Hotel tax, cannabis measures are winning

UPDATE: With all 15 precincts reporting, Measures A and B in Stanton were both passing by wide margins. According to the Orange County Registrar of Voters, vote totals as of midnight were:

• Measure A (Cannabis) Yes 1,666 (67 percent), No 822 (33 percent).
• Measure B (Hotel/Motel Tax): Yes 1,585 (63.5 percent), No 910 (36.5 percent).

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Early returns are showing two ballot measures in Stanton – one raising the “bed tax” on guests at motels and hotels and another a potential tax on future cannabis businesses – winning by big margins.

The Orange County Registrar of Voters reported at 8 p.m. Tuesday that Measure A, which sets rules and tax rates on marijuana-related cultivation, processing and sales. had 1,323 votes (68.7 percent) yes votes with 604 votes (68.7 percent) against.

Measure B, which would raise the taxes paid by visitors to hotels and motels in Stanton, was almost doing as well. Yes votes were 1,266 (65.6 percent) and no votes 665 (34.4 percent).

In both cases only a simple majority – 50 percent plus one – is needed for passage.

If it ends up winning approval, Measure B will increase the city’s transient occupancy tax from 8 percent to 12 percent, potentially bringing in an additional $250,000 in revenue to the city.

Measure A deals with something not yet approved. Currently, commercial sale of recreational cannabis products are not legal in Stanton. But, if the city council decides to legalize it, attracting a major operator such as “Cookies” in Maywood could bring in as much as $1.4 million annually, a consultant has told the city.

Results will be updated as the registrar releases new figures.