Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
'Yes' on Measure A Cannabis Business Tax Makes Fresno Safer: Olivier
GV-Wire-1
By gvwire
Published 7 years ago on
October 17, 2018

Share

“Whether you agree with the legalization of marijuana or not, it is already here, so it is crucial that we tax this new industry to ensure compliance and to eradicate the black market.”
With that sentence, the supporters of Measure A, the city of Fresno’s cannabis tax, sum up their ballot argument in favor of a new way forward — taxing cannabis businesses in Fresno.

Portrait of Fresno City Councilman Clint Olivier
Opinion
Clint Olivier
What makes this ballot argument so unique is that it is signed by two of the most respected public safety leaders in California: Fresno Fire Chief Kerri Donis and Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.
Donis oversees the biggest municipal fire department in the Central Valley, and to have her name on the list of supporters is a big deal.
But Dyer? He’s one of the most prominent advocates of law and order around. He’s spent decades combating gangs, drug dealers, human traffickers, and drunk drivers. Dyer’s steady hand at the helm of Fresno’s police department has made Fresno safer. So if you’re the chief, or anyone else for that matter, why vote for Measure A?
The answer lies in the jumble that is Proposition 64, the November 2016 ballot measure that was approved by voters statewide and was also victorious in the city of Fresno.

First Step Is Approving a Business Tax

The beauty, or curse, (depending on one’s opinion on the matter) of Prop. 64. is that the law allows cities and counties to chart their own course when it comes to cannabis policy — determining what kinds of businesses are allowed, and which ones are not. Local control is king in the post-Prop. 64 world. Which brings us back to Fresno and Measure A.

What makes this ballot argument so unique is that it is signed by two of the most respected public safety heads in California, Fresno Fire Chief Kerri Donis and Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.
The Fresno City Council voted 7-0 last December to begin the arduous process of licensing medicinal cannabis dispensaries in city limits. Since then, the sub-committee on cannabis has expanded the scope of the proposed regulations to allow the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and testing of cannabis products as well.
A final vote is expected in November, but the city can’t begin collecting tax revenue unless voters first approve a business tax.

Cannabis Tax Revenue for Public Safety

All of the money from this tax will stay in Fresno for the benefit of Fresno.  Measure A will provide greater resources for public safety — eventually $10 million annually, according to city staff. The money will go toward beefing up a law enforcement operation that’s running on a shoestring. Measure A money will be used to hire more police officers for a new drug enforcement task force to crack down on drug dealers who sell heroin, meth, opioids, and illicit cannabis. Human traffickers and gang members are also in the city’s crosshairs.
One final wrinkle: Other Valley cities are coming online with their own cannabis licensed cannabis outlets. If Fresno voters decide to be the only large California city to say “‘no” to a regulated cannabis market, many Fresnans will drive to get their cannabis from licensed shops in those places — enriching surrounding cities at our expense. Those who don’t care about the law will continue to buy from Bulldog gang members and backpack drug dealers here in town. In both cases, no tax revenue is collected, and that’s unacceptable. As Fresnans, we need to take control of our own destiny and protect our neighborhoods.

At least one Merced leader is hoping, tongue-in-cheek, that Fresno’s measure fails. County GOP chair Brian Raymond jokes that he would like it to lose, so “Fresno has to send all that tax revenue up here.”

Other Cities Already Reaping Cannabis Benefits

This past June, Merced residents passed their own cannabis business tax with a whopping 77 percent of the vote. More recently that city granted licenses to four dispensary operators, with relatively little fanfare. Merced officials were on the news talking about the economic benefits and the increased revenue for public safety the stores will provide. Fresno would be wise to follow their lead.
At least one Merced leader is hoping, tongue-in-cheek, that Fresno’s measure fails. County GOP chair Brian Raymond jokes that he would like it to lose, so “Fresno has to send all that tax revenue up here.”
As my grandmother used to say, “Many a true thing is said in jest.”
Let’s keep our tax revenue at home where it can do the most good. Let’s safeguard our neighborhoods first. Let’s vote “Yes” on Measure A.
Clint Olivier represents District 7 on the Fresno City Council.
You can read Kim Castro’s opinion urging a “no” vote on Measure A at this link.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Report US Strikes in the Capital and a Coastal City

DON'T MISS

Progressive Icon and Ex-US Rep. Barbara Lee Wins Race for Mayor of Oakland

DON'T MISS

Humanoid Robots Run a Chinese Half-Marathon Alongside Human Competitors

DON'T MISS

Bakersfield Push to Restore Kern River Seeks to Revitalize City

DON'T MISS

Anti-Trump Protesters Turn Out to Rallies Across Country

DON'T MISS

Universal Studios Fan Fest 2025 to Feature Immersive D&D Attraction and More

DON'T MISS

Thousands Gather in London for Trans Rights Following UK Ruling Over Definition of Woman

DON'T MISS

250 Years After America Went to War for Independence, a Divided Nation Battles Over Its Legacy

DON'T MISS

Greg Cronin Fired as Coach of Anaheim Ducks After 2 Seasons

DON'T MISS

Spring Allergies Are Back. Here’s How to Check Pollen Levels and Keep From Sneezing

UP NEXT

Americans Haven’t Found a Satisfying Alternative to Religion

UP NEXT

Fresno County Pushes Valley to Highest Rates of Domestic Violence Calls in CA

UP NEXT

Mijo Proves Love Is Blind and That One Eye Is More Than Enough

UP NEXT

Hey PG&E Customers, Get Ready for New ‘Transaction Fees’

UP NEXT

Clovis Reconsiders Recycling Vote. Will a Campaign Contribution Matter?

UP NEXT

Gov. Newsom Offers $50K Reward in 2022 Kings County Homicide

UP NEXT

Fresno ‘Powers Up’ the Nation’s Largest Combined Solar and Battery Storage Project

UP NEXT

Vendors Back at Fresno’s Art Hop? Survey Wants to Know What You Think

UP NEXT

Habit Burger & Grill Quietly Drops Impossible Burger From Menu

UP NEXT

What Happens After a Homeless Person Is Arrested for Camping? Often, Not Much

Bakersfield Push to Restore Kern River Seeks to Revitalize City

17 hours ago

Anti-Trump Protesters Turn Out to Rallies Across Country

18 hours ago

Universal Studios Fan Fest 2025 to Feature Immersive D&D Attraction and More

19 hours ago

Thousands Gather in London for Trans Rights Following UK Ruling Over Definition of Woman

20 hours ago

250 Years After America Went to War for Independence, a Divided Nation Battles Over Its Legacy

20 hours ago

Greg Cronin Fired as Coach of Anaheim Ducks After 2 Seasons

21 hours ago

Spring Allergies Are Back. Here’s How to Check Pollen Levels and Keep From Sneezing

21 hours ago

US Small Manufacturers Hope to Benefit From Tariffs, but Some Worry About Uncertainty

21 hours ago

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill More Than 90 People in 48 Hours, Palestinians Say

21 hours ago

US and Iran Advance Nuclear Talks to Expert Level After Rome Meeting

21 hours ago

Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Report US Strikes in the Capital and a Coastal City

CAIRO — Yemen’s Houthi rebels said Saturday that the U.S. military launched a series of airstrikes on the capital, Sanaa, and the Hout...

16 hours ago

16 hours ago

Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Report US Strikes in the Capital and a Coastal City

16 hours ago

Progressive Icon and Ex-US Rep. Barbara Lee Wins Race for Mayor of Oakland

17 hours ago

Humanoid Robots Run a Chinese Half-Marathon Alongside Human Competitors

17 hours ago

Bakersfield Push to Restore Kern River Seeks to Revitalize City

18 hours ago

Anti-Trump Protesters Turn Out to Rallies Across Country

19 hours ago

Universal Studios Fan Fest 2025 to Feature Immersive D&D Attraction and More

20 hours ago

Thousands Gather in London for Trans Rights Following UK Ruling Over Definition of Woman

20 hours ago

250 Years After America Went to War for Independence, a Divided Nation Battles Over Its Legacy

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend