Blythe, California, Measure D, Commercial Marijuana Business Tax (June 2018)
| Measure D: Blythe Commercial Marijuana Business Tax |
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| The basics |
| Election date: |
| June 5, 2018 |
| Status: |
 Approved
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| Topic: |
| Local marijuana tax |
| Related articles |
| Local marijuana tax on the ballot June 5, 2018 ballot measures in California Riverside County, California ballot measures |
| See also |
| Blythe, California |
A measure to tax commercial marijuana businesses was on the ballot for Blythe voters in Riverside County, California, on June 5, 2018. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of authorizing the city to tax commercial marijuana businesses in the amount of up to $3 per square foot of cultivation, up to two percent of gross receipts, and a $5,000 annual business license fee, with revenue designated for the city's general fund. |
| A no vote was a vote against authorizing the city to tax commercial marijuana businesses in the amount of up to $3 per square foot of cultivation, up to two percent of gross receipts, and a $5,000 annual business license fee. |
Election results
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Blythe Measure D |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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1,235 | 84.07% | ||
| No | 234 | 15.93% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot question
The ballot question was as follows:[1]
| “ |
Shall Ordinance NO. 888-18 be adopted authorizing a commercial cannabis business tax in the City of Blythe of up to three dollars per square foot of cultivation, up to two percent of gross receipts for all other cannabis businesses and an annual business license fee of five thousand dollars to maintain essential public safety and general city services including, but not limited to, police, fire, park and street maintenance, recreation and economic development?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Blythe City Attorney:
| “ |
The City Council of the City of Blythe has placed on the ballot an ordinance (the “Ordinance”) to impose a tax on commercial cannabis activity within the City. The Ordinance will not go into effect unless a majority of those voting on the measure vote “yes.” If approved by the voters, the Ordinance will impose an annual maximum tax of $3 per square foot of space used as a cannabis cultivation area and a maximum tax of 2% of gross receipts and an annual business license fee of 5,000 for those engaged in commercial cannabis activity. As an excise tax, the tax will be paid by cannabis businesses. It is not a sales or use tax imposed directly on cannabis users or consumers. The tax does not apply to the use of cannabis or the cultivation of cannabis for personal use as authorized by state law. The Ordinance authorizes the City Council to adjust the tax rates to an amount below the maximum rate authorized by the Ordinance, and authorizes the City Manager to promulgate rules and procedures to implement and enforce the Ordinance, including procedures to address deficiencies in payment of the tax. The tax imposed by the Ordinance is a general tax under state law, and all taxes collected under the Ordinance will be placed in the City’s general fund and may be used for any City purpose. The amount of revenue to be generated by the tax is undetermined at this time.[2] |
” |
| —Blythe City Attorney[1] | ||
Support
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:[1]
- Dale S. Reynolds, mayor
- Bashar Hasroon
- Leslie Jessop-Watkins
- Rory D. Watkins
- Angel Ramirez
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[1]
| “ |
We urge you to vote “YES” on Measure D to place a tax on all Commercial Cannabis Businesses operating in Blythe. In 2017 the Blythe City Council passed a series of laws to permit and regulate cannabis businesses in accordance with Prop 64. The City Council has begun to issue permits to these businesses which will be operational shortly. In order to collect revenue from this new industry to help our City grow, fund essential public safety services such as police and fire, improve our parks, repair our roads and to mitigate any negative impacts these businesses may bring, we need a YES vote on Measure D. If the measure does not pass by a majority of voters, the City will have no ability to collect revenue from these businesses. This Measure only places a tax on cannabis business operating in the City and is not a tax on local residents. Other cities in California have passed similar taxes and Blythe’s tax at $3 per sq. ft of cultivation and 2% of gross receipts for all other cannabis businesses is very competitive. This will not hinder businesses from opening or operating in Blythe, and could bring a much needed new revenue source to the City and its residents. Let’s help the City of Blythe prosper by voting YES on Measure D on June 5, 2018.[2] |
” |
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Blythe, California.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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State of California Sacramento (capital) |
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