Woodlake Enjoys the Fruits of Its Unrestrained Cannabis Market

The City of Woodlake in Tulare County is enjoying a windfall from cannabis tax revenue that has allowed for the renovation of four public parks and the addition of multiple new police vehicles.

There are 11 cannabis dispensaries and cultivation sites, with another five currently under construction. In a town of 7,700, that comes out to about 1 cannabis business for every 482 people. Woodlake City Manager Ramon Lara credits a simplified permit approval process and one of the lowest cultivation taxes in the region.

The results speak for themselves. Cannabis tax revenue was $895,527.82 in 2021. Despite a slow-down in the market, the city is expecting to stay between $800,000 and $900,000 a year going forward. Cannabis tax revenue accounts for 10% of the city’s general fund.

“We need to stay competitive every year to evaluate our fees and taxes, and we make sure we’re very competitive,” City Manager Ramon Lara told the Sun Gazette.

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