Is Mendicino County About to Tax Marijuana?

Perhaps embracing the national general discussion on the wasteful War on Drugs, marijuana, and the need for tax revenue, on Monday the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors took up a "zip tie" proposal at a special meeting but put off action until May 5.

In Mendocino County the traditional start of the marijuana outdoor growing season begins in April. Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman is reprising a program tested in 2007 - medical marijuana zip ties. Allman's office distributed 1,500 test zip ties in 2007 test.

Under the new proposal the zip ties would be sold by the Public Health Department in order to assure compliance with the privacy provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Applicants would be required to present their California Medical Marijuana Card. They will be issued six zip ties unless their doctor recommends more. Allman is proposing that the charge be $25 per tie with a 50% discount for Medicare patients. The ties would be wrapped around the base of the plant and would be imprinted with "Mendocino County MMP" and a serial number.