Mayor wants more cannabis taxing discretion
By Terry Murry on Thursday, September 19th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – Pendleton Mayor John Turner says he’s not alone when he wants to see the Oregon Legislature fix one of the consequences that befell cities with legalized marijuana businesses when Measure 110 was passed. Fixing the shortcomings that came from Measure 110 is a legislative priority for the League of Oregon Cities as well.
The measure, which decriminalized drug possession, also dedicated all local marijuana revenue to harm reduction services instead of returning the money to the cities where the businesses exist.
“What we would like to see passed is law that allows more flexibility at the city level on how much tax we could charge on recreational marijuana or cannabis products,” turner said.
Even though possession of some drugs was recriminalized by the legislature, the use of taxes was not changed.
“Oregon’s overdose deaths continue to increase and funds that should have been distributed in January of 2021 have still not been delivered,” the League of Oregon Cities writes in its position statement. “Additionally, problems related to drug abuse such as property crime have increased.”
