LA County ballot measure would allow taxing marijuana businesses to pay for homeless services

A November ballot measure will allow Los Angeles County voters to decide whether to tax marijuana businesses to help pay for housing and health service for the homeless.

The Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 on Tuesday to approve the measure, which calls for a 10 percent tax on the gross receipts of businesses that grow or sell marijuana.

It would apply to medical marijuana business and to recreational marijuana businesses if they are legalized by California voters in a separate measure in November.

The tax is projected to raise between $78 million to $130 million per year.