Portland City Council Discusses Marijuana Tax

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Joanna Evoniuk, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Portland City Council will discuss the possibility of a city marijuana tax at Wednesday’s meeting. The proposed ordinance would tax the sale, transfer, mixing, handling, or serving of recreational and medical marijuana infused products in the city.

Portland is discussing creating a 10 percent tax on all recreational marijuana and marijuana infused products which would not apply to medical marijuana. Another option is a five percent tax on medical marijuana and a 10 percent tax on recreational marijuana.

The City Council explains in the ordinance costs related to the legalization of recreational marijuana will incur, so the tax will raise general revenues and help with any increased costs to city police and other services.

Other cities across the state are setting similar laws, to prepare for Oregon citizens voting if recreational marijuana should be legalized on November 4th. So far almost 30 cities in the state are taking similar steps. Hillsboro passed an ordinance on October 3rd creating a 10 percent local sales tax on recreational marijuana.