Los Angeles County voters in California permitted Measure C on Tuesday, which can impose a tax construction on companies in unincorporated areas of the county as soon as they obtain permits, Los Angeles Each day Information reports.
On the time of writing, nearly 60% of the votes had been in favor of Measure C as the ultimate tallies got here in.
Measure C imposes a number of preliminary tax charges: 4% on gross receipts for retail operations, 3% for manufacturing and distribution, $4 per sq. foot for combined gentle cultivation, and $7 per sq. foot for indoor cultivation. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors might lower or enhance the tax charges throughout the most permitted by the voters after July 1, 2026.
It’s essential to notice that Measure C itself doesn’t legalize hashish gross sales within the county, with extra steps earlier than the business can launch. The Board of Supervisors nonetheless must vote on that, they usually’ve indicated they plan to take action in early 2023.
“All hashish enterprise exercise will stay prohibited within the unincorporated areas of the County till the hashish enterprise allowing program is launched in 2023,” the invoice abstract reads. “This measure would make it authorized for the County to tax the revenues of hashish companies working in these areas. As soon as the allowing program launches, a hashish enterprise operator might want to acquire all of the required permits and licenses from the suitable state and native regulatory companies together with a hashish enterprise allow issued by the Los Angeles County Workplace of Hashish Administration.”
The Workplace of Hashish Administration (OCM) beneath Los Angeles County’s Division of Client and Enterprise Affairs is creating an equitable commercial cannabis program that features allowing and assets for eligible candidates with a proposed launch in late 2023.
“The strategy we’ve adopted will equitably distribute authorized hashish companies in every supervisorial district and specifies that hashish cultivation will solely be permitted indoors—not open air in greenhouses,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said at a latest board assembly.
“Our board should be clear: we is not going to tolerate unlawful hashish operations. Growers who function illegally undermine our efforts to create a regulated and accountable hashish business, and infrequently achieve this on the expense of the agricultural communities I signify. I’m firmly dedicated to upholding the regulation and can corral all obtainable assets to reinforce enforcement and abatement efforts.”
County officers estimate a complete of $10.4 million in tax income that might go to the Los Angeles County Normal Fund and a hashish fairness program that would offer equitable entry for getting into the hashish business.
In the intervening time although, hashish companies stay prohibited in unincorporated areas of the county till the allowing program launches.
Any present or newly established hashish companies within the unincorporated areas should register with the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector inside 30 days of commencing operation as soon as the allowing program has launched or inside 30 days after the efficient date of this ordinance.
Laws are nonetheless being developed, however Los Angeles County employees mentioned the preliminary plan will possible permit for as much as 25 storefront retail hashish companies countywide, 25 supply retail companies, 10 indoor/combined gentle cultivation institutions, 10 manufacturing companies, 10 distribution amenities, and 10 testing laboratories.
An analogous vote additionally occurred close by in San Diego County.
Voters additionally determined whether or not or to not approve Measure A in San Diego County’s unincorporated areas can pay a tax that might generate income going towards authorities companies akin to well being care, fireplace security, and parks.