The Long Beach City Council has voted to hold a public hearing on whether to put a measure on the November ballot that will tax medical marijuana collectives at the rate of 5 percent.
The council voted 8-to-1 Tuesday to schedule a public hearing for August.
The finance department of the Southern California beach city asked the council to consider the tax to close the $18.5-million budget deficit it is facing.
The proposal would also tax medical marijuana cultivation sites by the square foot.
Medical marijuana advocates say the drug should be treated the same as any other doctor-prescribed medications, which are not taxed.
Berkeley and Sacramento are also considering similar measures to close their budget gaps.
Copyright The Associated Press
