Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Columbia County commissioners approved the first reading of an ordinance that will ask voters to impose a 3 percent tax on all marijuana products sold for recreational use outside city limits.
Commissioners voted Wednesday morning, July 6, to refer a measure to voters on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. A second and final reading of the ordinance is scheduled later this month.
If county voters approve, Columbia County would collect 3 percent of sales on recreational marijuana products sold in unincorporated areas within the county. The collection would be in addition to the state's 17 percent tax on recreational marijuana.
The tax would include edibles and topical products for the skin and hair.
Retailers selling cannabinoid products will need to register with the county by filling out a Columbia County marijuana tax registration form. They will then be responsible for collecting a 3 percent tax on all consumer purchases, which is paid to the county quarterly, along with state taxes on recreational marijuana products.
Retailers are allowed to keep 2 percent of the tax revenue they collect as reimbursement for the administrative costs of collecting and remitting the taxes.
Businesses who don't collect or remit any taxes to the county can be charged penalty fees and interest.
All of the local taxes will go to the county's general fund.
The revenue will be used to fund the enforcement of the new ordinance. Anything left over will will be unrestricted general funds, the ordinance states.
During a commission meeting last month, the county treasurer told commissioners that the state's tax revenue from early sales of marijuana has far exceeded initial projections.
The Oregon Department of Revenue reported first quarter tax returns of $10.5 million last month, generated from the roughly 400 businesses permitted to take part in the early recreational sales program.
If approved, the tax would go into effect Jan. 1, 2017.
Columbia County isn't the only jurisdiction pitching a tax to voters.
St. Helens has also drafted an ordinance that will ask voters to approve a tax on marijuana products. The St. Helens City Council is slated to vote on the ordinance later this month.
Neighboring Scappoose is taking an entirely different approach. The city plans to put a measure on the November ballot asking Scappoose residents to ban the sales of recreational marijuana products within city limits. The city currently has a medical marijuana dispensary.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: County On Track To Vote For Marijuana Tax Measure
Author: Courtney Vaughn
Contact: 503-684-0360
Photo Credit: Spotlight
Website: South County Spotlight
Commissioners voted Wednesday morning, July 6, to refer a measure to voters on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. A second and final reading of the ordinance is scheduled later this month.
If county voters approve, Columbia County would collect 3 percent of sales on recreational marijuana products sold in unincorporated areas within the county. The collection would be in addition to the state's 17 percent tax on recreational marijuana.
The tax would include edibles and topical products for the skin and hair.
Retailers selling cannabinoid products will need to register with the county by filling out a Columbia County marijuana tax registration form. They will then be responsible for collecting a 3 percent tax on all consumer purchases, which is paid to the county quarterly, along with state taxes on recreational marijuana products.
Retailers are allowed to keep 2 percent of the tax revenue they collect as reimbursement for the administrative costs of collecting and remitting the taxes.
Businesses who don't collect or remit any taxes to the county can be charged penalty fees and interest.
All of the local taxes will go to the county's general fund.
The revenue will be used to fund the enforcement of the new ordinance. Anything left over will will be unrestricted general funds, the ordinance states.
During a commission meeting last month, the county treasurer told commissioners that the state's tax revenue from early sales of marijuana has far exceeded initial projections.
The Oregon Department of Revenue reported first quarter tax returns of $10.5 million last month, generated from the roughly 400 businesses permitted to take part in the early recreational sales program.
If approved, the tax would go into effect Jan. 1, 2017.
Columbia County isn't the only jurisdiction pitching a tax to voters.
St. Helens has also drafted an ordinance that will ask voters to approve a tax on marijuana products. The St. Helens City Council is slated to vote on the ordinance later this month.
Neighboring Scappoose is taking an entirely different approach. The city plans to put a measure on the November ballot asking Scappoose residents to ban the sales of recreational marijuana products within city limits. The city currently has a medical marijuana dispensary.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: County On Track To Vote For Marijuana Tax Measure
Author: Courtney Vaughn
Contact: 503-684-0360
Photo Credit: Spotlight
Website: South County Spotlight
