Measure O

Cannabis Tax Authorization for Maintenance of Essential Services

11.6.24 Update

Measure O, a measure on the November 5, 2024 General Election, is included in the Tulare County Elections Election Summary Report - Tulare County Final Election Night Results Report dated November 5, 2024. That report can be found here.

Per the California Secretary of State, ballots continue to be counted after Election Day during the official canvass period. County elections officials must complete final official results on December 5, 2024 and the Secretary of State will certify results on December 13, 2024.

Information on Measure O

In 2022, the State of California passed SB 1186, a law in California that sets rules about where cannabis businesses can be located and ensures they follow certain regulations.

The City of Visalia is always keeping an eye on the future – planning how it can best support its residents and maintain the highest standards of living while also adhering to State law. In response to SB 1186, the Visalia City Council recently adopted a resolution to place Measure O: The Visalia Cannabis Tax Authorization for Maintenance of Essential Services on the November 5, 2024, ballot.

Measure O allows Visalia residents to vote on taxing cannabis businesses and funnel any revenue that is received into the General Fund. Currently, there are no cannabis businesses located in Visalia but a recent state law now allows certain types of medical cannabis businesses to be in Visalia. If Measure O is passed, then it would apply to businesses that are allowed to locate in Visalia under State law, or if the City Council chooses to adopt an ordinance allowing other types of cannabis businesses to operate within City limits. Measure O is intended to prepare the City in case state or local requirements change and more types of cannabis businesses are allowed in Visalia.

Currently, cannabis businesses are still illegal in the City of Visalia, but public officials are attempting to consider future State mandates and to best manage the needs of Visalia. In the event of a state mandate or City Council ordinance allowing cannabis businesses in Visalia, City officials wanted to ensure that they have the funds to cover essential services and any increase in needs that these businesses may bring.

Measure O: The Visalia Cannabis Tax Authorization for Maintenance of Essential Services will allow Visalia residents to vote on taxing cannabis businesses at a rate not exceeding 10% of gross receipts or up to $10 per square foot for cultivation. The money levied from this tax will go directly into the City’s general fund. This measure also includes provisions for mandatory spending disclosures. If Measure O is approved, and additional types of cannabis businesses are allowed by State law mandates or future City Council decision, then Measure O could generate approximately $500,000 per year.

The proposed tax will only be levied if State law mandates it or if the City Council passes an ordinance permitting these types of businesses to operate within Visalia. The revenue generated from this tax could be utilized to find fund a variety of general governmental services including, but not limited to:

Prevent property crime
Maintain quick emergency police and fire response times
Keep public areas safe and clean
Support youth programs
Road improvement projects

Measure O: Cannabis Tax Authorization for Maintenance of Essential Services will appear on your ballot as:

Shall the measure to fund general governmental services such as public safety, emergency response, youth programs, addressing homelessness, and maintaining public spaces, by taxing cannabis businesses at a rate not exceeding 10% of gross receipts, or up to $10/square foot for cultivation, raising approximately $500,000 annually, requiring spending disclosures, and which would only be levied if state law mandates or the Council approves an ordinance allowing such businesses, lasting until ended by voters, be adopted?

Resources

Learn more about Measure O through these education sources.

Measure O Education Flyer

FAQs

Q: Does the city currently have any plans to allow retail cannabis businesses in Visalia?
A: No, there is no specific plan to move ahead with allowing cannabis retail operations unless the State mandates it.

Q: Where would the money from this tax be spent?
A: The money from Measure O would go directly into the City’s general fund. The funds would then be kept local and are available for the City to invest in Visalia.

Q: What types of services would this tax fund?
A: If Measure O passes, it would aid in funding essential city services like public safety, quick emergency response times, recreational programs, public works projects and more.

Q: Where can I learn more about SB 1186 - the bill that opens the door to state mandates for cannabis business allowance in cities?
A: To learn more about SB 1186, please visit https://www.calcities.org/resource/faq-the-medicinal-cannabis-patients-right-of-access-act

Q: Does the City currently ban cannabis sales in Visalia?
A: No, residents are allowed to purchase cannabis from stores operating outside City limits and have the cannabis delivered to their homes in Visalia. However, the City does ban retail or storefront sale of cannabis in city limits. Additionally, per the state mandate of SB 1186, the City now allows delivery only (non-storefront) medical marijuana retail establishments to operate within the city with the adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-13 for Zoning Text Amendment No. 2023-02. This ordinance established objective standards and reasonable zoning regulations for this type of business to operate within the city. As of July 2024, there are no such businesses established within the city.

Q: How can I vote on Measure O: The Cannabis Tax Authorization for Maintenance of Essential Services?
A: You can vote on this measure during the November 5, 2024 election. For more information about voting in Tulare County, please visit Tulare County Elections online here.