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Redmond has never allowed recreational marijuana dispensaries to operate within city limits, though recreational use of marijuana has been allowed by state law since 2014. In 2022, Redmond voters put a two-year, temporary ban on psilocybin treatment centers. The ban on such centers is set to end Dec. 31.

The City Council voted July 11 to give voters the chance to decide whether to keep the bans or remove them. At the same time, the council passed a 3% local sales tax on marijuana that would be instituted if voters support dispensaries.

According to Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch, marijuana dispensaries have been a hot topic of conversation since he’s been on the City Council. He said councilors and staff get “a lot of emails for and against,� so the council decided voters should make the final decision.

“Personally, I think (the votes) will be close,� Fitch said.

Bend makes about $1 million per year by taxing its marijuana dispensaries, according to Jason Neff, finance officer with the city of Redmond. Neff estimated that Redmond would make about $100,000 per year from dispensaries if voters allow them to operate.

Fitch prefers, if voters allow the possibility, to approve only a few dispensaries.

“From my perspective, I think it’s a good idea to have it here, but only if it’s in a very restricted fashion,� Fitch said. “Maybe like our liquor stores, maybe one on the south side, maybe one on the east side. I’d not be in favor of any more than that.� He added dispensaries would not be placed near schools or kid-friendly areas.

But others on City Council — and one aiming to join the council in November — aren’t so sure.

City Councilor Shannon Wedding, who is running for reelection in November, said she opposes dispensaries in the city and hopes voters keep the current ban in place.

“I don’t think Redmond is ready for it,� Wedding said. “I don’t see it as something Redmond needs.�

Longtime former City Councilor Jay Patrick is running for council again in November. Patrick said he is against both marijuana dispensaries and psilocybin centers in Redmond, as he believes they won’t make Redmond “safer or healthier.�

“You’re giving people things that alter their minds,� Patrick said. “You’re gonna have somebody who isn’t 100%, and they’re gonna do things they shouldn’t do.�

Patrick said, however, if Redmond voters decide to allow marijuana, he’s “not gonna try to turn that over because the voters have spoken.�

Where would the money go?

Resident Graham Fox said he’d like to see any tax revenue brought in from marijuana sales go to parks, roads or “something tangible,� and not just anti-drug education. He said Redmond parks are lacking compared to Bend.

Fitch said “transportation and parks would be a good location� for any dispensary tax dollars.

Fitch emphasized that marijuana use is already present in Redmond, so he doesn’t think much will change in the city if dispensaries are allowed.

“People can grow it in their own homes; adults can drive down the road to Bend and bring it back. That’s all legal, so it’s really a question of ‘Do we want to allow adults the right to have it?’�

Psilocybin, however, is not so present. Hallucinogenic mushrooms remain illegal to use or sell, except in a clinical setting. Psilocybin is often used to treat people with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

“I know from personal experience of one veteran who’s really indicated it’s been life changing for him,� Fitch said.

However, he realizes there is concern that the drug may become more accessible for nonmedical purposes.

“I think we could curtail it if that direction was ever even thought of,� Fitch said.

Voters have until Oct. 15 to register to vote in the Nov. 5 election.