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California Lawmakers Reject Cannabis Tax Cut But Advance Bill Requiring More Pot Shops

Publication: Los Angeles Times

California lawmakers balked Thursday at cutting taxes on cannabis to help the foundering legal market, while they moved forward a proposal to require more cities to allow pot shops but reduced the number of new stores required.

Both bills were aimed at bolstering state-licensed cannabis sales and reducing the black market for the drug two years after Californians approved Proposition 64, which legalized its recreational use.

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A second bill aimed at helping legal cannabis sales was advanced by the committee to the Assembly floor Thursday, but only after it was changed to reduce its effects on cities.

The measure would require cities to approve cannabis stores if a majority of their residents supported Proposition 64.

The measure by Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) originally would have required one cannabis store for every four bars and restaurants with liquor licenses or 10,000 residents, whichever is less.

The Assembly panel amended the bill Thursday to require one pot shop for every six liquor licenses or every 15,000 residents.