being crowned as the new Amsterdam went up in smoke after consumers saw how the state’s taxes increased the price of marijuana - three joints can run a Washington customer $75, while a gram of the plant’s dried flowers cost around $30.
While the taxation in Oregon isn’t expected to bump prices that high, customers who have grown accustomed to the state’s high quality, low-price buds and hash oils may turn their noses up at even the slightest increase.
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Taxes on pot will be different than Washington and Colorado laws
Marijuana sold from licensed vendors in Oregon will carry taxes of $35 per ounce on marijuana flowers, $10 per ounce on all marijuana leaves and trimmings and a $5 tax on all immature plants or clones. The tax rates will be reevaluated every two years and adjusted for inflation. The revenue will be allocated to support government services - 40 percent will support public schools, 20 percent will support law enforcement, 20 percent will support mental health and 5 percent will support the Oregon Health Authority.
State-licensed vendors may still face obstacles, however, when it comes to their federal income taxes. Internal Revenue Section code 280E denies any tax deductions and credits for businesses that traffic any controlled substances that are prohibited under federal law.
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You can’t smoke up wherever you please
The law stipulates that use of marijuana, including injection, ingestion and inhalation of the drug is prohibited in public places. In other words, you won't constanty be seeing (or smelling) people lining sidewalks lighting up a joint.
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There are also restrictions on growing
No one is permitted to have more than four marijuana plants at a time - considerably less than the 12 plants that Washington residents are allowed to grow. The law also restricts plants being grown in public view.
Sorry, window-sill gardeners.
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Marijuana DUIs may be addressed in future legislation
Unlike the Washington law, which included attached regulations concerning driving impairment, Oregon’s law has more room for interpretation.
Driving under the influence of marijuana is classified as a class b traffic violation, which carries a presumptive fine of $260 and is not to exceed maximum fine of $2,000. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has been tasked with researching the subject of drugged driving and presenting its finding to the Oregon Legislative Assembly no later than January 2017.
After reviewing the OLCC report, the state legislative assembly will decide whether passing more extensive driving regulations will be necessary.
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Legalization won't take effect until summer.
Anyone over 21 will be allowed to possess small amounts of marijuana for their personal use from July 1, 2015.
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Crossing the Columbia River with a state-licensed spliff will catch you a felony
Although marijuana is simultaneously legal in Oregon and Washington, it's illegal to transfer the drug between the two states.
Measure 91 is only applicable to Oregon and marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Even with a physician’s subscription, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance - meaning that anyone transporting it across state lines is prosecutable by federal agencies.
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Legalization could mean big money for financial service startups
It’s not just the vendors whose businesses will grow under legalization - companies like Greenpay are expected to expand rapidly once the new legal market gets its footing. Greenpay would allow consumers to instantly purchase marijuana using their smartphones.
Greenpay is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MyEcheck - a publicly traded company whose shares typically trade for less than ten cents on the New York Stock Exchange. With legalization efforts gaining momentum around the country, companies providing auxiliary services for the marijuana industry may create an economic boom.
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Employers that will still test for Marijuana
The following slides are 20 companies that will continue to test their employees for marijuana.
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Jeld-Wen
Industry: Manufacturing and distributing
Headquarters: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Number of Oregon Locations: 2
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Standard Insurance
Industry: Insurance and finance
Headquarters: Portland, Oregon
Number of Oregon Locations: 2
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Seven Feathers Casino
Industry: Hospitality
Headquarters: Canyonville, Oregon
Number of Oregon Locations: 1
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Intel
Industry: Semiconductors
Headquarters: Santa Clara, California
Number of Oregon Locations: 6
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Alaska Air Group
Industry: Transportation
Headquarters: SeaTac, Washington
Number of Oregon Locations: 4
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Fred Meyer
Industry: Retail
Headquarters: Portland, Oregon
Number of Oregon Locations: 50
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Market of Choice
Industry: Grocery
Headquarters: Eugene, Oregon
Number of Oregon Locations: 9
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Willamette Pass Ski Area
Industry: Recreation
Headquarters: Willamette Pass
Number of Oregon Locations: 1
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Bi-Mart
Industry: Retail
Headquarters: Eugene, Oregon
Number of Oregon Locations: 60
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Nordstrom
Industry: Retail
Headquarters: Seattle, Washington
Number of Oregon Locations: 10
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Safeway
Industry: Grocery
Headquarters: Pleasanton, California
Number of Oregon Locations: 97
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Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Industry: Retail
Headquarters: Union, New Jersey
Number of Oregon Locations: 9
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Jack in the Box
Industry: Restaurants
Headquarters: San Diego, California
Number of Oregon Locations: 54
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Costco
Industry: Retail
Headquarters: Issaquah, Washington
Number of Oregon Locations: 13
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Kaiser Permanente
Industry: Healthcare
Headquarters: Oakland, California
Number of Oregon Locations: 60
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Dairy Queen
Industry: Restaurants
Headquarters: Edina, Minnesota
Number of Oregon Locations: 105
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United Rentals
Industry: Construction equipment suppliers
Headquarters: Greenwich, Connecticut
Number of Oregon Locations: 10
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Papé Brothers, Inc.
Industry: Construction equipment suppliers
Headquarters: Eugene, Oregon
Number of Oregon Locations: 24
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Best Buy
Industry: Retail
Headquarters: Richfield, Minnesota
Number of Oregon Locations: 15
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Sinclair Media
Industry: Broadcasting Media
Headquarters: Hunt Valley, Maryland
Number of Oregon Locations: 4
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Washington's Marijuana Legalization Mistakes Oregon Can Avoid
The next set of slides show the mistakes that Washington made that Oregon can avoid when they legalize marijuana.
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Supply and demand
An imbalance of supply and demand caused a slew of startup problems for Washington producers and retailers, Cooley said. Oregon can avoid these issues by simplifying and coordinating its permit process, Oregon lobbyist Geoff Sugerman said. Additionally, he said the three separate taxes imposed in Washington drove prices too high, and sent consumers to the black market and elsewhere.
“What we need to make sure of is that our taxing structure is low enough that it doesn’t increase prices so dramatically it drives users back to the black market,” Sugerman said.
Because of those taxes, the going rate for a gram of marijuana at Cannabis City, Seattle’s first recreational pot retailer, is $25.
“Drug dealers sell it for $8 or $9 a gram,” said Cannabis City in-store manager Amber McGowan. “The focus of legalization was to have people avoid the black market. Now we’ve allowed the black market to thrive.”
For this same reason, William Simpson, founder of the Northwest Producers Processors and Retailers group, advocates putting a proposed tax onto the end of the transaction. As it stands, Oregon growers will be taxed $35 per ounce for flowers, $10 per ounce on leaves, and $5 per premature plant.
Because Washington legislators and regulators were afraid of letting too much product onto the market, prices were at a premium when pot retail shops first opened their doors, while a handful of licensed growers scrambled to keep up with demand. Within three days, most of Washington’s marijuana retailers were out of stock. But, by summer, Cooley said the market was flooded with outdoor grown marijuana, and those retailers were paying a fifth as much as they were in July.
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Saturated market
“There’s a glut of product in Washington,” said Cooley.
Oregon could spare the market turmoil, Cooley argues, by proportionately phasing in retail and pot farming permits, and not putting a cap on the number of licenses issued at all. According to McGowan, there are too many growers and not enough retailers to sell to.
“There are too many farmers going out of business because there are not enough people to sell their product,” McGowan said. “To make it super successful, don’t over saturate the market with growers.”
But prior, some businesses that applied for a license had to wait up to a year before knowing if they would get the permit.
The same factors driving Washington users to the black market could send them to Oregon, Simpson said. “Washington is worried about what will happen when there’s an inexpensive market in Oregon, that people will come over the bridge and purchase it here,” he said.
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Keep medicinal experts in place
By being one of the first states to legalize medicinal marijuana in 1998, Oregon has the advantage of a fully functional supply chain of medicinal growers and retailers, who Cooley said should be consulted.
“Bring in the people who have already done it well, and hold up the people who are doing it right as an example,” he said.
Washington has been criticized for not incorporating the medicinal marijuana industry or its experts, in its transition to legalization. Medicinal cannabis was not legal or regulated in the state until after 2012.
“Give all of the people who are legally in the medical marijuana system an easy path, keep people in place,” Sugerman said.
House Bill 2676, introduced for the Feb. session by Rep. Peter Buckley, would give the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) dual licensing powers for growers and processors, as well as dispensaries by transferring medicinal marijuana dispensary regulation from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to the commission.
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Sense of place
Taking into account the laws specific to counties and municipalities will be essential to Oregon’s success in implementation, Simpson said.
“The single largest mistake we could make is not talking to the attorney generals, cities and counties about moratoriums and what would be allowed,” Simpson said. In Washington, some license holders were unable to open due to county moratoriums and bans.
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Treat it like agriculture
Cooley argues that because marijuana is a plant, it should be regulated like an agricultural crop. He urges Oregon regulators to allow crops on farm land, as some Washington cities are now banning grow operations within city limits.
“It’s a plant, it should grow in the sun, not in a warehouse in Seattle,” he said.
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