Global Ganja Report

Los Angeles voters approved a new medical marijuana tax March 8 that proponents say could raise millions of dollars for the city—although the measure was opposed by advocates and opponents of medicinal cannabis alike. Measure M, which passed with 59% of the vote, allows Los Angeles to collect $50 in taxes for every thousand dollars collected by medical marijuana clinics. (KABC, LA, March 9)

Reached for comment by Global Ganja Report, Kris Hermes of Americans for Safe Access (ASA) said that the patients' advocacy organization "is disappointed, but not surprised by the passage of Measure M. Los Angeles is the latest city in a trend to tax the sale of medical marijuana at the local level, preceded by 10 other cities passing ballot measures in November."

"Having to pay nearly 15% in taxes, with the nearly 10% sales tax already levied by the State, patients are bearing a disproportionate burden in the city's attempt to address its economic woes," Hermes says. "The higher tax on an already expensive medicine will almost surely force some low-income patients to resort to the illicit market to avoid paying exorbitantly high prices. Now, at the very least, medical marijuana patients and providers expect a certain level of protection from unwanted law enforcement interference—a chronic problem in Los Angeles."