On Tuesday, voters heading to polls will be asked only one question on their ballot: whether the city should add a 3% tax on recreational marijuana sales.
When the amendment to legalize recreational marijuana was passed, the state already established a 6% tax on retail sales of the drug. It left the additional 3% up to local governments, at the discretion of local voters.
In May, Springfield City Council approved sending the question to voters. The revenue from the local sales tax of the drug would go toward “public safety, mental health services, housing, and substance abuse services,” according to the ballot. The tax would not apply to sales of medical marijuana.
The sales tax rate in the city limits of Springfield is 8.1% for all retail goods. If the additional sales tax for recreational marijuana is approved, local consumers would pay a total of 17.1% in retail sales tax on recreational marijuana products.
Concerns for turnout
Dr. Jim Blaine, treasurer of the Greene County Medical Society, said he is concerned about the turnout at Tuesday’s election with people not being aware of the election as a whole.
“I know that this issue has passed by large margins in other cities, but it was on April election, which is typically school board and more family-oriented, and this is a single-issue ballot,” he said.
With the fewer number of voters, Blaine said there is a concern about whether the tax will pass which he said is a way to deter use of marijuana since it is a user tax, a tax…
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