DOVER, DE- Dover City Council leaders are pushing for a new local marijuana tax following a proposal introduced during Tuesday's Committee of the Whole meeting.
The plan would add a 3—to 5-percent local tax on cannabis sales to help fund essential services in Dover, including law enforcement, EMS, and addiction treatment.
Currently, Delaware collects a 15 percent tax on recreational marijuana, but none of that revenue is distributed to local municipalities.
Dover Council President David Anderson said that while cities are required to permit cannabis businesses, they're left to shoulder the costs without state support.
"When the Delaware Marijuana Control Act passed, all of the money went through the state. However, we believe most of the costs are borne by the local communities."
The proposal, which the council committee unanimously backed, also authorizes Mayor Robin Christiansen to coordinate with Wilmington and New Castle County—both exploring similar measures.
Christiansen said a local tax is appropriate and necessary to ensure fairness, allowing municipalities to benefit from hosting cannabis operations.
"By virtue of the fact that we have to permit these facilities to be within the city, I don't think it's an unreasonable request."
Wilmington plans to submit a resolution to the General Assembly requesting local tax authority, citing its population of more than 50,000 residents.
Christiansen said Dover hopes to coordinate with other areas, including Wilmington and New Castle County, to push for a statewide solution.
"We're trying to get them to change that — where they take the number out — which will allow us, basically, if the legislature decides to follow through on their request and or request that, it'll be uniform and on tax by the municipalities and counties from Claymont to Delaware."
Christiansen emphasized that the goal isn't to generate extra revenue but to offset the growing costs of legalization.
"We just want things to be fair and equitable for all the municipalities across the state- and I hope that our efforts will make that happen."
The proposal is expected to be discussed further at the next Dover City Council meeting on May 12.