The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will host an informational town hall meeting on the social, fiscal and legal ramifications of medical marijuana dispensaries on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Anne Basker Auditorium, 604 N.W. Sixth St.

Josephine County Commissioner Simon Hare organized the event.

“In light of the new laws allowing for and regulating cannabis dispensaries, I’m seeking a broadly informed and open conversation about the siting of these facilities in our community,” Hare said.

Last week the state began accepting applications from prospective dispensary operators. Another law was passed last week that gives local governments the ability to enact a moratorium on dispensaries until May 1, 2015.

The symposium’s invited panelists include State Rep. Wally Hicks, R-Grants Pass; State Rep. Peter Buckley, D-Ashland; Rob Bovett, legal counsel for the Association of Oregon Counties; Josephine County Legal Counsel Steve Rich; Grants Pass Mayor Darin Fowler; Cave Junction City Council President Daniel Dalegowski; Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters; Josephine County Local Area Drug and Alcohol Planning Committee Prevention Coordinator Shawn Martinez; a potential dispensary owner and a medical marijuana grower and card holder.

Rogue Valley Community Television will broadcast the forum over Channel 21 on Charter Cable.