by Kevin Cody
The Hermosa Beach City Council has expressed unanimous opposition to Measure M on the November 8 general election ballot. Measure M was placed on the ballot through the initiative process, and would repeal Hermosa’s ban on retail cannabis sales. If approved the city would be required to issue retail cannabis business licenses to at least two applicants, and to allow only those two businesses to offer cannabis home delivery.
Also on the November ballot 8, voters will be asked to approve Measure T, which would impose a cannabis tax of up to 10 percent if voters approve Measure M. The council put the cannabis tax measure on the ballot on a four-to-one vote.
Mayor Mike Detoy cast the dissenting vote on the tax measure..
“A council tax measure would suggest merit in the cannabis industry initiative. I don’t think the city should get in the cannabis business to make money. If we need money, we can make it other ways,” Detoy said during a May council meeting, when Measure T was approved.
“Measure T could raise approximately $700,000 to $1,500,000 annually.” City Attorney Michael Jennings wrote in his “Impartial Analysis” of the cannabis tax measure for the Voter Information Guide.
In related action, last August, the city council passed an ordinance lifting the city’s ban on cannabis home delivery. It also passed on a four-to-one vote.
Council Member Stacey Armato expressed the council majority’s reason for lifting the ban by noting, “It removes a major argument of the cannabis industry. If the ban is not lifted, they will claim a no vote on their initiative will make home delivery a crime.”
Mayor Detoy again cast the dissenting vote.
“I’m not opposed to home delivery. But I’m opposed to the procedure, and timing,” Detoy said.
He argued that the delivery ordinance was premature because it will be invalidated if voters approve Measure M, the cannabis initiative. He also questioned whether cannabis delivery services, currently operating in violation of the law, would follow the permit procedures.
State law prohibits identifying graphics on cannabis delivery vehicles, making them difficult to police. ER
