Election day this year proved to be a big step forward in terms of drug policy reform, with Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota legalizing adult-use cannabis, Mississippi legalizing medicinal cannabis, Washington DC decriminalizing a host of psychedelic plants, and Oregon leading the way by legalizing psilocybin for therapeutic use and decriminalizing non-commercial possession of ALL controlled substances.
But here in California, at least thirty-five cities and counties were also voting on cannabis-related issues, and those ballot initiatives were largely successful. As Marijuana Business Daily noted in their overview of the successful initiatives, “as of June, only 168 of California’s 540 cities and counties allowed for any type of legal MJ retail operations, and many of those don’t allow adult-use retail, only medical.” Across California, there are currently only about 700 storefront retailers, which is arguably woefully insufficient.
In this two-part series, we provide a rundown of what happened with cannabis at the local level in this year’s election, and how in some jurisdictions, that might pave the way for new commercial cannabis opportunities across California. In case you missed it, part one of this series is here.
Oceanside: Measure M
Voters authorized a tax on marijuana retail, manufacturing, and distribution business of up to 6% and on cultivation marijuana businesses of up to 3.5% of gross receipts generating an estimated $1.9 million per year for general city services.
Ojai: Measure G
Voters authorized a 3% tax on marijuana businesses generating an estimated $465,000 – $1.55 million per year for city services and permitting Ojai to increase the tax up to 10%.
Pomona: Measure PO
Voters supported the Commercial Cannabis Permit Program granting up to eight permits for marijuana businesses, maintaining marijuana businesses must be at least 1,000 feet from schools, daycares and youth facilities.
Porterville: Measure R
Voters authorized a tax on marijuana businesses of 10% of gross receipts or $25 per square foot to fund general services and public safety.
San Bruno: Measure S
Voters authorized a business license tax up to 10% on gross receipts generating no revenue until marijuana businesses are permitted within the city.
San Joaquin County: Measure X
Voters authorized the county to impose a marijuana tax of between 3.5% and 8% of gross receipts and $2.00 per sq. ft. of cultivation in order raise an estimated $250,000 per year to fund childhood and youth services.
Solana Beach: Measure S
Voters REJECTED a measure that would have allowed at least two storefront cannabis retail licenses as well as indoor cultivation and delivery. Solana Beach currently prohibits all commercial cannabis activity.
Sonoma: Measure X and Measure Y
Voters approved Measure X, which establishes a general cannabis business tax of up to 4% for retailers, manufacturers and indoor growers, 3% for distributors, 2.5% for outdoor cultivators, and 2% for testing labs.
Voters also REJECTED Measure Y, which would have allowed additional personal cultivation rights and the establishment and operation of cannabis businesses within the City, including commercial cultivation, manufacturing, retail, delivery, distribution, testing, and special events.
Tracy: Measure W
Voters authorized marijuana business taxes at the following rates: 6% of gross receipts for retail businesses, 4% of gross receipts for other businesses, and $12 per sq. ft. for canopy cultivation, thereby generate an estimated $350,000-$700,000 per year in revenue for the city’s general fund.
Trinity County: Measure G
Voters approved a tax on marijuana cultivation at a rate of $15.44 per pound for flowers, $4.59 per pound for leaves, $2.16 per pound for fresh plants, and 2.5% of gross receipts for those with a marijuana retail license, maintaining a maximum tax rate of 25% for the first 100 pounds, 50% for 100-400 pounds, 75% for 400-1,000 pounds, and a tax at the full rate for more than 1,000 pounds.
Vacaville: Measure V
Voters authorized a marijuana business tax of 6% of gross receipts for retail businesses, 4% of gross receipts for other businesses, and $10 per square foot for cultivation generating an estimated $400,000 – $600,000 to fund general services including law enforcement, fire services and roads.
Ventura: Measure I
Voters approved a tax on marijuana businesses of 8% of gross receipts for retail marijuana businesses, 4% for other marijuana businesses and $10 per square foot for cultivation. The city currently prohibits all commercial cannabis activity.
Ventura County: Measure O
Voters authorized marijuana cultivation and distribution with limitations of 500 acres for cultivation of general marijuana and 100 acres for indoor nurseries, permits for sales between distributors, and a tax of 4% of gross receipts on general cultivation and 1% of gross receipts on nursery cultivation. The county currently prohibits all commercial cannabis activity.
Weed: Measure B
Voters decided to establish regulations on marijuana businesses including requiring licenses, limiting licenses, and other regulations on operations and conduct of such businesses.
Yountville: Measure T
Voters REJECTED a measure that would have allowed one marijuana business to exist in Yountville for retail, delivery and on-site consumption and establishing regulations, fees, permits, operation conditions and a 3% tax on gross receipts, generating an estimated $30,000 – $100,000 per year.
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