The fight to legalize weed is being conducted all over the world. Last week, 8,000 people took to Santiago’s streets to support legalization of the consumption and cultivation of marijuana, currently classed as a “class-A”hard drug in Chile. They were peaceful, boisterous, and had banners than would make soccer fans envious. Most upsetting to the great citizens of Chili? Their neighbor, Uruguay, has already given pot the green light and is having a really good time….
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The Tax Revenue From Legalize Weed Is Pouring Into Colorado
(Denver Post) Colorado recorded its biggest recreational marijuana tax haul yet in April, topping more than $3.5 million in sales and excise taxes, according to numbers released Monday.
In all, the state’s recreational marijuana stores sold more than $22 million worth of product in April, likely boosted by the 4/20 marijuana holiday that brought hundreds of cannabis tourists to town. Overall, though, medical marijuana sales continued to outpace recreational sales, with lower-taxed medical-marijuana stores doing more than $31 million in sales during the month.
So far this year, Colorado has brought in nearly $11 million in sales and excise taxes on recreational marijuana. The total take of recreation and medical marijuana taxes and fees is nearly $18 million.
The new numbers were released on the same day that marijuana activists announced plans to sue the state over recreational pot taxes. According to a copy of the lawsuit sent to the media, the activists argue that the taxes are unconstitutionally high.
Shoppers at recreational marijuana stores pay 12.9 percent in general and special state sales taxes, as well as a 15 percent excise tax that is applied at the wholesale level.
The lawsuit argues those rates violate the constitutional provision voters approved in 2012, which specified that recreational marijuana should be taxed “in a manner similar to alcohol.” The activists say alcohol taxes are much lower.
Attorney Rob Corry, who is representing the activists, said he filed the lawsuit Monday.
More marijuana dispensaries continue to open. As of June 3, more than 200 marijuana dispensaries were licensed, according to the state Department of Revenue. That’s about half of the more than 500 total shops statewide that are eligible to obtain a retail marijuana sales license.
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IN LEGALIZING IT FOR THE MASSES, WE SEEMED TO HAVE SCREWED THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PEEPS
The lazy-ass staff at Higher Ground would like to thank Steve Elliot and the Seattle Weekly for their excellent coverage of the ongoing trials and tribulations regarding the legalization of marijuana in Washington State. Steve Elliott edits Toke Signals, tokesignals.com, an irreverent, independent blog of cannabis news, views, and information.
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Oregon Legalization on the November Ballot
Second time may be a charm for cannabis is Oregon. The initiative has gathered enough signatures for another vote on legalizing marijuana.
If it passes this November, Oregon will become the latest in a string of U.S. states to liberalize marijuana laws, either for recreational or medical use. Alaska will also vote this year, then California in 2015, and the tide will have turned….
READ MORE at Reuters
