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SLO County votes to allow marijuana retail shops

September 28, 2023

By KAREN VELIE

San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 on Tuesday to move forward with permitting marijuana retail shops in county areas as a way to recharge the county’s failing cannabis industry, with supervisors Debbie Arnold and John Peschong dissenting.

Currently, SLO County tax payers are funding shortfalls in permitting and regulating the cannabis industry. During this calendar year, staff estimates more than $1 million will be needed from the general fund to subsidize the cannabis industry.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Supervisor Jimmy Paulding said that the county could begin generating revenue rather than subsidizing the industry by allowing pot shops in county areas. Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg agreed, noting they could garner some of the retail pot taxes cities collect. Grover Beach, San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay currently permit retail pot shops.

On June 20, the board voted to lower the cannabis tax rate to 6% rather than raising it to a voter approved 10%, with Arnold dissenting.

As the result of lowering the tax rate, staff now estimates the county will need to spend $1,008,727 to subsidize the cannabis industry during the 2023-2024 tax year, according to the staff report. The county expects to collect $1,565,180 in cannabis fees and taxes and to spend $2,573,907 to manage the program.

On Tuesday, the board voted to direct staff to bring back changes to cannabis regulations to allow retail marijuana shops in the county, to extend delivery hours until 10 p.m. and to have the five year permitting start at the time of approval and not at the date on the application.

 


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It will be interesting to see if they allow Helios Dayspring to use his organized crime front groups like Megan’s Organic Market aka MOMs and SLOCAL ROOTS to open more store fronts. Especially after it was discovered they defrauded the City and Residents of San Luis Obispo. If we see the names Eric Powers, Megan Souza, or Nick Andre appearing anywhere time to start investigating.


6

Remember the song, “Come and Get It” by Badfinger (1969): If you want it, here it is, come and get, make you mind up fast. Did I here you say that there must be a catch. Would you walk away from a fool and his money——–Obviously the B of S is accommodating (thence the appearance of encouraging) for fiscal reasons. El Chapo did the same thing to support his community at the expense and demand of today’s unhoused.


5

How about a proposition that says government entities can only spend money to regulate the cannabis industry equal to the revenue taken in from the cannabis industry, in other words cut the costs, such as compensation, to regulate and administer the cannabis industry.


23

What they need to do is start teaching kids that Marijuana is good for you. (sarcsm)


14

The cannabis industry suffers from regulatory excess, high fees, and taxes, all generated by an expensive County superstructure, with many positions paid outrageous salaries. Then this legit cannabis industry then must compete with an already in place black market. What could go wrong?


32

What on earth is the County spending 2.5 million dollars on in relation to pot shops?

Issue a business license and stay out of the way. That would cut taxes for County residents, at 6-10% a transaction, create jobs, and save the County budget, and taxpayers, 2.5 mil.

In local government, the cream really doesn’t rise to the top.


54

This is a prime example of Government at work they always spend more money than they get in and that’s why the country is in a Trillions of dollar debt. I know people get relief from medical cannabis use but this is rediculous


20