Barstow, California, Measure F, Cannabis Business Tax (March 2020)

Barstow Measure F
Election date March 3, 2020
Topic Local marijuana tax
Status d Defeated
Type Referral	Origin Lawmakers
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A measure authorizing a tax on cannabis businesses was on the ballot for Barstow voters in San Bernardino County, California, on March 3, 2020. It was defeated.

A "yes" vote supported authorizing a special tax of 15% on cannabis businesses gross receipts and on property used for cultivation.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing a special tax of 15% on cannabis businesses gross receipts and on property used for cultivation.

A two-thirds (66.67%) vote was required for the approval of Measure F.

Election results

Barstow Measure F
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		1,767	55.58%
No		1,412	44.42%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot question

The ballot question was as follows:

“

Shall the measure imposing a cannabis special tax of up to 15% of cannabis businesses gross receipts and up to $30 per square foot of cultivation space to raise approximately $100,000 a year until voters decide otherwise, with fifty percent of the proceeds used for law enforcement and fifty percent for other city services, be adopted, with voter approval also approving commercial cannabis businesses as a regulated land use in the City of Barstow?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Barstow City Attorney:

“ Summary: The City Council has placed the Cannabis Business Special Tax Measure on the ballot, which would enact a cannabis business license special tax on the gross receipts of adult-use and medicinal cannabis businesses operating in the City. If approved by two-thirds of voters, the measure would amend the Barstow Municipal Code to add Title 3, Chapter 3.33, Cannabis Business Tax, allowing the City of Barstow to impose the tax. If the voters approve the cannabis tax, then the companion ordinance allowing cannabis businesses will also take effect, permitting cannabis businesses to operate in specified parts of Barstow if approved by a land-use permit. Background: In 1996, California voters approved Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, to allow qualified patients to use marijuana for medical purposes. In 2016, California voters approved Proposition 64 to allow adults 21 years old and older to use cannabis recreationally. This state law also created a state regulatory system governing the cannabis industry. Proposition 64 and state law impose sales and other taxes on recreational cannabis and some medical cannabis entities and allow cities and counties to regulate cannabis businesses and, with voter approval, to tax them. The City Council of the City of Barstow adopted a resolution submitting this proposed tax to voters. At the same time, the City Council also adopted an ordinance regulating cannabis businesses, requiring land use permits, and specifying allowed locations, operating restrictions, and security and public safety protection requirements for cannabis businesses in Barstow. This land use ordinance only takes effect if the voters approve this proposed cannabis tax. The Measure: The City Council put this measure on the ballot to allow voters to approve a tax on cannabis businesses in the City. If approved, persons growing cannabis would pay a maximum yearly tax of thirty dollars ($30) per square foot of grow area or cultivation space. Other cannabis businesses would pay a tax of up to fifteen (15%) percent of yearly gross receipts (all money received). The City Council could set the taxes at or below these maximum rates. The City expects the tax to raise approximately one-hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) per year. This is a special tax, requiring fifty percent of the revenues raised to be used for law enforcement and fifty percent to be used for other general City services. The tax has no expiration date, but voters could reduce or repeal it at any election. Yes/No Statement: A 'yes' vote supports imposing the tax. A 'no' vote opposes it. A two-thirds majority of votes cast will approve or defeat the measure. ”

Full text

The full text of the measure is available here.

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in California

This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the Barstow City Council.

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2020
• Local marijuana tax on the ballot
• Local business tax on the ballot
• San Bernardino County measures

California

• March 3, 2020 measures in California
• Local ballot measures, California
• Barstow, California

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic
• San Bernardino County Elections Office website