The supervisors voted to cut current Measure S taxes by 85-percent

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif.(KIEM)- A big tax break has just been approved for cannabis growers by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors.

The supervisors voted a short time ago to cut current Measure S taxes by 85-percent.

The board’s decision comes after local cannabis producers staged a recent anti-tax protest, citing plummeting cannabis prices amid legalization.

During a long 4 hour special meeting, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved an 85 percent cut to  Measures S cannabis cultivation tax for this year.

As for taxes due in October 2021, those taxes have been deferred until September 2022 without any penalties.

The decision was made after 2 hours of comments from those in the cannabis industry, along with a rally organized last month in front of the courthouse asking for a reduction or suspension of Measure S.

The board of supervisors also had to consider the county budget since cannabis tax funds many programs throughout the county.

“It also fails to understand if we don’t do something, we can easily lose all this revenue that is also into consideration, so I mean, that’s what I’m trying to do. You know the rest of the board is doing that as well. We are all trying balance,” said Steve Madrone, 5th District Supervisor for Humboldt County.

As for taxes due next year, that is planned to be revised later this year.