Sacramento County voters could legalize and tax marijuana dispensaries. But should they?
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors considered regulations earlier this year that would have finally sanctioned and taxed marijuana businesses in unincorporated areas of the county. But the measure fell short of the supermajority it needed to pass in July, leaving the supervisors who supported it just days to get it on the November ballot.
Measure B, as it’s now known, made the deadline, giving voters a chance to allow marijuana businesses under county jurisdiction and dedicate the revenue to boosting the region’s inadequate response to the homelessness crisis.
Measure B requires the support of two-thirds of voters to pass, which is no small feat. If it is approved, the supervisors will need only a simple majority to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana businesses in the unincorporated areas of the county.
Board chairman and District 5 Supervisor Don Nottoli and District 4 Supervisor Sue Frost both voted against legalizing cannabis last summer. That was enough to kill the measure then, but their votes wouldn’t be decisive if Measure B passes.
The measure deserves support. Legalized cannabis is already a voter-approved reality in California, and legalization was broadly supported by voters expecting sanctioned sales in Sacramento County and beyond. Moreover, county residents are already shopping for marijuana in dispensaries allowed by the city of Sacramento. Sacramento County is letting other jurisdictions collect cannabis and sales tax revenue that could benefit its coffers.
This measure would bring a steady and much-needed boost to the county’s homeless services, helping expand shelter capacity for people in unincorporated areas. County analysts estimate that it would bring in as much as $8 million annually.
Through its cannabis business operations tax, the city of Sacramento has seen marijuana revenues grow from $4.8 million in fiscal 2018 to more than $25 million in 2021, according to the municipal budget. This fall, city voters will have a chance to commit a portion of that revenue to youth programs and make wise investments in future generations of Sacramentans.
Legal cannabis revenue is benefiting the city of Sacramento but not the county. Measure B would put that revenue toward homelessness, the most pressing issue in the county, if voters approve it. They should.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat are editorials, and who writes them?
Editorials represent the collective opinion of The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board.
They do not reflect the individual opinions of board members or the views of Bee reporters in the news section. Bee reporters do not participate in editorial board deliberations or weigh in on board decisions. The same rules apply to our sister publications, The Modesto Bee, Fresno Bee, Merced Sun-Star and San Luis Obispo Tribune.
In Sacramento, our board includes Bee Executive Editor Colleen McCain Nelson, McClatchy California Opinion Editor Marcos Breton, opinion writers Robin Epley, Tom Philp, LeBron Antonio Hill and op-ed editor Hannah Holzer.
In Fresno and Merced, the board includes Central Valley Executive Editor Don Blount, Senior Editor Christopher Kirkpatrick, Opinion Editor Juan Esparza Loera, and opinion writer Tad Weber.
In Modesto, the board includes Senior Editor Carlos Virgen and in San Luis Obispo, it includes Opinion Editor Stephanie Finucane.
We base our opinions on reporting by our colleagues in the news section, and our own reporting and interviews. Our members attend public meetings, call people and follow-up on story ideas from readers just as news reporters do. Unlike objective reporters, we share our judgments and state clearly what we think should happen based on our knowledge.
Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
Tell us what you think
You may or may not agree with our perspective. We believe disagreement is healthy and necessary for a functioning democracy. If you would like to share your own views on events important to the Sacramento region, you may write a letter to the editor (150 words or less) using this form, or email an op-ed (650-750 words) to opinion@sacbee.com. Due to a high volume of submissions, we are not able to publish everything we receive.
Support The Sacramento Bee
These conversations are important for our community. Keep the conversation going by supporting The Sacramento Bee. Subscribe here.
This story was originally published October 10, 2022 at 6:00 AM.