Compton, California, Measure I, Voter Initiative on Marijuana Businesses (January 2018)

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Measure I: Compton Voter Initiative on Marijuana Businesses
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The basics
Election date:
January 23, 2018
Status:
Defeatedd Defeated
Topic:
Local marijuana
Related articles
Local marijuana on the ballot
January 23, 2018 ballot measures in California
Los Angeles County, California ballot measures
Local business tax on the ballot
See also
Compton, California
A voter initiative on marijuana businesses was on the ballot for Compton voters in Los Angeles County, California, on January 23, 2018. It was defeated.
A yes vote was a vote in favor of allowing marijuana businesses to operate in Compton's limited commercial and commercial manufacturing zones. The initiative was also designed to impose a tax on marijuana businesses of up to 5 percent of gross receipts and $10 per square foot of canopy on marijuana in indoor facilities.
A no vote was a vote against allowing marijuana businesses to operate in Compton's limited commercial and commercial manufacturing zones with a tax on such businesses of up to 5 percent of gross receipts and $10 per square foot of canopy on marijuana in indoor facilities.

Measure I was competing with a city council ordinance on the subject of marijuana businesses, Measure C. The competing measures differed in several parameters, including the business tax rate, cultivation revenue allowances, hiring plan, zoning parameters, and level of city authority to implement or amend the measures. The differences between the competing measures can be viewed here. Both measures were defeated.

When competing measures are placed on a ballot, only one measure can be approved. The measure that receives the most yes votes supersedes the other measure. In this case, both measures were defeated.

Election results

Compton Measure I
ResultVotesPercentage
Defeatedd No2,19876.2%
Yes 684 23.7%
Results from Compton City Elections

Text of measure

Ballot question

The ballot question was as follows:[1]

“

Shall an ordinance be adopted by voter initiative to allow commercial cannabis businesses to operate in the City’s Limited commercial, and Commercial Manufacturing Zones, including retail dispensaries, research and development and delivery businesses, with a business license tax not to exceed 5% percent of gross receipts and $10/per square foot of canopy on cannabis for indoor cultivation facilities? [2]

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Compton City Attorney:[3]

“

Measure I is an initiative that was submitted by a resident of the Compton and qualified for the ballot through a petition process. Medical marijuana dispensaries and uses, including marijuana cultivation, manufacturing of marijuana products and other commercial marijuana businesses of various types are currently illegal in the City of Compton. Measure I would make all such businesses legal in Compton, subject to regulations that are established in the ballot measure.

Measure I would repeal the City’s current ordinances that make these types of businesses illegal, as permitted by State law. This would make various types of medical and commercial marijuana businesses legal in specified parts of the City subject to various conditions. Specifically, the measure proposes to legalize growing of marijuana, processing, manufacturing of marijuana products (such as edibles), testing, medical dispensing, retail sales of marijuana and marijuana products, transporting, delivery, and distributing marijuana and marijuana products for medical and adult use. The initiative calls these uses “Commercial Cannabis Businesses (or Activities).” All Commercial Cannabis Businesses would be required to apply for and be issued permits from the City, as well as any required State licenses or permits.

Proposition 64 permits cities to regulate or prohibit “Commercial Cannabis Businesses.” Measure I would permit and regulate Commercial Cannabis Activities and commercial marijuana growing to operate in the City in the Limited Commercial, Commercial Manufacturing, Limited Manufacturing and Heavy Manufacturing zones, but not in any area zoned exclusively for residential uses. Commercial Cannabis Businesses and growing could not be located within 600 feet of a public or private school, or a public park owned and operated by the City of Compton. Commercial retail cannabis businesses could not be operated within 1000 feet of each other.

Measure I would impose numerous health and safety and operational regulations, business and employment practices to be followed by all Commercial Cannabis Business operators, retail businesses, growers, and employees. The City would be required to issue permits conditionally if the business has applied for (but not been issued) State permits, unless those applications are denied. The measure provides that violations would be misdemeanors. The initiative would create City business license fees on Commercial Cannabis Businesses at a rate not to exceed 5% of gross receipts, and on Cannabis Cultivation (growing) Facilities at a rate not to exceed $10 per square foot, both “as established by ordinance of the City Council.” It is unclear whether any later “ordinance of the City Council” to establish rates would require further voter approval. If passed, Measure I could not be changed or repealed without voter approval.

A “Yes” vote on Measure I would make Commercial Cannabis Businesses legal in the City Compton, subject to regulation. A “No” vote continues to prohibit Commercial Cannabis Businesses in the City. Nothing in Measure I effects State law that makes possession and use of marijuana by individuals 21 and older legal as of January 1, 2018.[2]

”

Full text

The full text of the measure was not included in the voter guide produced by the city of Compton. The guide included this note:[3]

“

If you would like to receive a copy of the full text of Measure I, please contact the office of the City Clerk at (310) 605-5530 and one will be mailed to you.[2]

”

Support

Supporters

The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:[3]

  • Bill Ivey, resident

Arguments in favor

Official argument

The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[3]

“

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF VOTER INITIATIVE TO ALLOW COMMERCIAL CANNABIS BUSINESSES TO OPERATE IN THE CITY OF COMPTON

Compton residents want safe, clean neighborhoods while supporting safe access to medical cannabis for patients with a doctor’s recommendation. Vote Yes on Measure I to protect our youth and patients!

Compton Measure I improves public safety, protects our youth and cleans up our neighborhoods. Measure I establishes sensible regulations for the sale of medical cannabis within city limits. Patients can access safe, affordable medicine with tough lab testing standards for safety.

Most importantly, this measure keeps our kids safe. State identification with proof of age will be required for all purchases, and Compton will have some of the toughest requirements in the state.

Safe Neighborhoods—

Community safety is paramount in this initiative with tough restrictions to keep neighborhoods safe. Measure I:

  • Prohibits dispensaries in areas zoned exclusively for residential use and prohibits operations after 8 p.m.
  • Requires large buffer zones between dispensaries and schools, parks
  • Strictly limits the number of dispensaries by population, currently about 7-10 dispensaries citywide
  • Creates community liaisons to provide immediate response to concerns
  • Legal dispensaries must put in place extensive safety plans and provide security around the clock to deter loitering and to prevent crime.

Funds public safety and community priorities—

Cannabis businesses will pay new taxes under this initiative. Measure I will put millions of dollars into our City’s public safety and local priorities.

Compton residents, patients, public safety officials, and workers who are on the front lines of patient safety support this measure.

This initiative will root out illicit activity from our neighborhoods, protect our citizens, create good-paying jobs and invest in our city’s safety.

Yes on Measure I![2]

”

Opposition

Opponents

The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[3]

  • Gilda Blueford, resident

Arguments in opposition

Official argument

The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[3]

“

You CAN possess up to 28.5 grams of marijuana.

You CAN cultivate up to six marijuana plants in an enclosed structure.

You CAN get medical marijuana from over 1500 dispensaries in Los Angeles alone.

HOWEVER, Measure I is about allowing the marijuana industry to exploit the residents of Compton for millions of dollars in exchange for no more than 5% business tax (Carson charges 18%). Measure I is written by the marijuana business interest for marijuana business interest.

According to the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Volume 5, October 2017 Report:

  • 66 percent of local jurisdictions in Colorado have banned medical and recreational marijuana businesses.
  • Marijuana-related traffic deaths increased 66 percent in the four-year average (2013-2016) since Colorado legalized recreational marijuana compared to the four-year average (2009-2012) prior to legalization.
  • Crime in Denver increased 17 percent and crime in Colorado increase 11 percent from 2013- 2016.

The federal government still considers marijuana a schedule 1 drug. Therefore, the banking industry will not legitimize these businesses. Cash businesses equal robbery targets and a nightmare for our law enforcement.

Protect our CHILDREN. JUST SAY NO TO MEASURE I.[2]

”

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in California

This measure was put on the ballot through a successful initiative petition campaign.

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Compton City, "Notice to Voters," accessed December 16, 2017
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 City of Compton, "Voter Information Guide," accessed January 11, 2018
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