Adam Brown, Ontario city manager, at a recent city council meeting. (Liliana Frankel/The Enterprise)
ONTARIO – A new lobbyist will be heading to Salem on behalf of the city of Ontario.
The Ontario City Council voted Thursday to allot $20,000 towards promoting legislation that would increase the amount of tax the city collects on its marijuana sales.
Voting yes on the measure were Councilors Freddy Rodriguez, Sam Baker, Michael Braden, John Kirby, and Ken Hart. Mayor Riley Hill wasn’t present, but he has been a vocal proponent of increasing taxes on marijuana.
Despite its small size and rural character, Malheur County, whose dispensaries are concentrated in Ontario, consistently ranks third in marijuana sales statewide, just behind Portland-area counties.
Ontario saw $9.5 million in sales in January . . .
