Colorado’s Cannabis Tax Goes Towards Public Funding

$9.7 Million in Colorado cannabis-related tax revenue will go directly towards improving public education and counseling in the state. Colorado divides its cannabis tax revenue between drug abuse education, drug abuse counseling and public schools. The number is roughly twice what they were able to generate for schools and educational programs last year.

TIME reported that Colorado collected $9.7 million in taxes from cannabis businesses in June of 2015 alone. The data comes from a highly detailed report issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue.

Gov. John Hickenlooper told USA Today, “The people who were smoking marijuana before legalization still are. Now, they’re paying taxes.”