City Council Adopts Tax on Marijuana Sales to Preserve Option If State Ballot Measure Passes in November

CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS TAX ON MARIJUANA SALES TO PRESERVE OPTION IF STATE BALLOT MEASURE PASSES IN NOVEMBER


News Release from City of Wilsonville
Posted on FlashAlert: September 30th, 2014 2:45 PM
WILSONVILLE, OR -- At the September 29, 2014, Wilsonville City Council meeting, the Council concluded a public hearing on Ordinance No. 748 and approved an amended version of the ordinance by a vote of 4 to 1 on second reading. The ordinance, which goes into effect on October 30, imposes a prospective tax on the sale of marijuana and marijuana-infused products in the City of Wilsonville.

The ordinance, which is similar to marijuana taxation ordinances passed recently by the cities of Ashland, Hillsboro and others, imposes a lower tax rate on medical marijuana than that imposed on recreational marijuana products. Prior to adoption, the Council amended the ordinance to increase the tax rates to be imposed from 5% to 7.5% for medical marijuana and from 10% to 12% for recreational marijuana and added a clause that allows the Council by resolution to establish a different tax rate for such products in the future.

City staff indicated that taxing marijuana may cause a reduction in the potential number of sellers in the Wilsonville area, with such sellers electing instead to operate in cities without such a tax.

With the effective date of the ordinance occurring before the vote and potential passage of a related state ballot measure that legalizes recreational marijuana products and preempts local taxation, the City Council action establishes the City's ability to impose a local tax on the sale of marijuana and marijuana-infused products.
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