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Colorado became one of the first states to legalize the substance outright in 2012 through Amendment 64. Yet, marijuana continues to be recognized federally as a Schedule I drug.
In a release Mason Tvert, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) said, “Colorado is demonstrating to the rest of the nation that it is possible to end marijuana prohibition and successfully regulate marijuana like alcohol. It is only a matter of time before voters and lawmakers in other states recognize the benefits and adopt similar policies.”
The MPP supported Proposition AA and was the largest financial backer of the Amendment 64 campaign in 2012.
Amendment 64 legalized the possession and sale of marijuana to individuals 21 years of age and older. What Prop AA does is tax the drug, a 15 percent wholesale tax for when it is first sold by a ‘commercial’ grower. Secondly, it creates a 10 percent sales tax for retail purchases in addition to the state’s existing 2.9 percent sales tax.
Colorado’s election comes just weeks after a Gallup Poll which showed that 58 percent of Americans, the highest figure since the poll was started, supported the legalization of marijuana.
Photo credit: Marijuana Community Association
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206 comments
I think the tax should be the regular sales tax(per state)..no more... 15% is thievery..the Govt will get enough money for nothing..hopefully the money will be apportioned to something usefull
Environmentally this is a no brainier but those who profit in the paper industry I'm sure they would have a totally different point of view. To Not go forward on hemp is just very close minded and stupid. On the other side of hemp as far a recreational use,alcohol is far more dangerous and addictive than hemp. How many tragic stories have you ever heard that involved someone using hemp,people are always going to find a means to escape reality(Get High),wether it be alcohol or a Numerous things they can hey their hands on some why NOT make a profit. Money off of the taxes can be used so we can (CATCHnUP) to other countries in Education or numerous other things. This is a really easy decision,and to some of those out there leave religion out it.
It's a GREAT and extremely profitable idea.. Thousands of jobs,and several millions or more in taxes that can be used to rebuild this country,or pay our MASSIVE debut we owe to other countries,takes several hundred of millions of dollars away from drug dealer,and growers and so on. And even after all of that on the industrial side we can save several thousands of trees,Hemp is much cheaper,and a hell of a lot easier,and quicker to grows versus a tree. Just on the industrial side of the argument Hemp is about as green as it gets as far as env
good tax raiser. Lets go all the way and make it nationwide,then amnesty for all pot "crimes". The war on drugs only benefits the police state and the prison slave labor industry.
That is hilarious, we didn't legalize it because we thought it was the right thing to do (which I do not) but because we needed to raise revenue!
One question. Is driving while "high" legal? If not how do you enforce? How do you test drivers?
If they did that it would cut into the pockets of so many of these dirty politicians who make money from the sale of ILLEGAL drugs and pot. They don't want to do that.
Indeed, also have wiccan prayers and reading of their books done in public. I bet you'd love letting your kids see that! There's other religions other than your own.
As Joe said, the reality is that people would rather buy from the stores than put themselves as risk with violent people.
An Aberration, A Totally Irresponsible Action! No Good Example at All to Our Children's and/or Future Generations! Shamefully and Disrespectfully Decision! Destroying USA Family Values Will get us in a Lot of Troubles and also Will Demise Our Christian Base Culture~ If we Allowed Drug Addicted Irresponsibles to Get Power from the Government in Change for Money, this Will be Certainly Our End as a First World Leader and the One's Who Fiercely Defend and Promote Freedom and Democracy Around the Hole World! Say No to Legalize Marijuana Use unless is for Medical Reasons Only and very Well Controlled! Stupid Democrats Libertarians with Feathers and Skins of Morbid Bureaucrats and "Fantasy Intelectuals" GBYAT~
I'm a bit mixed on this one - taxing recreational use is fine, but separating recreational from medicinal use could be a tough job.
@Barry Chase Drug dogs will still have plenty to do as they are trained on multiple substances. There should be less interdiction, so much fewer arrests for illegal dealing/selling but increased driving offenses.
@Jodi Padjen Hortin there are 2 distinct forms of cannabis in marijuana. When synthesized in pill form, the type of cannabis that aids in pain relief has much less of a high effect and most consumers don't like the decreased effect, despite the fact that it still helps.
@Scott Larson, all schedule I & II substnces have pysically addictive properties except for LSD. Why do you think they work? Cannabis occurs naturally in the body; artificially increasing the amounts in the body inceease the body's tolerance and so create an increased need. This is the progressive nature of substance use. When the artifcial incertion of cannabis is removed, people become more irritable, more anxious, have decreased appetite as part of withdrawal. Cannabis is very mild compared to others. The physically addictive properties of cannabis are well documented. Please refer to NIDA for more information and resources.
As a substance abuse treatment provider I very much support the Colorado law. Use, licensing and sales and taxes are all well defined and regulated. The social ills associated with cannabis are no where near the social ills associated with other substances. I like that it is taxed and controlled by the state as this serves to lessen black market effects, through there will still be a need for interdiction. Tax money will also need to be used to fund medical and treatment efforts that will surely be needed as a result of increased use. Almost half of all DUI's are cannabis related. This will surely increase with legalization, thus creating a greater demand for treatment and more court super vision. High taxes will be needed to fund all these things.
Yes I quite understand , I am 64 years old American and I do very well understand and I understand I would never vote for marijuana .
Cannabis drug testing is stupid. All it tells you is that sometime in the past 30 days the person consumed.Businesses will adapt.
Rebecca, reality disagrees with your theory. In the states that have legal marijuana stores, those stores are widely popular among marijuana consumers.
Does Linda Ramos understand the difference between a state government and the federal government?
If the govt has to tax the hell out of something to keep people from buying it ,it shouldn't be made legal.
Edward - different part of the bill. We're allowed to grow up to five plants for personal use.
We passed the legalization amendment Mark. We did it various reasons, but one of the biggest argument people used to trot out was the "legalize it and tax it, the same as alcohol" statement. That's what we've done. There's no pleasing people ...
Good, now arrest those selling without a license and or failure to pay taxes. How are they controlling those who grow their own?
Lol, you dummies thought it was about "freedom"! It's always about taxes! Follow the $, people, they don't give a rat's behind about your freedom.
Pretty sure that there will still be a hefty "black market" for the whacky weed. The growers, distributors and users already have solid networks, so why invite the taxation when they can just go around it? Day late, dollar short, possibly.
Way over priced as it is and the state decides the price. What was killing my pain for $20 2 years ago is now $90 and when you are a regular user for pain the "Power" of $20 is the same as the $90.......STOP TAXING EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!
I support legalization. I would much rather deal with someone high on weed than drunk on alcohol. That said they need to be watchful how greedy they are with the taxes. Push too hard and you push them right back into the dealers who might sell for cheaper. Another item is the impact to law enforcement... Specifically drug dogs. They would have to be retired and the program changed to avoid lawsuits that would simply bog down the court system.
That should assure that the black market stay in business, WA. Is in the process of of getting greedy also
yes I have never done pot but I have seen many drunks and some high on pot and the pot smokers came home mellow to their families and go to work next day' the drinkers are more likely to wreck abuse spouse and children etc
Hell yes it's a good idea, Now if the rest of the states would follow their lead we would all be in a better state of mind.
why not every thing else is legal except praying on public and Bible reading and say the Pledge of Alligience
I have MS and marijuana is an accepted form of medication in Europe. It comes in pill form. I would give anything to get relief from my pain...If its taxed and controlled why not.
