On November 8, 2016, Portland voters passed Ballot Measure 26-180, establishing a three percent tax on recreational marijuana sales in the city of Portland. Revenues from this Recreational Cannabis Tax (RCT) are allocated to drug and alcohol treatment, public safety investments, and support for neighborhood small businesses.
Since fiscal year (FY) 2018-19, Prosper Portland has received an annual allocation of RCT revenues to support community economic development activities and programs consistent with Portland City Code 6.07.145, which stipulates that cannabis revenue tax funds can be used to provide “support for neighborhood small businesses, especially women-owned and minority-owned businesses, including but not limited to business incubator programs, management training, and job training opportunities; and providing economic opportunity and education to communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition.”
In 2020, Portland City Council committed to supporting Reimagine Oregon, which began as a statewide initiative created by Black-led organizations and individuals working to dismantle systematic racism in Oregon, by providing approximately $1,500,000 of RCT revenue on an annual basis. Funding for this program was initially administered through the City Office of Community and Civic Life, but in 2023, City Council redirected administration of annual Reimagine Oregon program funds, in addition to $4,800,000 of one-time funding, to Prosper Portland for inclusion in the fiscal year (FY) 2023-24 budget.