Stanton

Marijuana, “bed tax” proposals to council

STANTON’S City Council on Tuesday will consider asking voters to approve a tax on marijuana-related businesses (Shutterstock).

The City of Stanton may be placing its bets on marijuana and tourism.

At Tuesday’s meeting, city council members will consider placing two measures on a special municipal election on Nov. 5, 2019 that could raise considerable revenue for city coffers.

On the recommendation of the council’s ad hoc cannabis committee, the full council will mull asking voters to approve a tax on marijuana-related businesses.

The committee was composed of council members Rigoberto Ramirez and Hong Alyce Van. At a meeting in May, the council was told by a consultant that a tax regulating the cultivation, processing and sale of “pot” could reap the city from $725,000 to $1.74 million annually.

Additionally, the council will consider increasing the “bed tax” – officially called the transient occupancy tax – on motels and hotels from 8 percent to 12 percent. Stanton does not have any major hotels, but its Beach Boulevard corridor is home to several motels.

Both ballot measures are being described as being necessary as a “fiscal emergency.”

The council will meet in its chambers in Stanton City Hall, 7800 Katella Ave. at 6:30 p.m.

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