Legislation is pending in the Senate that seeks to impose new taxes on the production and purchase of medical cannabis.
Senate Bill 987 imposes a special 15 percent statewide tax upon medical marijuana sales. This tax would be in addition to the imposition of existing state and local taxes.
Assembly Bill 2243 imposes a new $ 9.75/ounce tax on the cultivation of medical-only marijuana. At current wholesale prices of ~$ 1,500/lb, this is tantamount to a 10 percent tax on the value of marijuana.
While NORML generally does not oppose the imposition of fair and reasonable sales taxes on the commercial sales of cannabis for recreational purposes, we do not support such excessive taxation on medical sales. Laws enacted by the legislature last year to regulate medical marijuana explicitly did not include additional taxation, and lawmakers should not try to impose such taxes now.
Enter your zip code below to contact your Senate/Assembly members and urge them to oppose this measure.
Additional information on these and other pending efforts is available from California NORML.
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws – Advocacy Campaigns
