DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Weed making too much money in Colorado

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Recreational marijuana use has been legal for more than 13 months in Colorado.

In that time, sales have raised over $50 million for the state, according to Complex.com. Amendment 64, which legalized recreational marijuana in the state stipulated the first $40 million would be set aside to for schools.

However, according to Rolling Stone, the surplus tax revenue from the sale of marijuana is roughly $30 million. Under state law this means that adult Coloradans are now entitled to a refund, which will be in the form of a check for a whopping $7.63.

The state of Colorado has a law on the books titled the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights, which was a voter-sponsored amendment that passed back in 1992, according to the state's treasurer's office. The law mandates that the state treasurer's office must return excess tax revenue to the taxpayers if the amount exceeds a figure that is calculated with a formula that accounts for inflation and population growth.

The law has returned some $2.2 billion to the people of Colorado, according to the Associated Press.

Rolling Stone reports that state lawmakers are now left grasping for ways to put the excess tax revenue genie back in the bottle. This would include introducing a bill that would leave marijuana revenue exempt from taxpayer refunds. Back in 1992, few in the state would have expected Colorado would lead America’s pot revolution and therefore lawmakers left so-called sin tax revenue in the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights.

Not all Coloradans are in favor of giving the government their excess tax money back, seeing how the non-medicinal marijuana consumers are paying a 30 percent tax on sales.

“I don't care if they write me a check, or refund it in my taxes, or just give me a free joint next time I come in,” Aurora, Colo. resident David Huff told the Associated Press. “The taxes are too high, and they should give it back."

Colorado’s windfall hasn't gone unnoticed by other states. After Colorado and Washington state, Oregon and Alaska became the next two states to legalize marijuana with ballot measures succeeding back on November 4, of last year. In Alaska the law goes into effect on February 24 and Oregonians can buy legal pot on July 15, according to the Marijuana Policy Project.

Oregon stands to earn $50 to $100 million in annual tax revenue and Alaska could bring in up to $20 million, according to NerdWallet, who calculated what each state could potentially earn if they were to legalize marijuana.

Washington, D.C., voters approved legal marijuana but Congress, which controls the city’s checkbook, has worked to undermine the ballot measure, according to the Washington Post. Washington city councilors are protesting the move and have submitted their grievances to Capitol Hill for a 30 day Congressional review, according to the Marijuana Policy Project.

one of the biggest problem they are having in Colorado is that they tried to treat weed like tobacco.

You can't have that high of a tax on weed. It's still better to buy it off the streets right now. the taxes simply have to be lowered.

But it goes hand and hand.

Lower the weed tax, get MORE tax revenue, since then it would make sense to buy it legally for most people, and that means less people will buy off the streets.

Right now they are in the same situation as NYC. The high tax isn't making drug cartels viable(since in colorado you can grow your own) but people will just buy from someone growing their own, or get it out of state somewhere else.

This is why politicians need to go to Amsterdam. I've been there god knows HOW many times.

You know the only people smoking weed there is tourist? and mainly americans. Dutch people treat it like anything else since its completely legal: It's not a big deal.

prices right now are insane for legal weed.

I can go on vacation in Amsterdam right, and get a quarter ounce of White Widow for about 25 euro(bout 30 bucks).

A quarter ounce of the same strand here in the states will run me no LESS than 100 bucks. and thats only IF whatever city you're in is dry or not. (Dry means supply is low, so drug dealers jack up the prices).

IMO, just stop treating weed like cigarettes, lower the taxes, and make weed and shrooms legal federally.

The problem in Colorado is that they have collected more than they thought they ever would, not less. People are buying from the "pot stores" left and right.

I believe that it is still illegal to buy pot on the street in any of the states that have decriminalized it? You have to go to a state licensed store, just like with cigarettes. Some of these states will let you grow a small amount for your own personal use, but that's it.

thats not exactly a problem though. atleast not for the citizens.

I guess i was talking more in line of trying to lower taxes so theres no reason to buy off the streets anymore. if they lowered the tax they would get MORE taxes, and thus maybe the tax refund wouldn't even be a problem anymore for the state.

There's no need to buy it on the streets now. Why take chances of going to jail buying pot for a few bucks less on the street, when you can to to the pot store, and buy your pot with the official tax stamp on it.

Think about it .... people could make cigarettes for a whole lot less than they can buy them. Heck, they could grow the stuff and sell it themselves for a lot less. Why don't they? Because the risk just isn't worth it. Both the seller and customer have to be willing to risk going to jail to buy pot on the streets in a state like Colorado. Maybe some sellers might, but how many buyers are going to go out into potentially dangerous neighborhoods, to buy pot? Is a few bucks worth the risk?

How many states can you go to jail for purchasing personal use marijuana anymore?

In the majority of the country, it's more or less the equivalent of a speeding ticket.



No, they can't.

Tobacco is extremely difficult and expensive to grow. It takes land, climate, etc.

Anyone can grow marijuana in a closet with minimal effort or expense.



You've got to be kidding me.

In the last 20 years of purchasing marijuana, I can't think of a single instance where the pursuit or purchase led me to a 'potentially dangerous' neighborhood.


'Potentially dangerous neighborhoods'? We're talking about grass, not crack.

Marijuana is everywhere.

What happens to a person who illegally sells cigarettes? (such as those bought legally on an Indian reservation, for example, and then brought out to sell elsewhere) Jail? Prison?

What do you think will happen when the state is cheated out of its tax revenue by someone caught selling pot on the street? Do you really think that they are just going to say "Oh, that's OK that you are cheating us out of our revenue"? Really?

Further, I believe that most of these pot laws have increased penalties for selling pot outside of the legal system they establish. It is still illegal for anyone not authorized by the state to sell pot in any amount in Colorado.

Well, I am not the pot buying expert, but I have friends wh have used it, and they have told me where they sometimes had to go to buy pot if their regular guy wasn't around. I wouldn't want to go to some of the neighborhoods they went to.

Depends on how much money they have.



First off, I would venture to guess that less than 20% of marijuana sales take place 'on the street' unless you're dumb or poor.

Secondly, it's a built-in network with extremely low odds of getting caught.

And, finally, most likely a fine. It would depend on your wealth and skin color.

The reason marijuana is illegal is because there's more money in it being illegal than the other way around.

They're trying to navigate regulation now, but sometime down the line, the restriction on growing a legal herb will be questioned legally and constitutionally, and it will break down.

As is, I can grow and smoke my own tobacco legally in this country. The reason I can't is that it's difficult and expensive.


You can't tell someone tomatoes are illegal to grow. You can regulate the commerce to an extent, but again, marijuana is currently illegal because of the difficulty and lost revenue that comes from attempting to do so.

Somewhere down the line, and we're looking at a decade plus, it will be legal to grow marijuana for personal use. It's just a matter of time, and I don't see lawmakers wasting that time trying to illogically stiffen the penalties on an herb they are now conceding they were draconian on.

Interested to see what happens in the schools in Colorado and other states legalizing. If , according to Josh Gordon, second hand smoke can live in the system, our kids will begin arriving at school stoned.

But wait, that's not really a problem we can simply blame the teachers and the system.

If you honestly believe the legality of weed makes it easier to get, I believe you are sadly mistaken.

It's easy to get in all 50 states, legal or otherwise.

Really wouldn't know about the availability. That was an activity I particpated in in much younger days. Once I became a professional, the recreational use was simply not worth the risk.

I do believe people who partake will do so more openly qnow and with less inhibition. Children need not be exposed to this activity without a choice. That is all I am eluding to.

Swish, that's a valid thought, but I don't see it happening. That's like trying to convince a sports stadium to lower the price of bottled water from $5 to $2 because they'll sell more. Trust me, they know they have a captive market in their stadium (errr...state) and can charge whatever they want.

Plus, and I've posted this long before in a different thread, but I'm sure the tax people have already done the math and know they'll end up making more money selling $5 water than selling 40% more water at $2 (they need to order, ship, store, sell and then haul all the extra water away). I asked and nobody confirmed but there has to be a formula for this...selling a product to a captive consumer at a high margin will out gain selling more at more competitive price.

Plus, this is part of the "price you pay" for having the luxury of it being legal in your own state I suppose. As you mentioned, you can get it a lot cheaper in Amsterdam, but flying there isn't cheap.

I did see a report that even if it's a state licensed product, a lot of the stuff isn't very natural. Meaning, it's covered in pesticides. An apple I can wash, I don't think someone can wash this green stuff.

I'm no smoker, I'm just interested in this because of the tax benefits and all the money wasted chasing these potheads. As long as they aren't driving around, which I would think could be a big problem, then let them buy, smoke, and sit around watching TV all they want.

Unless you're in NYC, then they choke you out.

Do you think kids started showing up drunk to school after prohibition was repealed?

If a kid shows up to school high, he needs a role model, not government regulation.

As of July 15th here in Oregon I can grow my own. Already have clones lined up.

Much of the recreational sales in Colorado is going to out of state visitors. Most of the locals get their RX cards and buy it on the perscription side of the store. Many dispensaries have two sections one for scripts and one for recreational. Many dispensaries don't sell recreational pot. Those who hold thier medical cards get it at a reduced rate. About half the cost. They also sell seeds so you can grow up to 10 plants for recreational and if you have a medical card you can grow more.

Mm

That makes no sense. Ridiculous to compare the two drugs of choice. Alcohol does not seep into the system. Do you not know the scientific evidence regarding second hand smoke....regardless of the source?

Once again...if a child is getting a contact high from being around a cloud of marijuana smoke, he's in more need of a role model than government regulation.

And as the child of an alcoholic, let me tell you that it seeps into your system in more ways than one.

And why shouldn't we compare the two drugs of choice?

Because when you do a side-by-side, guess which one is more harmful?

N

I am married to a recovering alcoholic...of 24 years. DO NOT require a lesson..

Although I agree about your point of a role model, having worked in the schools for 32 years, has given me an insight into the lives of abused and neglected children as well as those born to active addicts.

You are actually proving my point. Thank you!

My point, yes, alcoholism damages through the dysfunction associated with the addiction.

Weed may damage not only through the dysfunction but physically as well.

Additonally, we will blame the school system for learning issues associated with both, whether it be physical, emotional or otherwise.

Sometimes, it pays to learn from and listen to others with first hand experience involving the topic at hand.

you can't be serious, YTown.

it's not only cheaper to buy off the streets, cops aren't even enforcing it like that anymore.

Here in Ohio you don't even go to jail anymore. 100 grams or less and you just get a ticket. thats it. AND they don't even take the weed from you. I know this why?

1. its ohio law.
2. i've already been pulled over and ticketed.

And that was my own fault. the weed smell in my car was because i was in a rush, I normally put it in my trunk. but i had it in front with me.

and the cigarette statement is completely untrue. you realize how hard it is to grow tobacco? there's a reason they had slaves doing it back in the day.

I could have weed plants in my house and be good. thats how easy it is to grow weed. The risk is worth it because they do it everyday.

And sorry man, but it seems you don't have a beat on the streets anymore. EVERYBODY goes to the hood to buy weed, or any other drugs. all the time. any race, social class, whatever.

so yes, with it being decriminalized, even in colorado, it's cheaper to buy weed off the streets and get more a less a parking ticket, than buy it legally.

once again, its hard as hell to enforce that. cops don't even try too much anymore. you have to go out of your way to get caught selling/buying weed.

this is that nancy grace nonsense.

when i went to colorado i just bought from a homeboy. You're right about the legal weed with the pesticides. thats what happens when government tries to regulate too much.

I agree with you, but it just sucks. it's like they want weed to be legal, but not really. They love the income coming in, but government still views us as a bunch of stoners with no future.

Yes, usual response when you don't like what logic dictates. I will always advocate for children. ...just like Nancy Grace advocates for victims. Even in this case.

not really logic. that was a fear based statement you made, just like nancy grace.

i was a kid too. guess what? i didn't show up to school stoned. the majority of kids don't. and weed and other drugs are prevalent in a lot of communities.

alcohol is legal, yet the majority of kids aren't show up to school drunk.

come on now.

Swish, really now? You just following PDR's response? Comparing the two drugs of choice is absolutely ludicrous.

There is nothing that anyone on this board or elsewhere will ever say to make it o.k. to smoke weed in the presence of a child. EVER!!!

Adults do as you choose. Colorado and anyone else can legalize...who cares? Just leave the children out of it. Fear based...I think not. Reality thinking with all my brain cells intact ...perhaps!

please, go through this thread and point out where anybody said it was ok to smoke around kids.

don't worry, i'll wait.

you're trying to say that legalizing weed will make it more exposed to kids.

thats fear based.

I mean seriously, you and YTown are the reasons kids ask their parents "you used to be a kid? really?"

you think anything being legal or not is gonna stop kids from being exposed to it?

porn is illegal to minors. but guess what i was figuring out how to get when i was 13+....

cigarettes are illegal to minors. does that stop kids from trying to buy smokes?

alcohol is illegal to anyone under 21. but should i even mention prom? wait, let me guess, you didn't go, right? cause you're a good girl who never did anything bad.

kids, especially teens with their rebellious asses, will stop at nothing to get what they want, especially when their are told they can't have it. I know, because clearly unlike you, i remember what it was like to be a teenager.

I don't smoke around my kids. ever. but do you think just because i don't, it will stop them from smoking weed with their friends?

no.

One thing I will agree with you about is this ...... I hop that the police will be able to devote more resources to violent crimes and heavier drug trafficking, as a result of these pot laws. I do not agree with using pot, but I also don't believe that it is a whole lot worse than abusing alcohol.

In a time where police, and all other governmental departments, local and federal, are struggling for funding, I do think that we need to prioritize the use of police departments, and I don't know that popping small time pot sellers and users is the best use of our money/forces.

Yep.

Look, I'm all about Freedom. Weed....I'm a stoner so of course i'm going to defend it, but its not all bad.

but in my experience bro? that hard stuff like cocaine and heroin straight up DESTROYS families. It's a huge problem nation wide, but here in ohio, it seems like its becoming more and more a problem. I know you see it YTown.

Thats what the cops need to be cracking down on. hell, and this is just my opinion, i wish they legalize weed in ohio, and take that tax money and raid the hell out of all these meth and heroin dealers and users. and I gotta grow my own plants then fine. but those hard drugs is just....man you can psychically see the effects it has on people. crazy.

How many people sell just pot, and how many sell pot plus other, harder drugs?

Not near as many as Law & Order SVU would have you believe. Drug dealing is all about the flipping quickly. Since most people stop at weed, dealers don't have the customer base to deal harder drugs.

just depends honestly. there are guys who sell just weed, its like a side hustle. beer money.

the harder drugs? There's a system in place. you can't just buy the drugs. you gotta meet the dealer. nobody wants to get busted with it.

it's a complicated system. i can tell you if you want.

I'll take your word for it. You would know better than I would. My closest information comes from my brother who works for the Sheriff's Department, based on the people who wind up in the County Jail.

The funniest thing people that know nothing say about pot is how it's a "gateway drug". Are you kidding? That's like saying alcohol is a gateway drug. Well, wait…maybe it IS a gateway drug to eating chips and cookies. I know back in the late 80's three of us ate an entire bag of Oreo's one night.

Interesting. I have said on this board before, that if the government lowered taxes, they would increase revenue as people would be willing to spend more money, and invest more money. I was told how wrong I was.

I wouldn't call taking an issue being discussed, turning into a completely different discussion, and then admonishing a supposed group advocating this made up viewpoint 'reality thinking'.

No one here has advocated or rationalized smoking marijuana around children.

After you've been arrested 28 times!

Civil rights laws and police procedure isn't meant for just law abiding citizens.

I don't understand the relevancy of how many times a man has been arrested when examining whether or not he should've been killed over a minor crime.

Whether or not you find his long rap sheet to be irrelevant or trivial, the lesson learned is when you resist arrest, you have chosen to risk injury or death.