What Should We Do With the Cannabis Tax?

Money and marijuana featurePress release from the County of Humboldt:

Humboldt County Seal 2017On November 2016, Humboldt County voters passed Measure S which places a tax on individuals who cultivate cannabis for commercial purposes. Now, as the county prepares for the impacts of this measure and newly legalized industry, the Board of Supervisors wants to hear from you. They want to know your priorities for funds generated by this tax.

The Board is now accepting online comments regarding Measure S via the county’s Open Humboldt discussion forum.

There, you will find background information on the measures, as well as some information

The county estimates Measure S will produce around $2.2 million in revenue in Fiscal Year 2017-18.

Submit your feedback

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Charles
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Charles
7 years ago

What should we do with the pot tax? You must be so naive to even ask.

Legalized pot will bring so many more problems to Eureka with the criminal element, zombies walking our streets, stoned drivers and the like whatever little money left over after paying for government workers doing the paperwork should be used for law enforcement, for building new jail cells & paying for new mental health workers to handle all the new misery.

Guest
Guest
Guest
7 years ago
Reply to  Charles

What should we do with the Cannabis Tax? Raise it. Real high. The black market can carry the load.

AnonymousHumboldtian
Guest
AnonymousHumboldtian
7 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Taxes don’t affect the black market genius. High taxes helps it thrive.

Ezra
Guest
Ezra
7 years ago

maybe that was his point in a reverse psychology sort of way.

maryellen
Guest
maryellen
7 years ago

Southern Humboldt…because there are almost no services here..
Quality Mental Health
Drug and alcohol Rehab
Money for more teachers and school support art and music..
low income housing

for starters..

jo jo
Guest
jo jo
7 years ago
Reply to  maryellen

Southern Humboldt was not supposed to have any services by design. The community is full of undesirables. The county would rather develop services and spend tax dollars to subsidize the well fare and meth economy in Eureka.

So since culturally were unwanted we become share croppers for the tax collectors in Eureka who will never spend money on us.

Also just look at Agenda 21 or Smart Growth and you will see that small communities like ours are restricted by growth and services on purpose.

When you feel like living in southern Humboldt is just so not worth it and too expensive thats California progressivism telling you that your community is being gentrified and that you need to move elsewhere because there will be no affordable housing coming. Anyhow Rio Dell is the new Garberville, invest while you still can..

G-MAS
Guest
G-MAS
7 years ago

Also,FIX OUR ROADS!!! It’s costing quit a bit to fix our rig.

Tax the rich
Guest
Tax the rich
7 years ago
Reply to  G-MAS

Agree. Those semis and the growdowsers with the trailers are ripping these roads like never before. Any tax should fix the damage we all have to drive daily.

Denouement
Guest
Denouement
7 years ago
Reply to  Tax the rich

First of all, make the tax about 5 times higher. Then FIX THE GODDAMN ROADS!

Green Death
Guest
Green Death
7 years ago

Nothing right away…Put it in an account to partially cover all the unforseen consequences of this unwise policy. Increased homelessness and drug addiction, high school dropout rates, teen pregnancies and the obvious coming implosion of our weed-based economy. There will be other consequences but these are the most immediately obvious.

anny
Guest
anny
7 years ago

Clean out the dangerous, filthy camps.

Veterans friend
Guest
Veterans friend
7 years ago

I agree with all of the above.

HOJ in Training
Guest
HOJ in Training
6 years ago

Would be nice to see the money used to develop a marketplace that distributes registered grower’s crops to needy states that lack a supply of top quality ganga.

ED Denson
Guest
ED Denson
7 years ago

1. Fix the Alderpoint Road between Garberville and the Eel River Bridge
2. Make grants available for bringing legacy logging roads up to standards of the North Coast Water Quality Board, preference for small growers who are long time residents.

Scooter
Guest
Scooter
7 years ago
Reply to  ED Denson

What about the road I use? We all drive on shit roads. They all need help.

Guest,
Guest
Guest,
7 years ago
Reply to  Scooter

Yes they do, however alderpoint/bell springs are probably close to if not the worst

Jo shmoe
Guest
Jo shmoe
7 years ago
Reply to  Guest,

Drive the 6 miles in the redwoods on bull creek rd. Hope your roads not that bad.

AnonymousHumboldtian
Guest
AnonymousHumboldtian
7 years ago
Reply to  Jo shmoe

Exactly Jo shmoe. The road through the redwoods is state maintained, so the county can’t be held responsible for the road through the park. However from Cuneo creek to honeydew the road is atrocious. Not to mention the county maintained portion of Panther gap road is sliding away in 3 or 4 different locations and all the county does is set up cones and calls it good.

The state parks need to get their crap together too. They only seem to fill the potholes with cold patch before the bike races and marathons. The rest of the year they could care less.

HumGal
Guest
HumGal
6 years ago
Reply to  Guest,

Not even. I know a road in Ferndale that is worse.

Denouement
Guest
Denouement
7 years ago
Reply to  ED Denson

Yes, California and Humboldt County in particular NEEDS more drug addicts…

Livin' Easy
Guest
Livin' Easy
7 years ago

Mental health programs will not have a chance to keep up with the huge increase in the crime we are experiencing. The county jail should use that lot next to it and add more room. Just because our jails are full, we can’t keep allowing repeat offenders and criminal addicts out to continue to invade our lives. Those people just arrested in Fortuna, and others like them, are not a mental health problem. They are just career criminals who need to be taken off the street. Stop making excuses for people’s stupidity and choices.

Guest,
Guest
Guest,
7 years ago

Give it to me!

Ezra
Guest
Ezra
7 years ago
Reply to  Guest,

Use it to divorce California…

Bob
Guest
Bob
7 years ago

Use The upcoming funds to quadruple the planning department temporarily to steam line the permitting process. aprove the 2300+ applicants within one years time. Collect 10’s of millions of tax dollars over night. Taxes collected per district should be redistributed to those districts equally. If 80% of the revenue is collected from SoHum growers, then 80% should go back into SoHum. Use SoHum taxes to incorporate Garberville, giving South County the ability to govern themselves correctly. Creating a comprehensive community action plan with an actual vision of a sustainable future. And by sustainability I’m talking about fiscally. So tired of the gross incompetence and neglect.

AnonymousHumboldtian
Guest
AnonymousHumboldtian
7 years ago
Reply to  Bob

I agree bob. However that’s likely not going to be the case. The taxes are going to be majorily taken from so hum and redistributed. I would be surprised if the supes actually used the tax money to benefit the community it was taken from.

meh
Guest
meh
7 years ago

Education & Scholarships for the kiddos! There are going to be a lot of kids that can’t follow in their parents footsteps.
And give some to the clinics, better health care for those who need it.

MOS
Guest
MOS
7 years ago

I think we could start a daily work program like they have in Albuquerque. Where you can work for the day cleaning up the community and get paid that same day. I think it could be a stepping stone for some people who have fallen out of society.

Der!
Guest
Der!
7 years ago
Reply to  MOS

This is a great idea !!!!!!!!MOS!

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
7 years ago

Bail out the growers who are getting permitted, only to be crushed by the rest of the state that grows more cannabis than Humboldt, as good as if not better quality and at a much cheaper overhead with all of the work force and ag needs in place and close to the markets. I still can’t believe people are going into debt at this point in time to grow cannabis. How the f*ck you going to make money when track and trace hits? What are you going to do with your surplus? How are you going to compete with $600 pound price? What can you offer at a better price and quality than the rest of the state? Why would someone spend a million dollars plus to grow cannabis up here in the first place?

Christine Rogers
Guest
Christine Rogers
7 years ago

First, I totally agree with Bob. Next, since I’m involved with community road maintenance, I’d like to see some money come back to help with all the damage from lots of big delivery trucks not to mention increased worker traffic. Our gravel roads are getting thrashed and a lot of these big growers are not paying their share. The county road sucks too.

Sohumraised
Guest
Sohumraised
7 years ago

The county won’t raise anywhere near 2 million unless they start giving people there permits I’ve heard they’ve issued around 10-20

Ullr Rover
Guest
Ullr Rover
7 years ago

Create a top-heavy, bloated bureaucracy, with a cool logo that, effectively, accomplishes nothing while giving kush (pun) jobs to its members.

THC
Guest
THC
7 years ago
Reply to  Ullr Rover

Ullr Rover, Well at least somebody’s been paying attention to what the state has done with our tax money for the last 40 years.

?
Guest
?
7 years ago

Update our state parks. Humboldt has 7or 8 I believe. We are suppose to be big on tourism I know the states are suppose to fund them but that’s under threat. Our parks could be so cool with a lol TLC. Tourism brings healthy revenue for folks not on the Mary Jane Train.

truth
Guest
truth
7 years ago

Use some of the tax money to prosecute those growing it illegally. A question for Kym, have you applied for permits to grow legally? Where will you be selling your weed?

15#
Guest
15#
7 years ago
Reply to  truth

Ya, pick on the mom &pop grows that brought it to this point that we’re obsolete. Then use the taxes from the people that ruined our peacefull livelyhood aganst us.

Green Death
Guest
Green Death
7 years ago
Reply to  15#

Thank you for noticing! Yes- this is what we’ve done. Congratulations Everybody! Thank you CCV-H, Wonderland, Gallegos, Kevin Hoover, High Times, Emerald Family Farms, Board of Supervisors, Sheriff’s office, etc etc

CB
Guest
CB
7 years ago

Replace the taxes we used to receive from logging. %25 of federal timber sales goes to the schools and roads in the county from where the trees and weed comes from.

Just-me
Guest
Just-me
7 years ago

Lower our taxes and fix our roads!

Ben
Guest
Ben
7 years ago

Instal the Enercon E126 7.5 MW windturbines. Each one can run over 7000, thousand watt hps lamps at night, we can have the rest during the day for free. We vote green, we grow green, we are green, lets be green.

Sweet Basil Catering
Guest
7 years ago

Roads, roads, roads. Healthcare, healthcare, healthcare. Mental and dental health are soooo hard to get around here!!!

Daryl
Guest
Daryl
7 years ago

The money will never happen cuz this business is going up in smoke.

Hmmmm
Guest
Hmmmm
7 years ago
Reply to  Daryl

Yep. You are correct

GENTRIFICATION!!!!!!
Guest
GENTRIFICATION!!!!!!
7 years ago

Gentrification

Gentrification
Guest
Gentrification
7 years ago

Gentrification

Terry Lynn Ann
Guest
Terry Lynn Ann
7 years ago
Reply to  Gentrification

Yes, use the funds to evict the poor and give grants towards a gentrification process.
The poor and their thinking is the root of all our problems. Once the poor are eliminated the system will start to work correctly. The poor take up valuable space and resources and are the biggest drag on our economy. They are not sustainable.

Truthy
Guest
7 years ago

There won’t be any money, unless they actually start approving the thousands of permits. That won’t happen for years, because our stupidvisors are only good at creating bureaucracy, not funding it. If there ever is any money collected, it should ALL be given to road associations and volunteer fire departments. Unpaved roads in this county are the worst ever, not just from the rain. The outrageous greed of industrial growers is destroying all of our private roads. They are encouraged by this county’s insane decision to permit huge grows. Pay your fucking road bills, douchebags! And then, pay them again!

Arial
Guest
Arial
7 years ago

The entire tax scheme involving cannabis should be repealed and thrown into the trash heap of history. De-criminalize cannabis use and production, and get the state and county governments out of the industry. Taxation is about command and control, and the Slave Combine has decided this is a better strategy than outright prohibition. More profits can be made, and the product can be modified and gradually poisoned just as tobacco was in the cigarette industry. Corporate combines can and will dominate production and distribution.

Furthermore, the precedent is being set here that a substance or industry can be taxed in advance, based on the mere intention to produce a product, rather than by what is actually produced. This is the worst kind of tyranny, and the fact so many people accepted the devil’s bargain and voted for this draconian policy shows a deep lack of understanding and critical thinking among the general population. This type of tax policy will ensure that prohibition and undeclared war against the citizenry will continue into the foreseeable future.

Whatever little money of is left after the state takes what it wants will be precious little compensation for the weight of tyranny it puts on the necks of the citizenry.

Ullr Rover
Guest
Ullr Rover
7 years ago
Reply to  Arial

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Ullr Rover
Guest
Ullr Rover
7 years ago
Reply to  Arial

Thanks Arial. This needed stating.

Shak
Guest
Shak
7 years ago
Reply to  Arial

Very well said, Ariel! Very well said indeed.

Green Death
Guest
Green Death
7 years ago
Reply to  Arial

Thank You! Well-stated. May I add the required signing over of your own water rights? Sheep being driven to slaughter…

Maniac
Guest
Maniac
7 years ago

I want my driveway paved too. And a new gate maybe too.

Denouement
Guest
Denouement
7 years ago

Buy one way bus tickets to Phoenix. Hand them out at lunch at the Mateel…

Genie
Guest
Genie
7 years ago

FIX THE ROADS – That’s Public Safety Job #1!

Hans
Guest
Hans
7 years ago

It would be much appreciated if the county could hire people who could anticipate RECURING RD maintenance issues based on recurring weather patterns ; Like it rains in winter ,but not so much in summer ! ! !
It would be even more appreciated if the county either terminated one / or counseled same on other employment opportunities ! ! !
What some of those marginal in-charge people might think about kids with grow dozers is besides the point ,red diesel , blue diesel ……NOT YOUR JOB TO LOOK INTO .
FIX THE ROAD WITHOUT INSULTING THE PEOPLE WHO PAY YOUR WAGES. HOW DARE YOU TELL THEM/ ME TO ” MOVE TO A PLACE WHICH PROVIDES BETTER SERVICES THAN I DO “.

I’ve had a cordial discussion , in some detail , with both Supervisor Estelle , and Director Madsen about this matter

Yes , I’m in favor of using ALL that tax money to hire qualified Rd engineers ,
FIX RDS .
Perhaps also a plan of cooperation between Rd .departments .
MUTUAL RESPONSE LIKE FIRE DEPTS.

Hans in Palo Verde

homegrown
Guest
homegrown
7 years ago

I recently attended a Cal Growers Meeting in the Bay Area where estimated taxes for cultivators will be around 55%. This does not include licensing fees (or consulting or water board fees.) I do not believe this included payroll taxes- I think it was limited to local, state and federal taxes. Just a heads up for everyone planning on going legal.

This is all happening while prices for units are dropping.

Shep
Guest
Shep
7 years ago

Money should used to enforce regulations. Make the entry to grow legally and smooth as possible, but regulate the hell out of it and hold those who do not comply to account with a firm hand. Large fines or jail time or both. The last thing we need is a blatant and flaunted grey economy for cannabis. It’s the worst of both worlds. The regulations and enforcement should be at least on par with the regulations for manufacture and distribution of alcohol. I’d love to see this industry grow into a nice tidy operation providing revenues for the county without the negative aspects that have plagued it and the area for too long.

Guest,
Guest
Guest,
7 years ago
Reply to  Shep

Hahahahahah dream on that’s the ridiculous attitude that put us where we are today. Fucked

Emerald Family
Guest
Emerald Family
7 years ago

Tax revenue should be used strickly for enforcement on the Mom
& Pops who have so blatantly shunned their noses at revenue contribution for decades. Seize their assets for violations and auction the properties off to corporations who will bring them into compliance. Generating hundreds of millions in revenue.
Continue that model until all 7500 estimated unregistered grows are seized and resold to legitimate investors who will actually assist in creating a healthy “community”.
Allow the corporate model to heal the wounds of the past.

Green Death
Guest
Green Death
7 years ago
Reply to  Emerald Family

The mask is coming off….

Ullr Rover
Guest
Ullr Rover
7 years ago
Reply to  Emerald Family

Is this sarcasm? Well played if it is.

Mariahgirl
Guest
7 years ago

By all means we should give the supervisors another raise because they worked so hard on this mess and then anything left over should go to fix the roads that have been torn up by all of the trucks hauling dirt, water and whatever else for the pot growers.

private drive
Guest
private drive
7 years ago
Reply to  Mariahgirl

Dear county -Fix county roads- !until then facts suck ,Most of the old haul roads from logging were turned into subdivision roads .These are private sub par roads( meaning county has no jurisdiction).Many of these roads if not all are dirt and have major concerns to the ” agency’s” .Permitting grows on god awful shit roads is a pipe dream the fact is the majority of these roads will not and should not allow a business to be conducted on them.simply put the more people who drive a dirt road in the winter the more shifty and muddy it gets…the kicker is the mega growers don’t even chip in for road dues .your access road could be your problem.

HumGal
Guest
HumGal
6 years ago
Reply to  private drive

I so know how this is. Big trucks coming down my road all the time, and who fills in the pot holes, not the growers, but the blue collar working man or woman.

ForestProtection
Guest
ForestProtection
6 years ago

Use the taxes to clean up trespass grows on our Public Lands. For details of the damage being done and the lack of resources to address it, read this March 30 article: “Back Country Drug War” at: http://www.biographic.com/posts/sto/backcountry-drug-war