Commissioners Put Cannabis Taxes On Ballot

The Roosevelt County Commissioners placed local taxation of medical and recreational cannabis on the primary ballot. Voters will be asked to choose separately on the medical and recreational distinctions.

Commissioners Gary Macdonald and Duane Nygaard were present, as was commission chair Gordon Oelkers and Roosevelt County Attorney Frank Piocos. Oelkers said the revenues would be needed to supplement the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office budget and budgets for health and mental health services in the county.

“The impacts are here,” Oelkers said.

During public comment, Bill Juve said he was against adding the taxes to the sale of cannabis.

“It’s one step closer to a sales tax,” Juve said.

Voters will be asked to decide whether to add a 3 percent local excise tax on the retail sales of recreational marijuana products in Roosevelt County pursuant to HB701.

Voters will be asked to decide separately whether to add a 3 percent tax to the sale of medical marijuana in the county. If passed, the revenues will be split three ways with the county receiving 50 percent and municipalities like Wolf Point, Poplar, Culbertson, etc., receiving 45 percent. The state will keep 5 percent for administrative costs. The primary election is June 7.