League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Riverside County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Measure II Medical Marijuana Tax City of Desert Hot Springs Majority Approval Required Pass: 2,242 / 72.23% Yes votes ...... 862 / 27.77% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure II	Arguments Against Measure II
Measure "II" is a monthly 10% tax on the proceeds of any person or entity legally selling or providing marijuana for medical use and casual/ recreational use if such use is legalized or decriminalized in California. The tax will help fund basic City services such as street sweeping; public parks and building maintenance; public safety; youth, adult and senior programs; and public infrastructure. Earlier this year, the City Council took drastic efforts to keep the City financially solvent and provide basic City services, at the expense of causing financial distress to many community non-profit organizations which have traditionally provided valuable services to our seniors, children, business owners, veterans and residents. Even after the City Council reduced staff positions by more than 70%; reduced employee salaries by 22% to 35%; reduced employee benefits and holidays; cut several consulting contracts and reduced others by 20% - 30%; and, reduced support of local non-profits that provide services to our residents, the City still had to cut an additional $1,600,000.00 in Fiscal Year 2013-14. These cuts were necessary to maintain a minimal "bare bones" budget to continue City operations through the current fiscal year or risk fiscal insolvency. The City's need for additional revenue is immediate and will become ever more pressing during this fiscal year and next fiscal year. Your YES vote will show your support for protecting the interests, values, quality of life, and health & wellness of the residents of the City of Desert Hot Springs. We ask for your support by voting YES on Measure "II". By: Adam Sanchez, Mayor Joe McKee, City Council Member Jan M. Pye Scott Matas John H. Furbee Rebuttal to Arguments For Let's be clear. It taxes individuals who don't sell anything. Its reach is expansive. These suffering people pay the tax... CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 11362.7(h) "Serious medical condition" means all of the following medical conditions: (1) Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). (2) Anorexia. (3) Arthritis. (4) Cachexia. (5) Cancer. (6) Chronic pain. (7) Glaucoma. (8) Migraine. (9) Persistent muscle spasms, including, but not limited to, spasms associated with multiple sclerosis. (10) Seizures, including, but not limited to, seizures associated with epilepsy. (11) Severe nausea. (12) Any other chronic or persistent medical symptom that either: (A) Substantially limits the ability of the person to conduct one or more major life activities as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. (B) If not alleviated, may cause serious harm to the patient's safety or physical or mental health. Targets them for scrutiny and enforcement. It's not Marijuana vs. Alcohol. It is Medical Marijuana vs. Prescription Narcotics (both authorized in writing by a doctor after an examination). Prescription narcotics are highly addictive, cause numerous deaths, by law must contain ingredients that cause liver damage (Acetaminophen), and make you feel "dopey". Let the cancer patient decide. Zero Marijuana Taxes - Business Advantage - Attract Opportunities & Customers - Create new jobs. Fits perfectly with health and wellness. Position DHS for future business opportunities, bringing clean, green, sustainable profits. By: Robert M. Bentley Former Police Commissioner Member National Writer's Union - UAW Local 1981 AFL/CIO http://www.RobertBentleyLaw.com	Outrageous 120% Tax a Year - Extreme Hardship Imposed on Only Medical Patients. Deception - Only taxes medical patients, mentioning casual/recreational is just a trick. Who is subject to this law? What are its provisions? We don't know. We're giving them carte blanche to enact anything they wish. Section 3.34.050 "The City Manager, or designee, and/or the City Council by ordinance, may promulgate regulations to implement and administer the provisions of this chapter." This tax is not voluntary. It requires sweeping surveillance of everyone. The costs will far outweigh any revenues. It requires intrusive inspections of all structures at any time without a warrant. Warrants are only needed if going to court. There is no recourse with this... none. It implies the use of drones, and advanced imaging technologies. It requires a new database of information on every person, unavailable to the public. How do they know you're subject to the provisions until after they have inspected your premises, "books" and personal papers? It actually specifies books! Section 3.34.080 "Whenever it is necessary to examine any books or records, including tax returns, of any entity subject to the provisions this chapter... the City shall have the power and authority to examine such necessary books and records..." Section 3.37.090 says a violation is a "public nuisance". Subject to a $1,000 a day fine and possible forfeiture of the property. They snuck in a "poison pill", unlimited spending. Section 3. "APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT ...the appropriations limit for the City of Desert Hot Springs is increased to the maximum extent over the maximum period of time allowed under law..." Criminals, who pay no taxes will profit and prosper. Grandma can choose for herself. The veteran has earned it. They're adults. By: Robert M. Bentley Former Police Commissioner Member National Writer's Union - UAW Local 1981 AFL/CIO http://www.RobertBentleyLaw.com Rebuttal to Arguments Against Don't pay attention to the rhetoric. This is a tax only on the proceeds of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes. The revenue generated will go to the general fund to fund basic City services such as street sweeping; public parks and building maintenance; public safety; youth, adult and senior programs; and public infrastructure. The City will have the authority to conduct audits to examine bookkeeping records of persons or businesses engaged in marijuana businesses. Earlier this year, the City Council took drastic efforts to keep basic City services at the expense of causing financial distress to many community non-profit organizations which have traditionally provided valuable services to our seniors, children, business owners, veterans and residents. The City Council reduced staff positions by more than 70%; reduced employee salaries by 22% to 35%; reduced employee benefits and holidays; cut several consulting contracts and reduced others by 20% - 30%; and, reduced support of local non-profits that provide services to our residents. The City's need for additional revenue is immediate and will become ever more pressing during this fiscal year and next fiscal year. Your YES vote will show your support for protecting the interests, values, quality of life, and health & wellness of the residents of the City of Desert Hot Springs. We ask for your support by voting YES on Measure "II". To read official Measure "II" documents, visit http://www.cityofdhs.org. By: Adam Sanchez Joe McKee