California didn't legalize it. But L.A. can sure tax it. At least that's the direction the city's headed in after Tuesday's City Council vote that approved a March ballot initiative that will ask for voter approval of a medical cannabis tax.

One more final approval is needed from the council, but Tuesday's 10-4 vote makes the initiative seem like a shoo-in.

The March measure will ask city voters to approve sales taxes of $50 on every $1,000 spent at dispensaries.

But dispensaries are supposed to be “nonprofit collectives.” Yeah, right. The City Council knows the deal and it wants its cut.

Councilwoman Janice Hahn proposed the tax and said it would bring a much needed $3 to $5 million to City Hall.

“Tthis is something we cannot say no to,” she said.

Irie.

-With reporting from City News Service. Got news? Email us. Follow us on Twitter, too: @dennisjromero.

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