Will High Taxes On Marijuana Encourage Black Markets?

[greenbuddha]

Will High Marijuana Taxes Encourage Black Markets? Posted by CN Staff on February 25, 2013 at 06:03:28 PT

By Christopher Matthews

Source: Time

 

USA -- Opponents of marijuana prohibition had one heck of a year in 2012, as voters in both Washington and Colorado passed ballot initiatives legalizing recreational use of the drug. One of the central arguments these folks used in their anti-prohibition campaign was to point out what an excellent revenue source a well-regulated and heavily taxed marijuana industry could be for states. And in a time when the federal and state governments are so hard up for revenue, the tax receipts legal marijuana could bring in, plus reduced strain on law enforcement, could be significant. A 2010 Cato Institute study of the issue estimated that if marijuana prohibition were ended nationwide, it would save state, local, and federal governments $8.7 billion annually in reduced law enforcement costs, and bring in another $8.7 billion in tax revenues.

 

But as it turns out, actually figuring out an appropriate marijuana tax policy is more complicated than it sounds. The cannabis industry is an easy target for legislatures to saddle with heavy taxes. In Washington State for instance, there is a 25% tax at three different stages of cannabis production: from the grower to the processor, from the processor to the retailer, and the retailer to the customer. These taxes are in addition to any other state or local sales taxes that might apply.

 

But that’s not all. The ultimate goal for opponents of marijuana prohibition is federal legalization. But any serious reform of federal marijuana policy will most certainly include a hefty federal excise tax as well in order to 1) help fund regulatory mechanisms; and 2) garner support from lawmakers who would not otherwise be disposed to reform. Oregon Representative Earl Blumenauer, for instance, has introduced marijuana reform legislation that would enact a 50% excise tax on production.

 

Proponents of legalization understand that healthy sales taxes are a great tool for furthering their cause. At a certain point, however, high taxes will encourage an illicit market. Where is the line? It’s difficult to know for sure, but if a 50% tax were enacted on the federal level, the marijuana industry in a state like Washington would face at least $1.92 in tax for every $1 of product sold. Whether this level of taxation is enough to encourage a black market is difficult to say.

 

The black market generally imposes its own costs — purveyors can charge a premium because of the risks they incur. But the regulatory burden for legal marijuana cultivation is high as well. In Colorado, for instance, where medical marijuana has been legal for more than a decade, growers are required to keep their operations under 24-7 video surveillance, procure criminal background checks for workers, and keep regulators alerted each and every time they move product. These are just a few of the regulations that can help to drive up the price of legal cannabis cultivation and encourage illicit markets to develop.

 

Another vexing tax problem facing Washington state lawmakers particularly is whether or not medical marijuana should be taxed at the same rates as pot consumed recreationally. As it stands, medical marijuana — just like other medications — is not taxed in Washington State. But lawmakers are concerned that having the same product be taxed in some instances while not taxed in others will create a black market whereby medical marijuana is sold illicitly to recreational consumers. One possible way to avoid this problem would be to tax all marijuana products the same, and then allow patients with a prescription to file for a refund.

 

For opponents of prohibition, taxes are the one of the best tools to convince citizens and governments of the benefits of a well-regulated marijuana industry. But the marijuana industry in America — in all its various stages of legality — is large and well-developed. Some even estimate it to be the single largest cash crop in the country. Given that fact, one can’t expect the black market to dissapear overnight if taxes and regulations make legal marijuana prohibitively expensive. And as legislators continue the process of setting up a tax and regulatory structure for this budding industry, it’s a reality they had better take into account.

 

Source: Time Magazine (US)

Author: Christopher Matthews

Published: February 25, 2013

Copyright: 2013 Time Inc.

Contact: letters@time.com

Website: http://www.time.com/time/

URL: http://drugsense.org/url/oX8WXGkt

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[SFC]

I have been saying that for awhile. An overzealous approach to taxation will only force it back underground.

[cristinew]

yes the Mexicans in Tucson can get it to you for 50 a oz tax free,

[GregS]

Lessee. A commodity that can be produced at a much lower cost than the gov't can deliver it for. What's the worry?

[Kingdiamond]

Of course it will there will be those who refuse to be taxed to death for their smoke just like smuggling cigarettes from other states .

[Restorium2]

The only saving grace would be if it's still affordable after taxes. If it's cheap and good it will fly. We have these examples to look at and see if there's any hope for that. I'm thinking that growing might be a little more work than people, other then the Mexican growers, want to do on the cheap. I think the average Mexican grower gets a lot less than anyone is willing to work for in America.

[phaquetoo]

There will always be an under ground market for something being taxed, I love moon shine, I dont pay taxes on it and neither does the maker, but we both stand a chance of going to jail for the sales!

 

If the out right legalized it in every state, and even for hemp, it would be the biggest cash crop in this country, I still think it is the same as what it was before we got mm legal here, the gov dont know how to stop people from growing it them selves, and alot of money is going to go right around uncle sams out stretched arm/hand, I mean come on, I know alot of people that make their own beer, they just cant sell it w/o a liscense from the state, and most I know dont have that and dont sell it, but they give there friends it when we go to their house to play poker or watch a football game, or what ever,

 

Bottom line it comes down to $$$$, I dont see how it can hurt the government to use hemp for paper, and everything you can make from trees, ropes, canvass, clothing, im sure the products that can be made are endless! we just have a government who loves to give our money to other countrys while we go broke and borrow from china, I heard china is not doing to well, what is gonnna happen when they want their payback? we need to up the tariffs on their products coming to our country and tax the heck out of them, than our jobs will come back and we can at least give our own mony away and not borrow from another country to give to another and another and another!

 

Peace

Jim