Stemming from a threatened raise in state cannabis cultivation taxes, the Cannabis Business Association of Sonoma County and the Sonoma Valley Cannabis Enthusiasts have joined forces and plan to ask for “immediate tax reform” from the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on December 7.
“Every licensed cultivator is in dire survival mode," said local cannabis regulatory attorney Joe Rogoway, who drafted resolutions to present to supervisors requesting the county lobby the state to repeal the cultivation tax. They are also asking the county to eliminate or suspend its local cultivation tax for three years.
Ranging from lobbyists to ancillary producers to dispensary owners and advocates, many fear a collapse of an industry already reeling over a drop in prices, ongoing competition with the illicit market, and already burdensome tax structures on federal, state, and local levels.
Department of Cannabis Control Director Nicole Elliott urged the industry and their local representatives to take their issues to the state Legislature. “They need to explain their pain points,” she said, adding it will take “a collective effort” among all the players to pull off change.
Read the complete article at northbaybusinessjournal.com.
