SHOULD WESTMINSTER create a cannabis tax, and raise the “bed tax”?(Shutterstock).

The prospect of imposing a cannabis tax and increasing the “bed tax” guests pay at hotels and motels in Westminster will be discussed at Wednesday’s meeting of the city council.

Under the topic of a “strategic goal: achieve financial stability,” the council will consider a survey of public opinion on two separate potential tax measures: to raise the current 8 percent “transient occupancy tax” and to create a levy on the sale of cannabis – marijuana-derived – products.

Proposed is the use of a combination of phone calls, e-mails and text messages of at least 400 Westminster residents (done in English, Vietnamese and Spanish) to measure public opinion on those concepts.

After the results are tabulated, city staff would provide an update on a potential “TOT” tax increase and the feasibility of creating a cannabis tax, both to be presented to the council in April 2026.

The cost is estimated at $35,000 and it would take about five to six weeks to be finished.

Westminster, like many cities, is facing looming financial challenges. A special concern is the loss of tax revenue to the city due to the closing and pending demolition – except for the Target store – of the Westminster Mall.

Also on the agenda is consideration of converting two tennis courts at Tony Lam Park into eight pickleball courts. The total estimated cost would be $90,000.

The council will meet in closed session at 5 p.m. and open session at 6 p.m. in its chambers at 8200 Westminster Blvd.