Santa Ana City Council to Vote on Cannabis Tax and Labor Reforms

Santa Ana City Council to Vote on Cannabis Tax and Labor Reforms

Tuesday September 20, 2022 | 5:30PM

UFCW and cannabis workers across Santa Ana have been pushing for reforms to cannabis tax legislation that would lower retail taxes in cannabis for employers who meet minimum labor standards, like paying living wages, providing paid career advancement training, and hire locally from the community. 

The City Council will be taking a first vote on these proposed policy changes Tuesday, September 20, 2022, that will set the standard for future policies across California and the nation.

We need the City Council to hear from you – the real people who will be affected by this policy – to ensure that tax breaks go to businesses that are uplifting workers and the community.

Here’s how you can get involved:

1.) Join us in person at the Santa Ana City Council Meeting Tuesday September 20, 2022 at 5:30PM

a.) Public comments are limited to three minutes per speaker. Speakers who wish to address the Council must do so by submitting a “Request to Speak” card by 6:00 p.m. *Face coverings are required for members of the public who enter City buildings. 

If you can’t make it in person, you can watch the meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/315965149. Or call in to this conference call: Dial (669) 900-9128 and enter MEETING ID: 315 965 149#.

2.) Send public comment by email.

If you are not available at 5:30PM Tuesday, September 20, 2022, you can send in your comment by email to eComment@santa-ana.org. *send by 3PM Tuesday September 20, 2022. Make sure to reference agenda item #25 in your email signature.

Here is a sample email to write:

Hello, I’m writing to ask the City Council to support lowering retail taxes for employers who provide good jobs and community benefits. [Include your name and where you work]. I’m writing to ask that you lower retail taxes to make cannabis more accessible and allow legal business to compete more equitably with the black market. However, I believe strongly that these lower taxes should go only towards businesses that also support their workers and the community. I strongly support requiring businesses who receive these tax reductions to meet minimum labor standards like paying their workers 115% of minimum wage, giving the majority of employees full time hours and providing on the job training. Finally we should make sure that these businesses give back to the community by hiring local residents and creating career opportunities for the residents. Thanks for your consideration.

[Your name]

3.) Post on social media about your support for our proposed policy.

SA Action Social Image.png ← download a graphic here

Twitter: Cannabis businesses have to compete with the black market where workers are exploited & products are unregulated & unsafe, placing customers & communities at risk. @CityofSantaAna make sure tax breaks go to employers who provide good quality jobs & support the local community.

Facebook & Instagram: Licensed cannabis businesses in Santa Ana have to compete with the black market where workers are exploited and products are unregulated and unsafe, placing customers and communities at risk. @CityofSantaAna make sure tax breaks go to employers who provide good quality jobs and support the local community.