Council hears package to authorize retail marijuana licensing, fees and a new 5% retail-sales tax; zoning and buffer rules under review

City staff on Jan. 14 presented a multi-part package to implement retail marijuana sales and associated regulation following recent ballot action, covering licensing, fees, a 5% retail marijuana sales tax, and land-use rules for retail marijuana facilities.

Lee McCraig of the City Clerk’s Office described the licensing ordinance intended to incorporate retail marijuana into the city’s marijuana business licensing structure. Mona Hajoy, the city’s budget manager, outlined proposed fees and revenue projections. She said proposed fees include a $3,000 medical marijuana application and $3,050 medical renewal; a $4,000 retail marijuana application and $4,050 retail renewal. Using recent license counts and renewal assumptions, Hajoy projected roughly $521,000 from medical license activity and $504,000 from initial retail licensing, for a combined projection of…