Scappoose residents will be asked to vote on both a ban of recreational marijuana businesses and a sales tax on those same businesses after a narrow vote by the Scappoose City Council Monday, Aug. 1.
Councilors voted 4-3, with Mayor Scott Burge and Councilors Joel Haugen and Rich Riffle opposed, to put a measure on the November ballot proposing a ban on recreational marijuana retail sites, along with all marijuana processing, commercial production and wholesale operations – whether recreational or medical.
The council was slated to vote on the issue last month, but delayed its vote to allow more time for research.
If we prohibit recreational marijuana within the confines of the city, its not gonna go away, Councilor Joel Haugen said. Haugen has been the most vocal opponent of the ballot measure. If this should pass, were gonna forgo that [sales tax] revenue. Is that something we really wanna do?
In contrast, Councilor Jason Meshell has advocated for the measure.
Monday, he presented his own version of ballot language that he said would make the provisions more clear to voters.
There has been quite a bit of confusion I think, in the city, the difference between medical marijuana and recreational marijuana, Meshell noted, presenting his own draft of a ballot title. The summary would specifically call out that this ordinance does not affect medical marijuana dispensaries.
Despite its divide on whether to pitch a marijuana ban to voters, the council voted in unison to also pitch a 3 percent sales tax on any recreational marijuana sales in city limits, in the event voters dont approve the ban.
The proposed prohibition on new marijuana businesses would not impact the citys sole existing medical marijuana dispensary, located on Highway 30.
In November 2014, Oregon voters approved marijuana for recreational use. Last year, the law went into effect and existing medical marijuana dispensaries were permitted to sell products for recreational use on a temporary basis.
Meshell said the tax was good to have in place, regardless of whether residents vote to prohibit recreational sales.
This reminds me of a tax we have on hotels, Meshell said. Its on the books, if we ever get a hotel here.
The state allows local governments to impose a sales tax of up to 3 percent on recreational sales, in conjunction with a permanent state sales tax of 17 percent that takes effect January 2017. As of Jan. 4, the state has imposed a temporary 25 percent tax on recreational marijuana sales.
Medical marijuana products are not taxed.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Scappoose Voters To Decide Marijuana Ban And Tax In November
Author: Courtney Vaughn
Contact: 971-204-7714
Photo Credit: AP
Website: Portland Tribune
