Recreational Pot Not Bringing In Tax Money That Was Expected

denver.cbslocal.com ^ | 9/2/2014 | Unknown

[rktman]

High hopes for tax money isn’t as expected as the state’s legal marijuana industry isn’t bringing in as much money as anticipated. In fact, tax revenue is way below expectations.

When voters approved recreational marijuana sales the state predicted it would pull in more than $33 million in new taxes in the first six months. The actual revenue came up more than $21 million short.

The problem is that buying pot is less expensive on the streets where people don’t have to pay taxes or fees.

Medical marijuana is also less expensive than recreational pot, so those with medical cards are sticking to buying that way.

[gdani]

Too many people are happy with the police state and the war on drugs that steal their freedoms.

You men the same people who claim to be for individual liberty, states rights & limited government but hypocritically support a thoroughly failed War on (Some) Drugs?

[gdani]

"How much is being saved on police not busting down THE WRONG people’s doors, shooting their dogs……"

I don't think any doors should be busted down for marijuana. I'm for small government.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Yup. And many of those people are here on FR.

[RightGeek]

The problem is that buying pot is less expensive on the streets where people don’t have to pay taxes or fees.

LOL. It's the selling of untaxed cigarettes part 2.

[Scrambler Bob]

a voracious government trying to collect as much tax money as possible —

Maybe the IRS should think about getting SWAT, to be ready.

[Responsibility2nd]

Very true. And add to this an explosion in welfare and unemployment rates.

Already data is coming out of the mile-HIGH state that suggests more stoners means the obvious:

More dopers freeloading in Mom’s basement unable to pass a drug test to get a job.

[AppyPappy]

If the state isn’t getting the revenue they want, some doors and dogs will have to suffer.

[tacticalogic]

You men the same people who claim to be for individual liberty, states rights & limited government but hypocritically support a thoroughly failed War on (Some) Drugs?

Kind of like GWB. Claimed to support an "original intent" interpretation of the Constitution when he was campaigning, then his AG sent DOJ lawyers before the USSC to argue upholding Wickard v Filburn in the Raisch case.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

I’ll catch up the taxes on the next bag.

[cuban leaf]

But think of all the money they are saving on DEA raids!

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

They just thought up new reasons to shoot dogs

[Responsibility2nd]

Too many people are happy with the police state and the war on drugs that steal PROTECT their freedoms.

Fixed it. And yes, this is true.

[vpintheak]

The black market strikes! They better make selling drugs illegal! The government hates competition.

[moehoward]

Agreed. Never have cared much for legalization because of the added bureaucracy and enforcement that it brings. Decriminalization is the way to go.

[csvset]

A bit off topic, but I saw this story about the IRS and tech companies and free food.

The IRS Is Auditing The Free Food Tech Employees Get In Silicon Valley Cafeterias

[Buckeye McFrog]

More dopers freeloading in Mom’s basement unable to pass a drug test to get a job.

You just KNOW a ban on pre-employment drug testing is the next thing coming to the ballot.

[Izzy Dunne]

The problem is that buying pot is less expensive on the streets where people don’t have to pay taxes or fees.

Gee. Too bad nobody figured that out before.

[FatherofFive]

Liberals have a long and unbroken record of being wrong about virtually everything they choose to lead.

A short list

WAR ON POVERTY
NATIONAL SECURITY
GUN CONTROL
TAXES
EDUCATION
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
GAY RIGHTS
OBAMACARE
DEPT OF ENERGY
COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT (CRA)
SOCIAL SECURITY
WAR ON DRUGS
SARBANES OXLEY
IMMIGRATION REFORM

Epic and TOTAL failure.

[Ingtar]

If it were going to be legalized, the approach used with alcohol would have been better, in some respects. Stiff penalties for distributing to minors and driving under the influence would be better. As for thinking they could tax something that can be grown with such ease, they are Libs and never get what they planned.