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California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana

 
Reece2076
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07/22/2009 08:28 AM
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California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
Oakland voters pass pot tax to boost city coffers

OAKLAND, Calif. – Oakland residents overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to approve a first-of-its kind tax on medical marijuana sold at the city's four cannabis dispensaries.

Preliminary election results showed the measure passing with 80 percent of the vote, according to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

The dispensary tax was one of four measures in a vote-by-mail special election aimed at raising money for the cash-strapped city. All four measures won, but Measure F had the highest level of support.

Scheduled to take effect on New Year's Day, the measure created a special business tax rate for the pot clubs, which now pay the same $1.20 for every $1,000 in gross sales applied to all retail businesses. The new rate will be $18.

Oakland's auditor estimates that based on annual sales of $17.5 million for the four clubs, it will generate an estimated $294,000 for city coffers in its first year.

Pot club owners, who openly sell pot over the counter under the 1996 state ballot measure that legalized medical marijuana use in California, proposed Measure F as a way to further legitimize their establishments.

"It's good business and good for the community," said Richard Lee, who owns the Coffee Shop SR-71 dispensary and Oaksterdam University, a trade school for budding dispensary workers.

The measure had no formal opposition; in November 2004, a ballot initiative that required Oakland police to make arresting adults using marijuana for personal use their lowest priority passed with 63 percent of the vote.

Support for Measure F was expected to be just as strong. As a result and given the mail-in nature of the election, there was little campaign activity, according to Lee.

"We put out signs, but outside of that it's been pretty low-key," said Lee, who hosted a victory party at Oaksterdam University's Student Union building in downtown Oakland.

Although California's 800 or so pot clubs also are expected to pay state sales tax, Oakland is the first city in the country to create a special tax on marijuana sales.

Advocates of legalizing pot for recreational use hope to use Oakland's experience with Measure F to persuade California voters next year to approve a measure that would legalize and regulate marijuana like alcohol.
[link to news.yahoo.com]
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Anonymous Coward
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07/22/2009 08:31 AM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
Sweet!
1-2-Follow

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07/22/2009 08:34 AM

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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
Sweet!
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 629667


"Scheduled to take effect on New Year's Day, the measure created a special business tax rate for the pot clubs, which now pay the same $1.20 for every $1,000 in gross sales applied to all retail businesses. The new rate will be $18."

that's sweet??? you can get it pretty much "legally" there now. all they're doing is putting a extra high tobacco-like tax on it. far from sweet my friend.
Articles and "news" from liberal media shall now be known as catnip for libtards.

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Reece2076  (OP)

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07/22/2009 08:38 AM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
I think by next year even the non-smokers would approve of legalizing, regulating, and taxing marijuana just to boost revenue for the state.

The recent budget that was just passed or that is about to be passed is ridiculous. They're releasing 27,000 inmates and will cut 9 billion from education. Not to mention the whole fiasco with the IOUs. Why go through such extremes when their is an income stream just waiting to be tapped?
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Reece2076  (OP)

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07/22/2009 08:44 AM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
Sweet!


"Scheduled to take effect on New Year's Day, the measure created a special business tax rate for the pot clubs, which now pay the same $1.20 for every $1,000 in gross sales applied to all retail businesses. The new rate will be $18."

that's sweet??? you can get it pretty much "legally" there now. all they're doing is putting a extra high tobacco-like tax on it. far from sweet my friend.
 Quoting: 1-2-Follow

It's sweet because California needs the funds. Also this is seen as a step to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. Once there is more competition the prices will come down enough to offset the cost of the taxes. Thus making legal weed cheaper than illegal weed.

Also as long as marijuana is technically illegal you always run the risk of getting arrested or losing your job if you're drug tested. If it were legal I would assume employers would no longer test for marijuana, and treat you like someone who drinks alcohol.
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07/22/2009 08:46 AM

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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
Sweet!


"Scheduled to take effect on New Year's Day, the measure created a special business tax rate for the pot clubs, which now pay the same $1.20 for every $1,000 in gross sales applied to all retail businesses. The new rate will be $18."

that's sweet??? you can get it pretty much "legally" there now. all they're doing is putting a extra high tobacco-like tax on it. far from sweet my friend.

It's sweet because California needs the funds. Also this is seen as a step to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. Once there is more competition the prices will come down enough to offset the cost of the taxes. Thus making legal weed cheaper than illegal weed.

Also as long as marijuana is technically illegal you always run the risk of getting arrested or losing your job if you're drug tested. If it were legal I would assume employers would no longer test for marijuana, and treat you like someone who drinks alcohol.
 Quoting: Reece2076


i agree with all that except for the high tax.
Articles and "news" from liberal media shall now be known as catnip for libtards.

Truth is schilling in the empire of retards.

"Yep but for now we dub you toast guy." - AC520845

*PROCLAIMED PROPHET OF THE DOW* ®

Let me know when the climate STOPS changing, then i'll be worried.
Reece2076  (OP)

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07/22/2009 08:54 AM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
Sweet!


"Scheduled to take effect on New Year's Day, the measure created a special business tax rate for the pot clubs, which now pay the same $1.20 for every $1,000 in gross sales applied to all retail businesses. The new rate will be $18."

that's sweet??? you can get it pretty much "legally" there now. all they're doing is putting a extra high tobacco-like tax on it. far from sweet my friend.

It's sweet because California needs the funds. Also this is seen as a step to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. Once there is more competition the prices will come down enough to offset the cost of the taxes. Thus making legal weed cheaper than illegal weed.

Also as long as marijuana is technically illegal you always run the risk of getting arrested or losing your job if you're drug tested. If it were legal I would assume employers would no longer test for marijuana, and treat you like someone who drinks alcohol.


i agree with all that except for the high tax.
 Quoting: 1-2-Follow

$18 for every $1000 in sales is 1.8% tax. I wouldn't call that high. I would gladly pay a 10% tax if I could get good quality legal bud from a store. I would know that I'm getting the exact quantity I paid for. I wouldn't have to worry about getting robbed, or arrested. The benefits definitely out weigh the only negative, which is the added tax. And like I said before eventually the price for the weed would come down once it's legal. Which is also one of the top reasons why weed should be legal.
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Anonymous Coward
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07/22/2009 09:01 AM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
nice post op
i hope canada follow usa and legalize it!
1-2-Follow

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07/22/2009 09:01 AM

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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
$18 for every $1000 in sales is 1.8% tax. I wouldn't call that high. I would gladly pay a 10% tax if I could get good quality legal bud from a store. I would know that I'm getting the exact quantity I paid for. I wouldn't have to worry about getting robbed, or arrested. The benefits definitely out weigh the only negative, which is the added tax. And like I said before eventually the price for the weed would come down once it's legal. Which is also one of the top reasons why weed should be legal.
 Quoting: Reece2076


pfft, oh ok. i read it wrong. i thought it said they were raising it to 18%. lol sorry. yeah 1.8% isn't bad. that's NOT where it will stay though. it will go the same route as tobacco eventually.
Articles and "news" from liberal media shall now be known as catnip for libtards.

Truth is schilling in the empire of retards.

"Yep but for now we dub you toast guy." - AC520845

*PROCLAIMED PROPHET OF THE DOW* ®

Let me know when the climate STOPS changing, then i'll be worried.
Anonymous Coward
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07/22/2009 09:02 AM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
Sweet!


"Scheduled to take effect on New Year's Day, the measure created a special business tax rate for the pot clubs, which now pay the same $1.20 for every $1,000 in gross sales applied to all retail businesses. The new rate will be $18."

that's sweet??? you can get it pretty much "legally" there now. all they're doing is putting a extra high tobacco-like tax on it. far from sweet my friend.

It's sweet because California needs the funds. Also this is seen as a step to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. Once there is more competition the prices will come down enough to offset the cost of the taxes. Thus making legal weed cheaper than illegal weed.

Also as long as marijuana is technically illegal you always run the risk of getting arrested or losing your job if you're drug tested. If it were legal I would assume employers would no longer test for marijuana, and treat you like someone who drinks alcohol.


i agree with all that except for the high tax.
 Quoting: 1-2-Follow


Come on man ...you calling $18 per 1k high.
Reece2076  (OP)

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07/22/2009 09:33 AM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
$18 for every $1000 in sales is 1.8% tax. I wouldn't call that high. I would gladly pay a 10% tax if I could get good quality legal bud from a store. I would know that I'm getting the exact quantity I paid for. I wouldn't have to worry about getting robbed, or arrested. The benefits definitely out weigh the only negative, which is the added tax. And like I said before eventually the price for the weed would come down once it's legal. Which is also one of the top reasons why weed should be legal.


pfft, oh ok. i read it wrong. i thought it said they were raising it to 18%. lol sorry. yeah 1.8% isn't bad. that's NOT where it will stay though. it will go the same route as tobacco eventually.
 Quoting: 1-2-Follow

Probably. Of course how bad it is all depends on the price of weed in the first place. I think a pack of cigarettes contains about an 1/8 to a 1/4 oz of tabacoo. Including tax you pay $10 or less for a pack of cigarettes. The same amount of illegal marijuana costs $40 to $80 without tax. So if they can reduce the price of weed including tax to $10 - $20 a pack that would be great.
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KindaGamey

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07/22/2009 09:36 AM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
i don't see how this is a step in the right direction? seems more like a penalty?
This post pending review.
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07/22/2009 09:40 AM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
Sweet!


"Scheduled to take effect on New Year's Day, the measure created a special business tax rate for the pot clubs, which now pay the same $1.20 for every $1,000 in gross sales applied to all retail businesses. The new rate will be $18."

that's sweet??? you can get it pretty much "legally" there now. all they're doing is putting a extra high tobacco-like tax on it. far from sweet my friend.

It's sweet because California needs the funds. Also this is seen as a step to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. Once there is more competition the prices will come down enough to offset the cost of the taxes. Thus making legal weed cheaper than illegal weed.

Also as long as marijuana is technically illegal you always run the risk of getting arrested or losing your job if you're drug tested. If it were legal I would assume employers would no longer test for marijuana, and treat you like someone who drinks alcohol.


i agree with all that except for the high tax.
 Quoting: 1-2-Follow

The tax is only on commercial sales. If you have plants and grow your own medicine? No tax on that in California. That's what will keep the taxes in check on cannabis. This is good news.
Anonymous Coward
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07/22/2009 09:42 AM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
$18 for every $1000 in sales is 1.8% tax. I wouldn't call that high. I would gladly pay a 10% tax if I could get good quality legal bud from a store. I would know that I'm getting the exact quantity I paid for. I wouldn't have to worry about getting robbed, or arrested. The benefits definitely out weigh the only negative, which is the added tax. And like I said before eventually the price for the weed would come down once it's legal. Which is also one of the top reasons why weed should be legal.


pfft, oh ok. i read it wrong. i thought it said they were raising it to 18%. lol sorry. yeah 1.8% isn't bad. that's NOT where it will stay though. it will go the same route as tobacco eventually.
 Quoting: 1-2-Follow

unlike tobacco, cannabis is easy to grow anywhere. And if you grow it yourself for medical reasons? No tax. That's why it can't be gouged with tax like tobacco in the end.
Reece2076  (OP)

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07/22/2009 09:46 AM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
i don't see how this is a step in the right direction? seems more like a penalty?
 Quoting: KindaGamey

The shop owners are the ones who proposed the tax. So they would be penalizing themselves.

In reality they see this as a way to make their business seem more legitimate, and give voters another reason to make weed legal for non medical reasons as well. Right now they can only legally sell to someone with a prescription. Just imagine the boost in sales they would get when it's 100% legal. An extra 1.8% tax is a small price to pay to increase their overall revenue.
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AsperGirl
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07/22/2009 09:54 AM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
What this does, Reece, is open the eyes of other municipalities and states who are drowning in failed budgets.

Not only can they stop wasting money on enforcing criminal pot laws but they can tax that stuff!

More and more states will be taking a hard look at CA's pragmatic moves, IMO.
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07/22/2009 09:55 AM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
If this is done I will gladly go to California and grow my own , and sell.
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Reece2076  (OP)

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07/22/2009 10:32 AM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
What this does, Reece, is open the eyes of other municipalities and states who are drowning in failed budgets.

Not only can they stop wasting money on enforcing criminal pot laws but they can tax that stuff!

More and more states will be taking a hard look at CA's pragmatic moves, IMO.
 Quoting: AsperGirl 708515

You're right. After California legalizes other states will follow. Similar to when California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996.
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Reece2076  (OP)

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07/22/2009 11:04 PM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
bump
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07/22/2009 11:09 PM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
Anonymous Coward
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07/22/2009 11:33 PM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
everybody'll keep growing and selling their own.

they ain't gonna register or comply!!! LOLOL!!

WTF U dream this is about?? ha!
Anonymous Coward
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07/22/2009 11:35 PM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
everybody'll keep growing and selling their own.

they ain't gonna register or comply!!! LOLOL!!

WTF U dream this is about?? ha!
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 721764

WTF U think this is?

Thunder Road?
Luftwaffle
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07/22/2009 11:36 PM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
FINALLY SOME POSITIVE NEWS. With all the doom and gloom, it's good to see that this failing economy is creating ONE change for the better! The sooner we get pot legalized, the sooner millions of people will be spared the criminal justice system on account of a common herb.

chorus
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07/23/2009 12:47 AM
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Re: California moves 1 step closer to legalizing Marijuana
Oakland voters pass pot tax to boost city coffers

OAKLAND, Calif. – Oakland residents overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to approve a first-of-its kind tax on medical marijuana sold at the city's four cannabis dispensaries.

Preliminary election results showed the measure passing with 80 percent of the vote, according to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

The dispensary tax was one of four measures in a vote-by-mail special election aimed at raising money for the cash-strapped city. All four measures won, but Measure F had the highest level of support.

Scheduled to take effect on New Year's Day, the measure created a special business tax rate for the pot clubs, which now pay the same $1.20 for every $1,000 in gross sales applied to all retail businesses. The new rate will be $18.

Oakland's auditor estimates that based on annual sales of $17.5 million for the four clubs, it will generate an estimated $294,000 for city coffers in its first year.

Pot club owners, who openly sell pot over the counter under the 1996 state ballot measure that legalized medical marijuana use in California, proposed Measure F as a way to further legitimize their establishments.

"It's good business and good for the community," said Richard Lee, who owns the Coffee Shop SR-71 dispensary and Oaksterdam University, a trade school for budding dispensary workers.

The measure had no formal opposition; in November 2004, a ballot initiative that required Oakland police to make arresting adults using marijuana for personal use their lowest priority passed with 63 percent of the vote.

Support for Measure F was expected to be just as strong. As a result and given the mail-in nature of the election, there was little campaign activity, according to Lee.

"We put out signs, but outside of that it's been pretty low-key," said Lee, who hosted a victory party at Oaksterdam University's Student Union building in downtown Oakland.

Although California's 800 or so pot clubs also are expected to pay state sales tax, Oakland is the first city in the country to create a special tax on marijuana sales.

Advocates of legalizing pot for recreational use hope to use Oakland's experience with Measure F to persuade California voters next year to approve a measure that would legalize and regulate marijuana like alcohol.
[link to news.yahoo.com]
 Quoting: Reece2076



Now if they keep the FEDS nose's out from under the tent for the extortion money paid to the cities/state...cool. deadhorse





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