La Mesa, Chula Vista Voters Approve Cannabis Sales Taxes

UPDATED: 11:50 a.m., Nov. 12, 2018

All precincts have reported their results of the cannabis measures in San Diego County. All but one of the measures received overall voter approval.

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Voters in La Mesa and Chula Vista appeared to have approved cannabis sales taxes and legalized cannabis retail sales Tuesday.

In La Mesa, voters are being asked to vote on a cannabis business tax. If passed, it would add up to 6 percent tax on marijuana-related sales.

The city of Chula Vista also has a similar cannabis business tax heading to voters. Chula Vista Deputy City Manager Kelley Bacon said it would allow dispensaries in the city.

"If the tax measure passes, we’ll start accepting licenses (for dispensaries) in early January," Bacon said. "If it doesn’t, then they’ll continue to be illegal in Chula Vista."

Measure Q would impose at least a 5 percent but no more than 15 percent tax on pot sales. Back in March, Chula Vista’s city council voted to allow recreational cannabis businesses in the city — but that ordinance is contingent on Measure Q passing. The city said Measure Q could eventually raise $6 million a year, which would go toward shutting down illegal dispensaries.

Voters in Vista will see three cannabis-related measures in November. Measure Z is a citizens initiative that would bring up to 11 medical marijuana storefronts to Vista.

In response the citizens initiative, the Vista City Council put Measure BB and AA on the ballot. Measure BB would allow up to three medical marijuana delivery businesses in the city, with no storefronts. Measure AA would tax marijuana between 3.5 percent for testing and up to 12 percent for retail stores.