Correspondence-#25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Dear Mayor Sarmiento and Councilmembers of the City of Santa Ana, As the council considers lowering cannabis taxes, it is important to understand that cannabis taxation doesn'tjust impact cannabis business owners, but also has a huge impact on thousands of workers employed in the industry. We are asking that you make sure that any updates to cannabis taxation and policy in Santa Ana keep these goals in mind: Tax Breaks for Living Wage Jobs - Specifically, we are asking that if taxes are lowered for cannabis operators, priority should be given to employers who pay their employees at least 115% of minimum wage, offer the majority of workers full-time hours, and assure that drivers are reimbursed appropriately for using their vehicles. Incentivize on the Job Training for Career Pathways - Provide on-the-job paid training opportunities with state -certified programs to create career pathways, create an on -ramp into the industry for community members, and promote growth from within. Prioritize Social Equity & Local Hiring - The cannabis industry should be providing pathways to low-income families and those directly impacted by the war on drugs in our community, not penalizing those communities. To that end, we ask that any updated cannabis policy in the city removes the current requirements that make it impossible for individuals with drug convictions in the preceding four years to work in the industry. It should prioritize and require local hiring of Santa Ana residents in the industry. Finally, newly generated tax revenue from the industry should be invested specifically in social programs that directly support low-income residents in our city. Expand Access to Regulated and Legal Cannabis - By allowing newer uses like on -site consumption lounges and lowering retail tax in addition to manufacturing and cultivation taxes, we can help to expand access to legal and regulated cannabis as opposed to pushing the community to purchase in the illicit market. AAs you consider updates to cannabis policy, it is important to keep in mind that this mdustry cannot exist without the workers who make our dispensaries, cultivations, manufacturing and testing labs run. We are proud of the work we do and want to make sure that Santa Ana is rewarding operators who recognize the value of their workers.