Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Medical marijuana supporters convinced voters to let dispensaries back into the city, but Long Beach will be able to tax medical marijuana transactions at higher rates than advocates had wanted, according to election results Tuesday.
With all precincts reporting, Measure MM clinched victory with 59 percent "yes" vote and Measure MA - a city tax measure - won with 68 percent of the vote.
If approved, Measure MM will repeal a citywide ban on medical marijuana businesses that has been in place since 2012, while Measure MA will set the local tax structures for medical and recreational marijuana.
Long Beach officials placed MA on the ballot in August - one month after voters qualified Measure MM - to ensure the city could capture enough tax revenue to cover potential costs related to legalizing and regulating the marijuana industry.
Mayor Robert Garcia on Tuesday said he was thankful to Long Beach voters for supporting MA, just months after they approved Measure A - a 10-year sales tax increase hailed as the biggest public investment in a generation.
"It's a huge win," he said. "We just appreciate that the community has so much trust in the city. Clearly voters have chosen to support marijuana use and sales ... and thanks to MA, we will have enough public safety and public health resources so we can prepare for changes in this developing industry."
Voters in California also approved Proposition 64 on Tuesday, laying the groundwork to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults 21 years or older. Long Beach and other cities, however, will still need to decide whether it wants recreational marijuana businesses within its borders.
Under Measure MM, anywhere from 26 to 32 dispensaries will be allowed to operate within Long Beach, and patients 18 years or older will be able to legally buy medical marijuana.
Proponents of the measure say it is long overdue, considering California became the first state to sanction medical marijuana 20 years ago with Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act.
Adam Hijazi, a board member for the Long Beach Collective Association, said spirits were high at a local MM watch party late Tuesday in downtown, as onlookers saw results roll in favor of restoring medical marijuana businesses.
"We are ecstatic and just so appreciative that the voters in the city of Long Beach are accepting of bringing regulation back to the city," he said. "It's something we have been supportive of for a very long time."
Under Measure MA, medical marijuana sales will be taxed at 6 to 8 percent, as will each step in the supply chain process. Recreational marijuana will be taxed similarly, with rates between 8 to 12 percent in addition to a $12 to $15 tax per square foot of grow space.
City finance officers estimate Measure MA would generate $13 million annually if both Prop. 64 and Measure MM pass.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Long Beach Election Results - Local Marijuana Measures Pass
Author: Courtney Tompkins
Contact: (562) 435-1161
Photo Credit: AP
Website: Press-Telegram
With all precincts reporting, Measure MM clinched victory with 59 percent "yes" vote and Measure MA - a city tax measure - won with 68 percent of the vote.
If approved, Measure MM will repeal a citywide ban on medical marijuana businesses that has been in place since 2012, while Measure MA will set the local tax structures for medical and recreational marijuana.
Long Beach officials placed MA on the ballot in August - one month after voters qualified Measure MM - to ensure the city could capture enough tax revenue to cover potential costs related to legalizing and regulating the marijuana industry.
Mayor Robert Garcia on Tuesday said he was thankful to Long Beach voters for supporting MA, just months after they approved Measure A - a 10-year sales tax increase hailed as the biggest public investment in a generation.
"It's a huge win," he said. "We just appreciate that the community has so much trust in the city. Clearly voters have chosen to support marijuana use and sales ... and thanks to MA, we will have enough public safety and public health resources so we can prepare for changes in this developing industry."
Voters in California also approved Proposition 64 on Tuesday, laying the groundwork to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults 21 years or older. Long Beach and other cities, however, will still need to decide whether it wants recreational marijuana businesses within its borders.
Under Measure MM, anywhere from 26 to 32 dispensaries will be allowed to operate within Long Beach, and patients 18 years or older will be able to legally buy medical marijuana.
Proponents of the measure say it is long overdue, considering California became the first state to sanction medical marijuana 20 years ago with Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act.
Adam Hijazi, a board member for the Long Beach Collective Association, said spirits were high at a local MM watch party late Tuesday in downtown, as onlookers saw results roll in favor of restoring medical marijuana businesses.
"We are ecstatic and just so appreciative that the voters in the city of Long Beach are accepting of bringing regulation back to the city," he said. "It's something we have been supportive of for a very long time."
Under Measure MA, medical marijuana sales will be taxed at 6 to 8 percent, as will each step in the supply chain process. Recreational marijuana will be taxed similarly, with rates between 8 to 12 percent in addition to a $12 to $15 tax per square foot of grow space.
City finance officers estimate Measure MA would generate $13 million annually if both Prop. 64 and Measure MM pass.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Long Beach Election Results - Local Marijuana Measures Pass
Author: Courtney Tompkins
Contact: (562) 435-1161
Photo Credit: AP
Website: Press-Telegram
