The Lane County Board is the latest local government considering imposing a tax on marijuana.
Commissioners Tuesday directed staff attorneys to draft an ordinance that would put a tax on recreational and medical marijuana if Oregon voters approve a pot legalization measure in November. Commissioner Faye Stewart said he sees this as an opportunity.
Stewart: "I have heard from folks in my travels that when it comes to public safety funding look for new sources. So I see this as a potential opportunity for public safety funding, if this was a viable option."
Lane County follows Eugene and Springfield and some other local governments in planning marijuana taxes with the vote on Measure 91 in mind.
Measure 91 would bar cities and counties from tacking their own taxes onto the measure's proposed state tax. But some local governments believe their taxes would be grandfathered in if enacted before the November 4 election.
The board is also looking into a county vehicle registration fee to raise money for its dwindling road fund.