Marijuana News

Recreational marijuana tax measures were all over Colorado’s 2013 election ballots yesterday, from several municipal taxes of 3-5% to the state-wide 25% tax Proposition AA.

colorado-marijuana-tax-measures-pass Source: http://watchdog.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2013/04/shutterstock_63830662.jpgProposition AA passed by almost 2 votes to 1. Although the 25% tax is much higher than necessary, Prop AA will secure the school funding that encouraged many Coloradans to vote for Amendment 64. It will also pay for the regulation of the marijuana industry and, unless the Marijuana Enforcement Division is as wasteful with the funds as the old Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division, show that such a high tax on marijuana is unnecessary before too many other states pass legalization measures.

Several Colorado cities and counties had their own local marijuana taxes to tack on, apparently feeling that Amendment 64’s promise to help fund schools and regulation meant “Please, tax the shit out of cannabis.” And apparently voters across the state agree: Littleton, Denver, Pueblo, Fraser, Carbondale, Eagle, Boulder and Manitou Springs all passed their own additional marijuana taxes.

For those who opposed Prop AA and these other excessive tax measures, do not feel defeated. Disappointed in the low voter turnout, certainly, but not defeated. Our fortunate-but-unfortunate friends in Washington have a much higher tax rate than ours, and theirs is built right in to I-502. If that isn’t enough to remind you that legal weed is still a wonderful thing, remember that here in Colorado all adults over 21 have the right to grow our own.