Public policy surrounding marijuana doesn't require us to set aside moral objections to the drug, but it does require us to look at the costs and benefits these policies, writes Alexandre Padilla. (Luis Eduardo Noriega, EPA/Getty Images)<!--IPTC: epa03960584 A picture made available on 21 November 2013 shows a man cutting leaves of marijuana to produce medicinal products at a farm in Sabaneta, Antioquia, Colombia, 20 November 2013. Cannabis begins to overcome the stigma in Colombia over its production, consumption and recreational traffic and evolves into natural medicine and cosmetics with isolated initiatives that leverage its psychotropic components and analgesic properties. In a country in which the amount of marijuana seized is around 300 ton per year during last three years, according to authorities, small entrepreneurial projects have proliferated to rescue its therapeutic uses. EPA/Luis Eduardo Noriega-->

Spokane County cannabis farmers will have to register at air pollution office

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SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane County marijuana farms will soon have to register with an air pollution agency that’s instituting new rules in response to odor complaints.

The Spokesman-Review reported Wednesday that the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency proposed the rules, stating a large number of odor complaints have come in since commercial production started three years ago.

The rules include a fee structure requiring businesses to pay the agency based on the size of the operation. They were developed after a year of consultation with an advisory group.

Marijuana farmer Crystal Oliver says the fees would range annually from $528 for small-scale indoor grows to nearly $5,000 for some large-scale outdoor operations.

Marijuana businesses worry the regulations and associated fees could continue to smother the young industry.

Information from: The Spokesman-Review