Berkeley Pursues Pot Tax Ballot Measure
Berkeley is looking to marijuana for additional tax revenue, and several California cities are considering similar measures.
California has already legalized medical marijuana, and in November voters will decide if recreational pot should be legal.
"If it passes, we want to be prepared, and have a tax on that," said Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates. "We're putting forward a 10 percent tax on marijuana that we use for pleasure."
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Proposed changes to the marijuana ordinance include regulations for residential and non-residential cultivation and licensing. Medical marijuana could be taxed up to 2.5 percent.
"Last year they reported gross sales of $19 million, for a cash-only business," said Bates.
Brad Senesac with the marijuana collective Berkeley Patients Group, takes issue with the taxes on medical marijuana.
"Most medications, prescription drugs, are not taxed, but we have medical cannabis being taxed, so this is a fight across the entire state, not just in Berkeley," said Senesac.
Long Beach, Sacramento and San Jose are considering similar measures that would tax collectives. Oakland has taxed licensed dispensaries since 2008.
