Portland to Use Cannabis Taxes to Expunge Prior Convictions

In a bold and commendable move, Portland is proposing to use their revenue from legal cannabis taxes to support drug treatment programs and expunge convictions from when cannabis was illegal.

According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, Oregon has decided to drop the state cannabis tax to 17 percent starting in 2017. Cities will have the option to add their own additional three percent in taxes if they choose to. If Portland decides to allow this tax, Commissioner Amanda Fritz has a proposal that will put local tax to good use.

“For instance, helping with expunging people’s records who were convicted of cannabis-related crimes that wouldn’t be a crime now,” she explained regarding what she plans to do with the tax.

According to Fritz, the additional three percent tax could yield up to $3 million a year, an amount that could certainly help with locals who have prior convictions, and with drug treatment. She felt compelled to put money towards helping expunge convictions based on conversations with cannabis industry lobbyists.

In addition to expunging prior convictions, if Frtiz’s proposal passes, some of the tax money will go towards small businesses, especially those owned by women and minorities, local management training, and to help communities who are disadvantaged and may have been negatively affected by prohibition. The rest of the money will go towards public safety initiatives to reduce drug abuse, such as firefighter and paramedic training, DUI training for police and organizations that help with drug and alcohol treatment and education.

This tax allocation would surely be a boon for the community, and while some Portland residents may not like paying 20 percent total in sales tax, the breakdown of the community refund could help support their local businesses and friends or family who need help with drug and alcohol abuse.