A lower tax in La Mesa

Back in November, a student journalist at San Diego State University published an interesting story that involved La Mesa. Juan Estrada reported in the Daily Aztec that SDSU students found a hack to get cheaper weed: Just come to La Mesa. 

At 4% sales tax, La Mesa cannabis taxes are less than half as much as the city of San Diego. Zoning rules are different too, so dispensaries are in a variety of locations here rather than mostly being concentrated in Mission Valley. 

I want to write a follow-up on Estrada’s article — from the perspective of La Mesa.

Some questions I’ve already answered thanks to helpful people at City Hall. Compared to the city of San Diego, La Mesa’s modest taxes haven’t impacted the city budget as much, to both positive and negative effects.

The city of San Diego wanted to raise marijuana taxes to help fund its budget, only sales were way lower than anticipated (maybe because more than SDSU students come to La Mesa instead?). Still, San Diego receives millions more per year in taxes than La Mesa. 

With the city perspective in hand, now I’m interested in hearing from residents and business owners. 

Are these out-of-town customers shopping at other local businesses while they’re here? What effect do these dispensaries have on the community? How has the community’s approach to cannabis changed from when voters approving medical marijuana in 2014 to recreational marijuana being legal statewide? 

If you have any insight, or know good people for me to reach out to, please hit me up!