By David Dillon, North County News
Manzanita voters will be asked this fall whether the city should impose a 3% tax on recreational marijuana sales conducted within the city limits. At their July 11 meeting, the city council approved the first reading of an ordinance to put the topic up for consideration during the Nov. 6 election.
The state already imposes a 17% tax on recreational products, but allows cities to impose an additional tax — up to 3% — provided the voters approve it during a statewide general election. Medical marijuana sales are exempted from the tax.
According to the ordinance, funds raised by the new tax would be used as recommended by the city budget committee and adopted by the city council.
A second and final reading of the proposed ordinance is set for the council’s Aug. 8 meeting.