Colorado lawmakers start work on marijuana refund proposal

Albuquerque Journal News ^ | 4-22-2015 | Kristen Wyatt, AP

[Citizen Zed]

Colorado lawmakers started work Wednesday on a proposal to ask voters to keep some $58 million in marijuana tax collections.

Colorado voters already approved the taxes on recreational pot sales in 2013. But because that ballot measure didn’t account for a quirk in state law related to new taxes, the money will have to be refunded unless voters again approve the 10 percent sales and 15 percent excise taxes.

Colorado voters approved the taxes the first time by a 2-to-1 margin. The new ballot measure has broad bipartisan support, with lawmakers calling the measure a do-over of what voters already approved.

“We hope the voters understand,” said Rep. Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, one of the sponsors of the ballot measure.

Colorado made a total of about $76 million from marijuana last year, including fees and pre-existing taxes on medical pot. But the refund is required only for the new sales and excise tax collections, which totaled $58 million.

The measure approved by the House Appropriations Committee does more than just ask voters to keep the money, though. It also rearranges how the money would be spent.

For example, the new pot tax measure would set aside $300,000 for the Colorado State Fair. It would also set up a new $2 million “school bullying prevention” fund. Other new items include $1 million for poison control centers.

Lawmakers insisted that the ballot measure is generally consistent with the original voter-approved tax measure. The new measure sets aside $40 million for school construction, the same figure that was proposed to voters when recreational marijuana was first legalized in 2012.

“I hope the voters understand that money is primarily going to be used for programs related to marijuana prevention, treatment, education, and that we literally have already spent some of it,” Rankin said.

[Citizen Zed]

Teach your children well - with marijuana proceeds.

[KarlInOhio]

For example, the new pot tax measure would set aside $300,000 for the Colorado State Fair. It would also set up a new $2 million “school bullying prevention” fund. Other new items include $1 million for poison control centers.

Will any cookies be left after the Colorado government is done with their case of the munchies and gets their hands out of the cookie jar?

[JRandomFreeper]

Typical politician behavior when presented with a pile of cash.

A good solution is to never give them money, and they HATE that.

/johnny

[Da Coyote]

Like the Colorado congresscritters and their drunkard governor are going to let them keep that money.

Never underestermate the sleaze of a politician.

After CW-II, it’ll be the guillotine for ‘em.

[TigersEye]

...the money will have to be refunded unless voters again approve the 10 percent sales and 15 percent excise taxes.

So, pot is taxed at 25%? Which doesn't include fees and pre-existing taxes on medical mj. Thieves!

[Svartalfiar]

“I hope the voters understand that money is primarily going to be used for programs related to marijuana prevention, treatment, education, and that we literally have already spent some of it,” Rankin said.

...Well you peons better approve letting us keep it, cause it's already gone!