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Can Cannabis Tax Bail Out California? PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 24 February 2009 00:06
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The day after former San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk was celebrated by Hollywood, another former Supe made his bid for history by sponsoring a bill that would legalize marijuana in California.Tom Ammiano

"California has the opportunity to be the first state in the nation to enact a smart, responsible public policy for the control and regulation of marijuana," Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-SF) said in a press conference. "With the state in the midst of an historic economic crisis, the move towards regulating and taxing marijuana is simply common sense."

Watch Ammiano's press conference

The Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act (AB 390) would "remove all penalties under California law for the cultivation, transportation, sale, purchase, possession and use of marijuana, natural THC and paraphernalia by persons over the age of 21." It would also "prohibit local and state law enforcement officials from enforcing federal marijuana laws."

If passed, the bill could generate more $1 billion by taxing the state's top crop, estimated at $14 billion in 2006.

Ammiano is calling for a $50 tax on every ounce sold - approximately $1 per joint.

California NORML's Dale Gieringer issued the following statement:

"Ammiano's bill is the first of its kind since California outlawed cannabis in 1913. Only after being prohibited did marijuana become widely popular, eventually being enjoyed by millions of Californians. Due to soaring enforcement costs, the legislature decriminalized possession of small quantities in the Moscone Act of 1975, saving the state's taxpayers $100 million per year.

"However, production and distribution remained illegal, leading to continued Prohibition-related enforcement costs. Last year, agents eradicated a record five million illegal plants, up more than tenfold in five years. Marijuana arrests jumped to 74,119 in 2007, their highest level since the Moscone Act. California has over 1,500 inmates in state prison for marijuana offenses, 10 times as many as in 1980. Marijuana is reported to account for 61% of the illicit drug traffic from Mexico, where Prohibition-related violence has killed over 6,800.

"Tom Ammiano deserves credit for recognizing that legal taxation and regulation is the only solution to California's marijuana problem. Marijuana users would happily pay taxes to buy it legally."

Do you agree with Gieringer and Ammiano? Are you ready to pay taxes on marijuana? Let us know.


Also see:

Pot Potency Hits All-Time High

More Marijuana News

Comments (22)
22 Saturday, 02 January 2010 02:56
John
Finally we have medical marijuana in Maine
21 Saturday, 21 March 2009 04:26
Mike361
I'm happy to see California take the lead in this issue. Let's get the ball rolling. I've been a sober stoner for the past four years and it's not cause I can't get any. It's always around me and I have to turn down the offer because I work for the government and I get ransoms. I hate cancer sticks and I'm not a big drinker. I wouldn't mind coming home after a long day to relax with a toke of some good marijuana. As far as the $50 tax, who cares. It's better the a fine or jail time which can ruin a young person's life if they have drug convictions on their record. Besides, that tax is not going to be placed on this dirty weed we are used to getting from Mexico. It will be placed on higher quality stuff that you see in your high times or skunk mags. Who would want that stuff anyways when you can always have your choice of the primo stuff? I say legalize it and start the change or a new and better America!
20 Sunday, 01 March 2009 07:29
Erik in San Diego
@Will Never Pass: You must not live in CA. Even with crime down and pot arrests down, there will ALWAYS be a need for cops. For once they might actually get to fight more REAL crime instead of hauling off kids to jail for smoking a joint.
19 Sunday, 01 March 2009 03:28
look america,quit lying to me
Isn't america one nation,ok,how is it noone is realy together as one ,laws or otherwhy's,I learned nothing but lies in school about 50 states joined to make one undivided nation,none of it is true, so why lie.
18 Saturday, 28 February 2009 20:23
Mikee_
Finally someone using his head instead of letting Greed control him through the Pharmaceuticals. Tobacco kills 450 K and alcohol causes death violence, and its perfectly legal. While Marijuana hasn't killed anyone yet we are ruining the lives of hundreds of thousands of people by throwing them in Jail. How are we helping them? This is a Godsend idea, we will bankrupt the criminals, and help law enforcement concentrate on real issues, such as violent crimes, rape, murders, etc. At the same time give create Jobs for thousands of Californians, bring in Income and created Billions in Taxes. LEGALIZE IT! Mike T.
17 Wednesday, 25 February 2009 15:35
ew keane
After the end of prohibition, cultivation could take place on established agricultural land, rather than on public lands and nature preserves. Cheap fibre and dope, produced with domestic labor, prices fall and competion with price tags begins. Dollars flow within domestic states among law abiding citizens, and evil international banks loose their laundry franchise.
16 Wednesday, 25 February 2009 13:25
Akonyte
All American citizens 18 plus may grow 1/10th acre tobacco for personal use, and head of household may brew up to 200 gallons of alcohol each year. Most people will not grow their own marijuana, they will simply drive to the local store and buy it already grown, cleaned and rolled. Home growers and brewers are hobbists and always will be the minority. Sure, many people will try to grow it, it will be too much trouble and they will give it up. Its human nature to want it NOW.
15 Wednesday, 25 February 2009 07:31
Yea Right
Look Folks, its a great Idea, since we spend alot of money each year on the so called "drug war"... However... It will never pass... First and foremost, Police wouldn't want it, because without seized drug money, and drug busts... there would be alot less crime, and so there wouldn't be a need for half of them... Secondly, Drug Cartel's have lots of money and would have "lobbyists" too... and they will definately work to make this never happen, they will spend millions fighting it in court if it ever even so much as looked like it could possibly pass... they don't want to loose the money and power they have over their gangs....third, You would grow your own pot, so there wouldnt be any taxes from sales... because there won't be any sales... and even if some people did sell (not on a large brand scale) they won't want to pay the taxes anyways... so they wouldn't... These are just a couple of the major reasons this will never happen...
14 Wednesday, 25 February 2009 05:55
Steve1261
Won't pass anyways. Doesn't even stand a stance, nor would it stay in place as well if it were to pass due to if the bill was brought to the supreme court -- the Supreme Court would not allow a bill to compromise the rights of citizens of the USA. You have rights as a citizen so long as your rights don't conflict with mine. If you're smoking in public, and I have the right to be sober -- you're conflicting with my right. I would gladly fight this in court, and would easily win as well.
13 Wednesday, 25 February 2009 05:46
Medical cannabis of the Rockies
This is freakin awesome. Someone has to be the first to do it why not Cali they are hurting more than any other state and the honest truth is this is the only thing that will save the state in a rapid manner. And we get our first of many victories. Oh and people it says $50 tax, it doesn't actually say what the price will be when you walk in to a smoke shop to buy. Whatever it is there will be a $50 tax, so if they keep relative street/black market prices you will be paying in excess of $400 a zone and thats only till they figure out there are different strains and then they start charging more for different strains. FUCK IT IF MEANS WE SMOKE LEGALLY.....FIRE IT UP!!! But if they are going to take it away and say the government can only sell it and nobody else can grow it, we are fucked big time just like before. they will regulate the shit out of the potency and the price. Basically shittier herb for more money.LETS JUST HOPE FOR ALL AROUND CANNABIS FREEDOM!
12 Wednesday, 25 February 2009 01:52
CindowsXP
Who cares if it is $50 an oz, it would be legal. That is the key step in moving forward in any sense. So I would gladly pay $1 a joint extra in taxes.
11 Tuesday, 24 February 2009 23:19
Dustin Smokes
if they tax it at 50 bucks per ounce does that mean it will be like 200 an oz from the retailer?
10 Tuesday, 24 February 2009 22:08
Tom Collins
Finally I hate being treated like a criminal for something harmless. This bill has HUGE potenitial.
9 Tuesday, 24 February 2009 21:41
The Bloody Yank
Well, this will get the ball rolling. Maybe this will help some of our less-brain using citizens understand that the hype surrounding cannabis was just BS. All the same if this thing passes there is still much work to do. Look at Mass - they're still putting out little fires after they passed their referendum. That said; GO CALI GO! Bring it home, baby!!!!
8 Tuesday, 24 February 2009 21:26
Blacklions714
Yes, this is the most brilliant idea ever, to legalize marijuana in California. This would make California the Economic giant it once was in the past again. People from around the country and the World would come live here and bring money and Ideas to save California and even America. Wow, I nearly lost all of my hope for America. We in America my still have a chance to make it after all.
7 Tuesday, 24 February 2009 19:22
BillinCA
First, take a refresher on the legislative process in California.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/guide.html#Appendix

Then find out who represents your district.
Write them. e-mail them, call them.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html
6 Tuesday, 24 February 2009 19:15
kingfish
This is not going to work. First how is the goverment going to tax something that anyone could grow? If they impose a tax then if you are caught growing it does this become a federal offense? These officials are just trying to get more money out of us, just say no! Think about it more. Legalize it and move on. Power to the People!
5 Tuesday, 24 February 2009 18:30
sensiblestan
it took this long? wow. all i can say is bring the bill on a tour across the nation....lets get this country buzzn &out of debt

peace and love
4 Tuesday, 24 February 2009 18:01
Spike
Couldn't be a better time. Will generate a lot of revenue and cut some enforcement costs. Plus, alchohol and tobacco are legal and they kill more people in a week than marijuana has ever killed, not to mention violence and health problems. Needs to be done.
3 Tuesday, 24 February 2009 06:11
Dave Green
The tax seems to be a little high, however,the market is going to determine what happens.
The reason to legalize is to get money from the sales tax. If the sales tax is too high then it will still be distributed through the black market.
The other thing is, 50 joints per Oz.? must be really small joints.
Thanks, Dave Green
2 Tuesday, 24 February 2009 01:53
deathtobanksters
This is one of the most sensible proposals in a long time. I am not a marijuana user, was when younger. The greatest opponent to this will be the local courts who make so much money off prohibition enforcement. The original plant deserves a place on turtle island, one of honor. Only free men (and women) have the right to alter their consciousness.Peace.
1 Tuesday, 24 February 2009 01:00
Pauliver
A little over five bucks an eighth wouldn't hurt the pockets of most stoners that much, I don't think. And it would keep people from having to tie in with the medicinal supply system for bullshit reasons to get legal weed.
yvComment v.1.24.0
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