COMMERCE CITY — Voters Tuesday night approved a measure that would add an additional tax on any medical marijuana business that might locate here next year.
The marijuana-tax measure passed 53 percent to 47 percent.
The excise tax — which would not exceed 7 percent — would charged on the sale of marijuana, marijuana paraphernalia, marijuana-infused products and synthetic marijuana products.
The city expects the tax raise about $100,000 each year, said city spokeswoman Michelle Halstead.
Commerce City doesn’t have any medical marijuana dispensaries, but the city’s moratorium on such businesses will be lifted in the summer of 2012, Halstead said.
Zoning will limit medical marijuana businesses to just the city’s industrial areas.
“Because of the zoning, we don’t think this will raise a tremendous amount of money,” Halstead said. “But we will start accepting applications (next) summer, and we will welcome any applicants.”
The money from the medical pot tax will be used to promote public safety.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
