Feb. 5 Daily Briefing: Lower cannabis taxes on the table, museum now part of theater plans, a rare car, and more ⋆ The Palm Springs Post

Welcome to a new week, everyone, where we have a reply to those of you asking how they can score one of the city’s official flags from the city itself: you can’t. The question was asked by many of you after our story last week about the official flag. Staff at City Hall say the question sometimes comes up, but they are not in the flag selling business and there are none for sale here. A quick search on the internet shows any number of companies willing to customize a flag for you, at a price. If you decide to go that route, let us know.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Dreams” cover by Infinity Song

LEADING OFF

The interior of Four Twenty Bank, the city’s largest retail cannabis business.

Council to consider tax cut, license cap to help ailing cannabis businesses

The Palm Springs City Council is set to review new regulations for the city’s retail cannabis industry, including lowering taxes and capping the number of dispensaries, in response to concerns about high taxes, overregulation, and competition driving consumers to the black market.

Driving the news: The proposed changes, to be considered at a Feb. 8 meeting, include reducing the local retail tax on cannabis products from 10% to 5% and limiting the number of retail dispensaries to 25.

The city has currently permitted over 30 cannabis retailers to operate, resulting in one of the highest saturation levels in the state.

State of affairs: The city’s retail cannabis tax revenue has been declining — from $4.4 million in the 2020/2021 budget to a projected $3.2 million in the 2024/2025 budget. The proposed tax reduction could cause even more decline, but would potentially be minimized through increased sales volume.

Looking back: At the time retail cannabis sales were legalized in California, the city elected to let the market dictate the number of dispensaries that would open here. That led to an oversaturation, threatening the industry’s viability.

Zoom in: The proposed cap on licenses aligns with regulations in other cities, which are based on factors such as population size and density, district limits, and proximity of businesses.

For instance, Indio and Los Angeles issue permits based on population size, while San Diego and Chula Vista cap outlets per council district. San Jose and San Francisco regulate based on the clustering of cannabis businesses.

Dive deeper with our full story here.

BRIEFLY

The Plaza Theatre in Downtown Palm Springs.

🎭 Museum planned for historic theater

A new museum celebrating the rich history of the Plaza Theatre and early Palm Springs will now be included in the venue’s renovation plans.

The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation aims to begin construction in March, with the opening set for 2025, unveiling exhibits that commemorate the many famous performers who have graced its stage.
According to J.R. Roberts, the foundation’s president, “[O]ur new museum will showcase the programs, photos, costumes, and other physical items that represent the theatre’s incredible history.”
The museum will also feature displays of the early development of Palm Springs and the theatre’s history.
What to watch for: Roberts is currently putting the call out to residents, asking them to “dig through their closets” and see if they have any Plaza Theatre ephemera they’d be willing to add to the museum’s collection. Email the foundation here or call 760-218-6330 if you have something to contribute.

🚡 Tram road closing for repairs

The road to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will be temporarily closed this week so crews can make permanent repairs after being damaged during recent storms.

According to a local TV news report, the closure will take place today through Wednesday, with reopening tentatively scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday.
Looking back: The roadway was closed Friday after storms on Thursday caused damage. A temporary fix was in place to allow for visitors to use the road this weekend.

TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Mimosas, Martinis & Music
2 p.m. | Spa Resort Casino
Sit back and enjoy the start of the week with cocktails and music. Hosted by MOD 107.3.

Monday Men’s Coffee
6 p.m. | Gre Coffeehouse
Come have coffee and chat with other men about issues that are on your mind. No RSVP required — just drop in!

Fabulous Bingo
7 p.m. | Kings Highway at Ace Hotel
Join Bella Da Ball for a night of fabulous bingo. (Must spend $30 at Kings Highway to participate.)

SAVE THE DATE

Agua Caliente Lecture Series Wednesday at the Agua Caliente Cultural Center.
Rock the Park:Cash, Killer, and The King Wednesday at Downtown Park.
Tour de Palm Springs on Feb. 10, starting and ending in Downtown Palm Springs.
Palm Springs Modernism Week from Feb. 15 – Feb. 25.
Desert Pet Walk benefiting Palm Springs Animal Shelter on Feb. 24.
Black History Parade and Town Fair on Feb. 24.
Palm Springs International Jazz Festival on Feb. 24 and 25.
An evening with PSIPC and Friends on Feb. 29.
Palm Springs Woman’s Club Scholarship Luncheon at the Hilton on March 27.*

* Sponsored placement

AND FINALLY …

Keith McCormick has seen many cars come and go through his world-famous auction business in Palm Springs, but he’s never seen one like this.

Driving the news: A rare 1934 DeSoto Airflow Brougham (pictured above) will be the highlight of his next Palm Springs Collector Car auction, which will take place from Feb. 23 through 25.

The streamlined town car with a “waterfall” grille and a sloping roofline is one of only four known to exist today. Only 522 of the 13,940 DeSoto Airflows sold in 1934 were this model.

Zoom in: “This is the first two-door Airflow I have ever seen.” McCormick told classiccars.com. “(It’s) a very striking and collectible car.”

Looking ahead: The auction will be held at the Palm Springs Convention Center and is free and open to the public on opening day, Feb. 23. A one-day pass on Saturday or Sunday costs $15, or a two-day pass can be purchased for $25.