Pueblo County voters will decide on two marijuana ballot questions in November

Two marijuana questions will be on the November ballot in Pueblo County.

Pueblo County Commissioners voted Monday to let the voters decide whether to put an excise tax on marijuana grows that send recreational pot to facilities.

The tax would increase starting in 2016 by one percent each year for five years.

The revenue from the tax, if approved, would go toward college scholarships and community projects.

People we spoke with said the tax would benefit schools, but not everyone agrees on the ballot measure.

“(It would make) safe trails to school or safe routes to school. Adding sidewalks, widening roads, improving trails or even adding trails so students can get to school safely,” D70 Superintendent Ed Smith.

“It’s unfair to pick out a particular industry and tax them simply because they are profitable and has a negative reputation in the area,” Pueblo West resident Emily Price.

The tax doesn’t affect medical marijuana.

Voters will also decide if the nearly $150,000 leftover from the recreational marijuana sales tax should be used to improve county parks.

If the measure is voted down, tax payers would receive a tax credit of $1.48 toward their property tax.