End of drug war 1 step closer to reality
By Bruce Margolin
It was only earlier this year that San Francisco Assemblyman Tom Ammiano introduced a bill to legalize and tax marijuana as a means to solve the fiscal distress that has plagued the state of California of late. This bill not only offered that it could profit the state several of billions of dollars, but is one step closer to ending the needless war on drugs and saving several non-violent offenders from being held in custody.
It has now been 13 years since Proposition 215 was passed. In these years the medical-marijuana community has grown significantly, partially due to the reduction in fear having state law on one’s side brings, and by the increase in awareness, understanding and education of things marijuana. Ammiano’s bill in particular, while still on hold as he continues to build support for it, is perhaps the beginning of a new movement in the progress for legalizing marijuana.
Politicians now seem more open and interested in discussing the issues surrounding medical marijuana. Case in point: Councilwoman Janice Hahn.
While the Los Angeles City Council began the voting process to shut down rogue medical-marijuana dispensaries, medical marijuana advocates and patients alike came before the council with an interesting message: Instead of banning our businesses, why not tax them? It was Councilwoman Janice Hahn who heard their request and decided to take action by proposing the taxing of medical-marijuana dispensaries in California.
“They have suggested it, so I just decided ‘let’s do it,’” Hahn said, adding: “We should be able to benefit from the sales and the revenues.”
It has been said Hahn’s proposal could potentially raise tens of millions of dollars, offering the long-suffering financial state some hope, seeing as medical-marijuana dispensaries are one of the most profitable businesses in the state. Oakland has already voted in a special sales tax on medical marijuana, and with many groups of strong supporters and currently no vocal oppositions, the future for this new bill looks promising.
Although it is unknown at the moment just how much revenue the business of medical marijuana could bring to the state annually, there is no doubt there would be financial benefit. Some data has indicated that we could see close to, if not more than, $1 billion raised. Robert Ingenito, the chief of the research section at the State Board of Equalization, found estimates to vary due to the fact marijuana is “an underground business at the moment, there isn’t hard data.” For many people however, numbers are irrelevant: They see any profit it could bring to California as something positive.
With all of these years since the initial passing of Proposition 215 and currently the dire need for revenue in California, I think we can all agree that these bills and proposals on the horizon can only strengthen our cause. By continuing to spread the word, knowledge of taxing and regulating medical marijuana could help pass the bills and initiatives that can provide a cure for California’s slumping economy and bring a much-awaited sigh of relief to medical marijuana patients.
