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City of Blythe Marijuana Tax, Measure Z (November 2014)
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A City of Blythe Marijuana Tax, Measure Z ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the city of Blythe in Riverside County, California. It was defeated.
If approved, Measure Z would have imposed a business license charge of $10,000 per year on medical cannabis businesses. The measure also would have imposed a sales tax of 15 percent on all medical cannabis proceeds and an additional tax of $10 per square-foot of cannabis cultivated.[1]
Election results
| Riverside County Measure Z | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 No | 1,010 | 54.74% | ||
| Yes | 835 | 45.26% | ||
- Election results from Riverside County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The question on the ballot appeared as:[1]
| “ |
Shall Ordinance No. 866-14 that would authorize and regulate medical cannabis businesses; charge each medical cannabis business a maximum rate of $10,000 per year for each business license issued; and tax each medical cannabis business at the maximum rate of fifteen cents for each $1.00 of proceeds collected and at a maximum monthly rate of $10 a square foot of cannabis cultivated; be adopted? [2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure Z:[1]
| “ |
Measure “Z” would enact an ordinance to authorize, regulate and tax medical cannabis businesses within the City by amending Chapter 5.22 of Title 5 of the Blythe Municipal Code. These amendments would replace current law, under which both the operation of medical cannabis dispensaries, as well as the cultivation of medical cannabis, are prohibited and unregulated within the City. No more than three medical cannabis businesses would be permitted within the City, subject to change by the City Council. Each medical cannabis business would be required to obtain a permit from the City to operate. A separate permit may be required for cultivation. Permits are revocable for failure to follow regulations. These regulations include: security cameras and security guard, written records on operations and employees; allow City inspections of premises, security camera recordings, and written records; generally not employ anyone convicted of a felony within last ten years; no doctor recommendations on site; generally no minors on site; labeling and packaging regulations; no detectable off-site odors from the operation; use of medical cannabis on-site prohibited; operate on a nonprofit basis; insurance; must discourage and correct nuisance conditions; regulations on edibles, operating hours are to be set by the City; and medical cannabis businesses must indemnify and defend the City from all liability related to their operations. Medical cannabis businesses are subject to three taxes. These are not sales taxes. The taxes are not imposed on the person or patient who acquires medical cannabis. These are general taxes available to fund general municipal services, such as public safety, street and sidewalk repairs, upkeep and development of the City’s parks, water delivery and treatment, and other local governmental functions. Each operation shall pay to the City a maximum cannabis tax of 15 cents for each $1.00 of proceeds, the rate to be set by resolution of the City Council. Each operation shall pay to the City a maximum monthly fee of $10.00 per square foot under active medical cannabis cultivation, the rate to be set by resolution of the City Council. An annual medical cannabis business license fee set by resolution of the City Council, but not to exceed $10,000, shall be required. The new law is subject to amendment by the City Council, without requiring a further vote of the people, to further its purposes. Amendments may include maximum number of dispensaries allowed, process and procedure for securing permits, land use and zoning, and any issue related in whole or in part to maintaining the public health, safety or welfare. The new law shall be read consistent with any statewide regulation of medical cannabis or recreational cannabis that is promulgated by the California legislature or by voter approval in the future, to the fullest extent possible consistent with such statewide regulation, including but not limited to the taxation of cannabis. Measure “Z” was placed on the Ballot by the Blythe City Council. It will be adopted if it is approved by a majority of the voters voting on the measure.[2] |
” |
| —Christian Bettenhausen, Blythe City Attorney[1] | ||
Support
Supporters
- Dan Figueroa, Former Commissioner, Board of Paroles
- Mike Evans, City of Blythe Mayor
- Larry Kelley, Com. VFW
- David Brooks, MD
- Stephen Hohn Sr, Business Owner
Arguments
The following was submitted as the official arguments in favor of Measure Z:[1]
| “ |
Almost 20 years ago, an enlightened California electorate approved medical marijuana use for patients that preferred a less toxic, more natural alternative to prescription medication. The basis of the law was compassion for those suffering from medical illness that found relief in marijuana’s therapeutic properties. Prior to the measure’s passing, those who treated their illness with marijuana were stigmatized as criminals in need of punishment rather than patients suffering from medical conditions. Today, the imputation of wrongdoing towards those who treat their illness with marijuana by those with uneducated, biased and politically-motivated viewpoints, has made it a challenge for patients to obtain medication. For many in Blythe, its a considerable hardship to travel 100 miles to Palm Springs where the closest dispensary is located, The alternative is to buy on the black market, which usually means a “dealer” in one of our residential neighborhoods; oftentimes a dangerous proposition, especially for the elderly. The best solution for all is a well regulated commercial establishment where patients can purchase their medicine in a safe, secure environment. While the naysayers will argue that a dispensary in Blythe will attract crime and get into the hands of children, research has proven these scare tactics to be untrue. A study in Los Angeles County showed that the appearance of a dispensary in town was more often associated with a reduction in crime; and sales are limited to those 21 and older. The argument that it will be a target for robbery is equally dismissed. Banks, liquor stores and gas stations are all targets of robberies — but we don’t ban them from our community. In addition, tax revenue generated by a local dispensary will benefit local law enforcement. It’s time we stood up for those less fortunate than ourselves; please, vote yes on Measure “Z”. [2] |
” |
| —Dan Figueroa, Mike Evans, Larry Kelley, David Brooks and Stephen Hohn Sr[1] | ||
Opposition
Opponents
- Oscar G. Galvan
- Bart Fisher
- Doris Morgan Hayes
- Adolfo Paglinawan
- Joseph DeConinck
Arguments
The following was submitted as the official arguments in opposition to Measure Z:[1]
| “ |
Proponents of this measure would have you believe that they support it for humanitarian reasons to ease pain and suffering. But those who truly need this drug for medical reasons already have options for obtaining whatever they need to ease their suffering. District Attorneys throughout California know that fake medical cards are easy to obtain and that recreational drug users will be purchasing this federally illegal drug from Blythe’s dispensaries. Statistically, there are fewer than 200 medicinal marijuana cardholders, both legitimate and fake, in Blythe. Only 5% of the legitimate cardholders have a debilitating illness. Why, then, the big push to do this? It is disturbing that marijuana purchased from dispensaries in other cities continues to show up at Palo Verde High School in the hands of children. Marijuana is a “gateway” drug, leading to the use of harder drugs. It is addicting, especially among children. The law enforcement community opposes dispensaries as they breed crime. Although legal in Colorado, a majority of communities have enacted bans or moratoriums on commercial marijuana businesses. In Denver, one-third of all crimes are committed within 1,000 feet of dispensaries. A dispensary in Cathedral City was robbed, at gunpoint, with thieves making off with $70,000 worth of marijuana that police indicated would be sold illegally on the street. The American Medical Association considers marijuana “a dangerous drug that should not be legalized for either recreational or medical use”. The American Society of Addiction Medicine considers marijuana a “psychoactive drug that triggers addiction and lifelong chronic brain disease”. Don’t let Blythe become known as a desperate city that approved dispensaries as a last ditch effort to make money. Money alone can never compensate for the increased crime and dangers to Blythe. Contact the Riverside County District Attorney for more information. Preserve Blythe’s integrity; vote NO.[2] |
” |
| —Oscar G. Galvan, Bart Fisher, Doris Morgan Hayes, Adolfo Paglinawan and Joseph DeConinck[1] | ||
See also
- City tax on the ballot
- Local marijuana tax on the ballot
- Riverside County, California ballot measures
- November 4, 2014 ballot measures in California
External links
Footnotes
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