Coalinga, California, Authorize, Regulate, and Tax a Single Marijuana Dispensary, Measure G (November 2016)
| Measure G: Coalinga Authorize, Regulate, and Tax a Single Marijuana Dispensary |
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| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 Approved
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| Topic: |
| Local marijuana |
| Related articles |
| Local marijuana on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California Fresno County, California ballot measures Local marijuana tax on the ballot |
| See also |
| Coalinga, California |
A measure to establish and tax one marijuana dispensary in the City of Coalinga was on the ballot for Coalinga voters in Fresno County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of establishing a marijuana dispensary in the City of Coalinga and taxing it at the rate of 10 percent of the gross receipts. |
| A no vote was a vote against establishing a marijuana dispensary in the City of Coalinga and taxing it at the rate of 10 percent of the gross receipts. |
Election results
| Measure G | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 1,676 | 53.75% | ||
| No | 1,442 | 46.25% | ||
- Election results from Fresno County election results
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
SHALL THE CITY OF COALINGA AUTHORIZE AND REGULATE A SINGLE MARIJUANA DISPENSARY TO BE LOCATED IN THE CITY OF COALINGA AND, IF AUTHORIZED, IMPOSE A DISPENSARY GROSS RECEIPTS TAX, AS SET FORTH IN ORDINANCE NO. 789?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Coalinga City Attorney:
| “ |
This measure was placed on the ballot by the City Council of the City of Coalinga. This measure seeks to amend the City of Coalinga's prohibition related to marijuana dispensaries within city limits. This measure, if approved by a majority of the voters, will enact an ordinance that authorizes a single marijuana dispensary in the City of Coalinga. The location has not been determined. If a majority of voters approve a single marijuana dispensary, it would be taxed at the rate of 10% of gross receipts. No other marijuana dispensaries would be allowed in the City of Coalinga. Revenues from the tax would be deposited in the City's general fund which is used to pay for police and fire protection, senior and youth programs, street repairs, code enforcement, employee salaries and benefits and other City services. The City of Coalinga has an overall deficit that exceeds $3,000,000.00. A "yes" vote on this measure is a vote to approve a single marijuana dispensary in the City of Coalinga and to approve a tax on that single marijuana dispensary at the rate of 10% of gross receipts. A "no" vote is a vote to reject the establishment and taxing of a single marijuana dispensary in the City of Coalinga. [2] |
” |
| —Coalinga City Attorney[3] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure is available here.
Support
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:[4]
- Marissa Trejo, City Manager, City of Coalinga
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[5]
| “ |
A marijuana dispensary in the City of Coalinga would help patients who are unable to grow or acquire marijuana from other sources. The operation of a single dispensary in the City of Coalinga would provide the City with additional tax revenue. The City of Coalinga has an overall deficit that exceeds $3,000,000.00. [2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[6]
- Roger Campbell, Retired Superintendent Coalinga-Huron Unified School District
- Gregory J. Delano, Coalinga High School and West Hills Community College Instructor
- Margo S. Perkins, Principal Coalinga High School
- Ron Lander, Coalinga Councilman
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[7]
| “ |
The proposed marijuana dispensary will damage our quality of life and strain our law enforcement resources. As a result of dispensaries in other communities, businesses and residents have complained of vandalism, increased traffic, trash, public urination, unwanted foot traffic and drug use in the area of these drug trafficking businesses. Those living near the dispensaries were afraid to walk in their own neighborhoods. We cannot have drug deals condoned by our own City. What message does that send to our children? What kind of community will we have if drug use is tolerated? Growing and distributing marijuana is against federal law. Condoning those activities locally does not change that fact. Openly permitting the sale of illegal drugs will change the family nature of the community of Coalinga. Marijuana use by youth in Fresno County is already on the rise. In a 2014/15 report there were 1,852 youths seeking treatment for drug addiction. Of these, 69% were seeking treatment for marijuana addiction. A permissive City and community attitude toward an illegal drug not only leads to increased use by youth but has negative workplace impacts as well. Drug use in the workplace have consequences for employers including safety, employee impairment and the resulting lost productivity. A permissive culture that makes drugs readily available negatively impacts the workplace. Where will a dispensary be located? Next to a school or daycare, a church, your business or near your home? There is no mention of medical need or compassion, only the need to earn money from drug trafficking and sales to fund government.[2] |
” |
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Coalinga, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Coalinga Local marijuana. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Coalinga City Council, "Resolution No. 3727," accessed September 29, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Coalinga City Attorney, "City of Coalinga Tax on Single Dispensary Impartial Analysis," accessed September 29, 2016
- ↑ Fresno County, "City of Coalinga Tax on Single Dispensary Argument in Favor," accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ Fresno County, "City of Coalinga Tax on Single Dispensary Argument in Favor," accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ Fresno County, "City of Coalinga Tax on Single Dispensary Argument Against," accessed September 30, 2016
- ↑ Fresno County, "City of Coalinga Tax on Single Dispensary Argument Against," accessed September 30, 2016
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