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Voters in this Colorado River city will decide on Election Day whether to give their town's officials power to tax marijuana dispensaries.
Councilwoman Linda Kidd, who wrote the ballot argument in favor of the referendum, Measure S, said the issue is less about city government or Needles citizens endorsing medical marijuana than it is about fixing a hole in city law.
"We don't have any ordinance on our books right now to issue them a business license that we would issue to any other business in the city," Kidd said.
If Measure S passes, the Needles council would be able to impose a maximum 10 percent tax on a dispensary's sales receipts. The council, which governs a city of about 7,800 people, could set the tax rate after voters approve the measure, if they do so.
California law already requires dispensaries to pay sales tax and receive a seller's permit from the Board of Equalization.
The measure also calls for audits of dispensaries' finances. The website THC Finder.com lists four medical marijuana providers operating in Needles, but two of the listed telephone lines were no longer active.
Attempts to reach the other persons at the other two listed dispensaries were not successful.
Kidd said that as many as three dispensaries have operated in the city, but she does not believe any of them are currently open.
No parties have filed a statement against Measure S with the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters Office.
Medical marijuana opponent Paul Chabot, however, said he disagrees with the notion of cities taxing cannabis dispensaries. He said cities should not oppose the federal ban on marijuana and any actions that may appear to legitimize marijuana use set a bad example.
"This sends the wrong message. If adults can't say `no,' how can kids say `no' to this?" asked Chabot, who is president of Coalition for a Drug Free California.
California voters approved the medicinal use of marijuana in 1996 by passing Proposition 215, but state laws related to the medical use of cannabis are not always clear.
The California Supreme Court has yet to hear a case involving the Upland's conflict with a dispensary, G3 Holistic. The court's ruling is expected to clarify whether cities have the power to outlaw dispensaries.
Although many dispensaries operate in broad daylight - some post green crosses at storefronts to advertise medical marijuana - any marijuana use remains illegal under federal law.
In another case, G3 Holistic owner Aaron Sandusky was convicted earlier this month on violating federal marijuana laws and faces 10 years to life in prison. Sandusky is set to be sentenced in January.
Federal officers raided the dispensary in November, despite previous statements from the Obama administration that federal authorities would not pursue cases against medical marijuana providers where state law allows medical use of cannabis.
Although Needles voters are being asked to solve a relatively technical issue related to marijuana, voters in three states can consider whether to legalize cannabis.
Ballot measures in Washington, Oregon and Colorado seek to legalize marijuana this election.
California voters rejected a legalization measure in 2010.
The Colorado measure held a 48 percent to 43 percent lead in a Denver Post/Survey USA poll reported on Oct. 15.
Marijuana Policy Project spokesman Morgan Fox said the Colorado and Washington measures have a realistic chance of passing.
"I highly think there's a good chance that one, if not two states will pass their legalization measures," he said.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: contracostatimes.com
Author: Andrew Edwards
Contact: Contact Us - ContraCostaTimes.com
Website: Needles voters to consider marijuana tax measure - ContraCostaTimes.com
Councilwoman Linda Kidd, who wrote the ballot argument in favor of the referendum, Measure S, said the issue is less about city government or Needles citizens endorsing medical marijuana than it is about fixing a hole in city law.
"We don't have any ordinance on our books right now to issue them a business license that we would issue to any other business in the city," Kidd said.
If Measure S passes, the Needles council would be able to impose a maximum 10 percent tax on a dispensary's sales receipts. The council, which governs a city of about 7,800 people, could set the tax rate after voters approve the measure, if they do so.
California law already requires dispensaries to pay sales tax and receive a seller's permit from the Board of Equalization.
The measure also calls for audits of dispensaries' finances. The website THC Finder.com lists four medical marijuana providers operating in Needles, but two of the listed telephone lines were no longer active.
Attempts to reach the other persons at the other two listed dispensaries were not successful.
Kidd said that as many as three dispensaries have operated in the city, but she does not believe any of them are currently open.
No parties have filed a statement against Measure S with the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters Office.
Medical marijuana opponent Paul Chabot, however, said he disagrees with the notion of cities taxing cannabis dispensaries. He said cities should not oppose the federal ban on marijuana and any actions that may appear to legitimize marijuana use set a bad example.
"This sends the wrong message. If adults can't say `no,' how can kids say `no' to this?" asked Chabot, who is president of Coalition for a Drug Free California.
California voters approved the medicinal use of marijuana in 1996 by passing Proposition 215, but state laws related to the medical use of cannabis are not always clear.
The California Supreme Court has yet to hear a case involving the Upland's conflict with a dispensary, G3 Holistic. The court's ruling is expected to clarify whether cities have the power to outlaw dispensaries.
Although many dispensaries operate in broad daylight - some post green crosses at storefronts to advertise medical marijuana - any marijuana use remains illegal under federal law.
In another case, G3 Holistic owner Aaron Sandusky was convicted earlier this month on violating federal marijuana laws and faces 10 years to life in prison. Sandusky is set to be sentenced in January.
Federal officers raided the dispensary in November, despite previous statements from the Obama administration that federal authorities would not pursue cases against medical marijuana providers where state law allows medical use of cannabis.
Although Needles voters are being asked to solve a relatively technical issue related to marijuana, voters in three states can consider whether to legalize cannabis.
Ballot measures in Washington, Oregon and Colorado seek to legalize marijuana this election.
California voters rejected a legalization measure in 2010.
The Colorado measure held a 48 percent to 43 percent lead in a Denver Post/Survey USA poll reported on Oct. 15.
Marijuana Policy Project spokesman Morgan Fox said the Colorado and Washington measures have a realistic chance of passing.
"I highly think there's a good chance that one, if not two states will pass their legalization measures," he said.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: contracostatimes.com
Author: Andrew Edwards
Contact: Contact Us - ContraCostaTimes.com
Website: Needles voters to consider marijuana tax measure - ContraCostaTimes.com
