Auburn PD gets $320K in CHP marijuana funds for 2 electric patrol cars

Even though marijuana shops are banned in Auburn, the city prospers from pot sold elsewhere. The Auburn Police Department was awarded $320,000 in CHP marijuana tax funds last month to buy two electric DUI patrol vehicles. The Proposition 64 marijuana tax allows the state to set aside money for the Highway Patrol to award grants to local cities for drug enforcement. Since Californians pay from 28% to 40% in taxes at pot shops, the Highway Patrol fund is literally a "pot of gold" to support local police efforts. The program aims to provide alternative funding to support but not supplant current PD efforts against driving under the influence, staff explained. Auburn PD submitted a grant application and the CHP awarded the department $320,000 for the purchase and outfitting of two DUI electric patrol vehicles, said Police Chief Bryan Morrison in his council report. The funds also cover the purchase of a TruNarc handheld narcotics analyzer, overtime costs to educate the community and increased enforcement efforts, he said. The Auburn City Council officially accepted the grant from the CHP Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program at the July 14 meeting. In 2022, Mothers Against Drunk Driving awarded Auburn PD the Outstanding Agency Award for DUI enforcement and education. Auburn officers then made 162 arrests for impaired driving in 2023, 126 in 2024 and 47 DUI arrests so far this year, authorities said. The Auburn patrol division includes four sergeants and six officers. The combination of education and enforcement between on-duty patrols and grant-funded overtime officers is a department priority, the chief said in his council report. The program aligns with the Auburn community-oriented policing philosophy and problem-oriented efforts, the chief said. "Staff are dedicated to keeping the citizens of Auburn safe by enforcing DUI laws while providing public outreach to prevent unnecessary traffic collisions that have the potential to cause injury and death," he said. The grant makes advanced training possible to optimize knowledge and expertise in identifying the signs of drugs, alcohol or a combination, said Auburn PD Sergeant Rainer Neri in the report. Examples of training include advanced roadside impaired driving enforcement, "drugged driving" investigations and drug abuse recognition. The grant will also provide funding to increase education on the dangers of impaired driving. The monies help officers focus solely on DUI/traffic enforcement and outreach. The general fund budget move adjusts expenditure accounts to include overtime of $57,600, vehicle funding of $218,972 and $43,427 for equipment, according to the report. There is no impact on the city general fund. Meanwhile, California marijuana sales are subject to several taxes: · Cannabis Excise Tax: As of July 1, the tax is 19% of gross receipts from retail sales of cannabis or cannabis products. The rate increased from 15% to offset the elimination of the cultivation tax, which no longer applies since 2022. · Sales and Use Tax: This tax applies to all retail sales of cannabis and other tangible personal property. The statewide sales and use tax rate is 7.25%, but local district taxes can increase this rate, according to the state website. · Local Government Cannabis Business Taxes: Along with state taxes, cities and counties can impose their own cannabis business taxes, which are generally based on a percentage of gross receipts. These local tax rates can vary between 5% and 15% and are typically charged at the point of sale. State law allows recreational marijuana use, but dispensaries are banned in Auburn, along with unincorporated areas of Placer County. Auburn citizens, however, can legally indoor-cultivate a limited number of plants for personal use, according to the municipal code and state law. Countywide, only the city of Colfax allows limited medical marijuana dispensaries but is still restricted to selling cannabis products to qualified patients or caregivers with pot IDs.