Voters May Be Asked To Decide If Palm Springs Should Tax Pot Dispensaries

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Voters could be asked this November whether or not to tax marijuana dispensary sales.

The Palm Springs City Council is scheduled to discuss and vote Wednesday on placing a measure on the ballot that would allow the city to collect up to $15 for every $100 sold, said City Attorney Doug Holland.

"We looked at what a number of other cities have done, and they've ranged anywhere from $2.50 to $15," he said.

San Jose, Oakland, Long Beach and Los Angeles are just a few cities that also levy medical marijuana taxes.

"These all passed anywhere from 63 percent to as high 83 percent of voters," said Holland.

The general tax measure would need to be approved by a majority of voters to pass.

It is not yet known how much the tax would generate for the general fund.

Palm Springs is the only city in the valley that allows dispensaries to operate legally with a city-issued permit. Only three dispensaries are allowed.

"It's something that we think the council should consider in light of the fact that the California Supreme Court has basically blessed local regulation and this is a kind of activity that does require a great deal of scrutiny and oversight and monitoring, and there are costs that are associated with working with these type of programs," Holland said.

In recent months, the city has been working to close illegal dispensaries. In some cases, it has sent police to ensure court-ordered compliance. Three illegal dispensaries remain open.

Holland said he also plans to place an emergency ordinance on the Wednesday agenda that, if approved by City Council, would prohibit medical marijuana delivery services from operating. The three legal dispensaries would be exempt.

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Source: mydesert.com
Author: Xochitl Peña
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Website: The Desert Sun | Palm Springs and Coachella Valley news
 
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