Colorado is missing $21.5 million in pot taxes (politicians, rating, money)

[RecentlyMoved]

I would imagine its challenging to control and tax a 100% natural plant (like basil and parsley) that grows in the wild and can be consumed with no processing.

The entire premise that cannabis is illegal is beyond absurd!

[pknopp]

Originally Posted by Casper in Dallas

Correct, seems like a stupid idea to begin with, simply decriminalize it or at least make the taxes such that those buying it do not believe they are getting bent over the table.

Taxes really aren't the major contributor to the costs here it seems. Yes, they are still too high but take out the taxes and the cost is still near $200 an ounce. There isn't a justification for that.

[jacqueg]

Originally Posted by Casper in Dallas

I was not talking about tobacco

My misunderstanding. To me, smokers mean cigarette users, who may or may not also be potheads.

[jacqueg]

Originally Posted by pknopp

Taxes really aren't the major contributor to the costs here it seems. Yes, they are still too high but take out the taxes and the cost is still near $200 an ounce. There isn't a justification for that.

What, you don't think supply and demand play into the retail price of legal pot? I'm surprised to hear you say that.

[dsjj251]

Originally Posted by 3~Shepherds

Watch Drug Wars and the people say legalizing pot the way the pot shops have done will make their pockets much deeper.

All most pot smokers wanted was to grow their own and not do time for a pot possession. Pot Shops were more for those who thought serious pot smokers would come running to.

Yuppies never learn they just push to be cool, never really understanding the core of pot culture.

Pot Culture(grow their own) ???

I have never met a single person who grew their own pot.

[dsjj251]

Originally Posted by Finn_Jarber

It seems they collected less that third of what they thought. Why am I not surprised?


Voters legalized retail marijuana (pot for everyone, not just medical patients) in 2012. And they were told the state wouldpull in $33.5 million from two new taxes in the first six months of 2014. It turns out, the projections were way off.

Colorado's missing marijuana taxes - Sep. 2, 2014

so its not missing then, they just collected less revenue than expected. What is your point ?

[pknopp]

Originally Posted by jacqueg

What, you don't think supply and demand play into the retail price of legal pot? I'm surprised to hear you say that.

Pot can be grown by the acres. The number demanding it is far less than those demanding corn or wheat or even regular tobacco.

You are getting screwed over. I'd like to see all the problems associated with prohibition dealt with. The illegal market is still going to thrive just as some have noted all along. It shouldn't be good enough that the risk of arrest is lessened. That is only one problem that needed dealt with.

[dsjj251]

Originally Posted by Kibby

Not just the "State's argument" -- it's also been the argument and rational of the Left and the so-called "libertarians". The cry was "Legalize Pot" and States can balance their budgets with the Tax revenue.

Turns out that "Taxes" are unwelcome when it comes to their Pot. WhodaThunkIt

a 3rd of 30 million is still 10 million more dollars in revenue than the state had the previous year.

While a state may not be able to balance their budgets on that, its still more revenue.

[cruxan]

half the cigarettes sold in New York are sold via black market!!!! wonder why

[Finn_Jarber]

Originally Posted by wutitiz

It's even worse in WA where we also legalized pot. The tax is so high (pun intended) that the black market continues to thrive.

Marijuana addicts have been criminals for years, so they do not hesitate to continue disrespecting the law by buying from black market.