Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cannabis Tax topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council sends measure to voters to tax non‑retail cannabis businesses at 4%
Summary
Baldwin Park will ask voters this fall to approve applying the same 4% gross‑receipts tax the city charges retail cannabis to non‑retail operations, a change staff said would reduce disputes and align tax treatment across cannabis business types.
The Baldwin Park City Council voted 5–0 July 15 to place a measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot that would apply a 4% gross‑receipts tax to non‑retail cannabis businesses. City attorneys told the council that the current system treats non‑retail operators under older fee structures tied to development agreements, which has produced disputes and lawsuits.
Citing nine months of staff work, the city attorney said the proposal would equalize taxation and reduce litigation by applying the same 4% tax already in effect for retail cannabis operations. "It was determined that equalizing the taxes for both retail and non‑retail operations would be helpful," the city attorney said.
Council members argued the measure is not intended to burden residents. Council member Alejandra Avila said, "The tax will not be on us. It'll be on the cannabis," adding the revenue would be used for community purposes. Council member Estrada and others framed the proposal as simplifying a previously inconsistent system and reducing administrative disputes.
Procedural note: the council approved a resolution to submit the ordinance to voters; if approved by voters the municipal code would be amended to apply the 4% tax to non‑retail cannabis operations.
Next steps: the resolution directs election‑consolidation steps and places the ordinance on the November 2026 ballot for voter approval.
