Long Beach Approves Medical Marijuana Tax–Before It's Actually Legal

A new Long Beach, California, proposition, Measure A, which approves a tax on medicinal marijuana, has passed, reports the Los Angeles Times, 74% to 26%. Although medical marijuana dispensaries are illegal in Long Beach, if they are legalized, the tax would be imposed. Despite the ban on the shops, four to six shops are already publicly doing business.

The tax would have a double-pronged approach; cultivation sites would be taxed by the square foot. The minimum tax would be $15 per year, with a possible hike to $50 per square foot. If there were to be regional inflation, the tax would be raised. The second avenue for taxation would be gross sales; they could range from 6% to 10%.

The revenue raised from the tax would be deposited in the city’s general fund, which would likely be allotted for emergency services, infrastructure, and parks. Those supporting the tax believe the inherent message of the tax proposal makes medical marijuana more legitimate. But opponents say the tax is too high and force medical marijuana to be too expensive.