ONTARIO, Ore. — A pro-cannabis group dubbed "MalheurCAN" believes the city of Ontario can solve its financial problems if the community opts into retail marijuana sales.
On July 1, the city had to cut several key police and fire positions in order to keep the community afloat.
"We need about 825 signatures, we have been working diligently with a lot of businesses in the area and we have gotten up to about 550 signatures," said MalhuerCAN's chief petitioner Jahmel Cooke.
If enough valid signatures are collected by July 24, voters will be faced with a choice this November -- whether or not to allow retail marijuana sales in Ontario.
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"The city, right now, is preparing for the possibility of this passing," Ontario Mayor Ron Verini said. "We were thinking that the possible sales would be around $15 million to $25 million."
A three percent tax on those sales would go directly to the city.
"The police are having issues, layoffs, the fire department," Cooke said, noting that the revenue would help relieve the city's heavy financial burden.
"We're estimating that the city would make at least $750,000 in tax revenue for the first year and from there it will just keep going up," he added.
Ontario is one of the Oregon cities that opted out when the state legalized recreational marijuana sales.
"So, the alternative is they have to drive to Huntington, which is about 30 minutes away," Cooke said. "It's a strain on your finances and your physical health as well if you are physically disabled."
But providing easier access causes concern for Ontario's mayor. He anticipates most cannabis customers coming from east of Oregon’s border.
"Idaho is really the key to all of this in terms of dollars and cents. We’re looking at increased traffic, increased possibility of crime, increased car crashes," Verini said.
If all signatures are gathered and the initiative does pass, the City Council will decide where retail shops will be allowed within the city.