Palm Desert, California, Measure Q, Marijuana Tax (November 2018)
| Measure Q: Palm Desert Marijuana Tax |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 6, 2018 |
| Status: |
 Approved
|
| Topic: |
| Local marijuana tax |
| Related articles |
| Local marijuana tax on the ballot November 6, 2018 ballot measures in California Riverside County, California ballot measures City tax on the ballot |
| See also |
| Palm Desert, California |
A marijuana tax was on the ballot for Palm Desert voters in Riverside County, California, on November 6, 2018. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of authorizing the city to enact a tax on marijuana businesses at the following rates: up to $20 per square foot for cultivation, up to 3 percent of receipts for manufacturing businesses, and up to 15 percent for retail and delivery businesses. |
| A no vote was a vote against authorizing the city to enact a tax on marijuana businesses at the following rates: up to $20 per square foot for cultivation, up to 3 percent of receipts for manufacturing businesses, and up to 15 percent for retail and delivery businesses. |
Election results
|
Palm Desert Measure Q |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
|
|
13,214 | 76.91% | ||
| No | 3,967 | 23.09% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot question
The ballot question was as follows:[1]
| “ |
To improve general City services, such as police/emergency response, parks, youth/senior services, and street repair, shall the City of Palm Desert enact a general tax on cannabis businesses of up to $20 per square foot for cultivation; up to 3% of gross receipts for cannabis manufacturing; and up to 15% of gross receipts for cannabis retail sales and delivery; generating u to $5,430,000 annually for unrestricted general revenue purposes, until ended by voters?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Palm Desert City Attorney:
| “ |
Measure Q was placed on the ballot by the Palm Desert City Council and, if approved by a majority of Palm Desert voters, will amend the Municipal Code to impose a tax on cannabis businesses operating within the City. Measure Q is a tax measure only. It does not amend the City's existing cannabis regulations or authorize new or additional types of cannabis businesses to operate in the City. If approved, Measure Q would impose a maximum tax rate on cannabis businesses of up to twenty dollars ($20) per square foot for cannabis cultivation; up to three percent (3%) of gross receipts for cannabis manufacturing; and up to fifteen percent (15%) of gross receipts for cannabis retail sales and delivery. Measure Q authorizes the City Council to set the actual tax rates, provided that the rates do not exceed the voter-approved maximum rates set by Measure Q. Measure Q would be a "general tax". All revenue from this tax would be used for any unrestricted general revenue purposes including general City operations and services, including police enforcement, emergency response, parks, youth and senior services, and street repair. Pursuant to State Law, a "general tax" requires approval by a majority of the City's voters voting at an election. The City currently allows the following cannabis business types: retail/dispensary, manufacturing, cultivation, delivery, distribution, and testing and research. If approved, Measure Q would impose a tax on all cannabis businesses currently operating in the City. The tax would also apply to any other cannabis businesses that may be allowed in the future by amendments to State law or the Palm Desert Municipal Code. As noted above, Measure Q would not change or expand the number or types of cannabis businesses currently allowed in the City. If approved, Measure Q is anticipated to raise approximately $5,430,000 annually. A "yes" vote on Measure Q will approve the cannabis business tax. A "no" vote on Measure Q will not approve the cannabis business tax.[2] |
” |
| —Palm Desert City Attorney[1] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Palm Desert, California.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Voter's Edge, "Measure Q," accessed October 7, 2018
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
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