HomeMy WebLinkAbout031516 Marijuana Tax Referral_Res_Atch
EXHIBIT A
City of Ashland, Ballot Measure, November 8, 2016, General Election
Approval of an ordinance establishing a tax on the sale of recreational marijuana and
marijuana-infused products in the City of Ashland.
Caption:
Approving a 3% Ashland sales tax on recreational marijuana
Total 9 words (10 words permitted per ORS 250.035)
Question:
Shall Ashland voters enact a Council-approved ordinance establishing a 3% tax on
recreational marijuana sold by a licensed marijuana retailer?
Total 20 words (20 words permitted per ORS 250.035 20)
Summary:
The Ashland City Council approved an ordinance establishing a tax of 3% on the sale of
recreational marijuana and recreational marijuana-infused products by OLCC-licensed
retail outlets within the city limits. Under state law, this ordinance does not become
effective unless approved by the voters.
The 3% tax rate is the maximum a city can assess under state law. The tax applies only
to the sale of recreational marijuana and recreational marijuana-infused products in
OLCC-licensed retail outlets. It does not apply to sales of medical marijuana in
dispensaries licensed by the Oregon Health Authority. The local tax is over and above
the 17% state tax that will be applied to sales of recreational marijuana effective October
1, 2016.
Total 117 words (175 words permitted per ORS 250.035)
Explanatory Statement:
Passage of this ballot measure enacts an ordinance approved by the Ashland City Council
imposing a 3% tax on the sale of recreational marijuana and recreational marijuana-
infused products in OLCC-licensed outlets in the city.
The voters of the State of Oregon in November 2014 approved ballot measure 91
legalizing the possession, cultivation and sale of marijuana by adults aged 21 and older.
The Oregon Legislature in 2015 approved House Bill 2041 imposing a state tax of 17%
on recreational marijuana sales effective October 1, 2016 and giving Oregon cities the
right to impose a sales tax of up to 3% on the sale of recreational marijuana and
marijuana-infused products by OLCC-licensed retail outlets, if such tax is approved by
the voters in a general election. This tax revenue, if approved, would go into the City’s
General Fund, which pays for services such as Police, Fire and Parks. These taxes apply
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only to recreational marijuana and not to medical marijuana, which is sold in dispensaries
licensed by the Oregon Health Authority.
It is unknown how much money would be generated by a local marijuana tax, as the tax
is dependent on the number of licensed retail outlets in Ashland, the price of the
marijuana sold and the volume of sales. The City’s 2015-17 biennial budget includes a
placeholder figure of $1,000 for marijuana tax collections, with the money going to the
City’s General Fund.
Result of a “No” Vote
If this measure does not pass, Ashland will be unable to impose a tax on the sale of
recreational marijuana and recreational marijuana-infused products at OLCC-licensed
retail outlets in the City at this time. The 17% state tax would continue to be imposed
after October 1, 2016.
Total 288 words (500 words permitted per ORS 246.150, 251.305 & 251.325 500)
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