The wording of the Visalia Cannabis Tax Authorization for Maintenance of Essential Services measure has been edited by city council members in order to qualify for the Nov. 5 ballot.
The amended version, which council approved at its July 15 meeting, is necessary to meet the California Elections Code’s 75-word maximum for ballot language, and to provide additional clarifying information about the need for the measure and potential uses of the funds.
The previous version, approved at the council’s June 3 meeting, actually had 76 words due to “$10/square” being two words according to the California Election Code, Section 9.
The new version simply deletes the word “and” from “and which would only be levied if state law mandates,” lowering the final word count to the 75-word maximum.
The measure, if adopted by a majority of voters, would tax cannabis businesses at a rate not exceeding 10% of gross receipts, or up to $10 per square foot for cultivation, and require spending disclosures. If the measure passes, the tax will only be levied if state law mandates or the city council approves an ordinance allowing cannabis retail business operations within Visalia city limits.
