The group behind a measure that would allow up to three medical marijuana dispensaries to open in Palo Alto may not be flush with campaign contributions, but that isn’t stopping it from spending hand over fist as the Nov. 6 election looms.

Financial statements filed Monday show the Yes on C campaign collected no money between July 1 and Sept. 30. In fact, the group — Californians for the Taxation and Regulation of Medical Marijuana, a Project of the California Association of Patients, Caregivers, Cooperatives and Collectives — has received no financial support this year other than a non-monetary contribution valued at $2,500.

But the group has spent a total of $80,216 on the campaign this year, including $9,624 since the beginning of July. Expenditures made so far include $48,592 for consulting services and $13,500 for polling and survey research. The rest has been for professional services.

Yes on C treasurer Russell Miller and assistant treasurer Rebecca Olson could not be reached immediately for comment Wednesday.

If passed by a majority of voters, Measure C would roll back a 1996 city ban on medical marijuana dispensaries and allow as many as three to set up shop. They couldn’t be located within 150 feet of any residential zone, 600 feet of any public or private school, or 500 feet of any library, park, licensed day care center or substance abuse rehabilitation center.

A tax of 4 cents per dollar would also be imposed on all gross receipts, according to the ballot language.

No formal campaign has been mounted to defeat Measure C, but it has attracted opponents, including the city council. Last month, council members unanimously passed a resolution in opposition. Mayor Yiaway Yeh and Vice Mayor Greg Scharff spearheaded the effort, writing in a memo that dispensaries would increase crime and send a message to youths that marijuana has no negative side effects.

The Palo Alto couple who initially backed the measure, Thomas and Cassandra Moore, maintains it will have the opposite effect.

“As longtime residents of Palo Alto, we believe in the character of our community,” the Moores wrote in a ballot argument. “This measure will strengthen that character by providing medicine to our terminally ill neighbors, generating revenue for city services, and protecting our neighborhoods.”

Email Jason Green at jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; follow him at twitter.com/ jgreendailynews.