HAHN PROPOSES CITY TAX ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Seeking new revenue for the city, Councilwoman Janice Hahn proposed
Wednesday that the council consider imposing a tax on sales of
medical marijuana.

Los Angeles has hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries. As
California's local and state governments look to plug their budget
deficits, attention has started to focus on marijuana as an untapped
source. Oakland voters will decide Tuesday on a medical marijuana tax.

"In this current economic crisis, we need to get creative about how
we raise funds," Hahn said in a statement. "A tax on medical
marijuana could enable the city to continue providing services we
might otherwise have to cut."

Hahn's motion was supported by Councilmen Dennis Zine and Bill Rosendahl.