2020 California Election Results
Over the last seven years, the California Cannabis Industry Association has been proud to support the creation and implementation of a well-regulated legal cannabis industry in the state, one that prioritizes safety, promotes entrepreneurship, and benefits communities as a whole. This year, there are over 25 local ballot initiatives statewide dealing with cannabis, all of which have the potential to influence the success and viability of California’s cannabis industry moving forward.
One of the biggest challenges currently facing California’s cannabis industry is a lack of local authorization. Only roughly 35% of California municipalities have any regulations regarding commercial retail cannabis, whether medicinal or adult use, which results in a defacto prohibition in nearly ⅔ of the state! This undermines the legal market and forces people to purchase from the unregulated market.
CCIA is in support of any initiative that overturns an existing commercial cannabis ban, or otherwise expands legal commercial cannabis opportunities in a local jurisdiction.
Another major burden facing the regulated industry statewide is overtaxation. With state and local taxes compiled, some jurisdictions consumers are paying upwards of over 40%.
Such high tax rates not only encourage consumers to purchase cannabis goods through the illicit market, it also forces the industry to prioritize conducting business in cities that have reasonable taxes.
Thus, CCIA is concerned about any ballot measure that effectively stifles industry growth by imposing burdensome local tax rates. Though expanding the areas in which commercial cannabis businesses can operate is appreciated, onerous local tax rates may undermine potential success and viability for emerging cannabis businesses.
This year, CCIA is proud to partner again with Fyllo | CannaRegs to bring you our 2020 Cannabis Ballot Initiative Tracker. See below for a comprehensive list of measures on the ballot across California, and the final results of each.
CannaRegs unifies and automates cannabis regulatory research at the federal, state and local level, with more than 4,300 sources across 1,350 jurisdictions in 16 states, making it easier to keep pace with compliance and category growth.