Californianns shocked at the taxes on their marijuana

[dm1333]

 

http://www.thecannifornian.com/cannabis-business/high-taxes-spark-sticker-shock-cannabis-customers-california/

Many shoppers have been surprised by the tax rates that have taken effect since Jan. 1, when recreational cannabis sales became legal. Some of the receipts shared online include bright red circles around the tax line and are posted with hashtags like “#californiaisscrewingus” and “ididntvoteforit.”

All cannabis legally sold in California now comes with a 15 percent excise tax. On its own, that rate is in line with, or below, the tax imposed in most other states that have legalized recreational cannabis.
But in California, that excise tax is just part of the tax bill. Most California cities that allow marijuana stores have tacked on local taxes, typically 5 to 10 percent. In a few cities, the local rate is as high as 15 percent.  That’stax, whi

in addition to the regular sales ch typically runs between 8 and 10 percent

.
Bottom line: Medical marijuana consumers are generally paying at least 20 percent tax on every purchase, and recreational consumers are paying between a low of 28 percent and as much as 40 percent.

Can't say I'm shocked or surprised.  Did politicians hide what they were going to do as far as taxes or were people not paying attention?

[K Frame]

They were too stoned to notice.

[freakazoid]

How much are cigarettes/tobacco taxed?

[BlueStarLizzard]

How much are cigarettes/tobacco taxed?

It's $2.87 a pack in California (I was just looking that up) plus the $1.01 federal tax.

[just Warren]

Well it's a good thing that there's no black market for drugs where people can buy what they want without paying taxes!

[MechAg94]

My first thought reading the headline was maybe we need to legalize this on the federal level so the cigarette companies can start selling marijuana packs.  Then they can see some real taxes.

Of course, then the anti-smoking commercials can branch into a whole new area. 

[Ben]

Of course, then the anti-smoking commercials can branch into a whole new area. 

What I'm sitting back with popcorn and waiting for, is the anti-smoking brigade to attack pot smokers for second hand smoke. So much of CA is smoke free, even in outside areas, and many of the people that were all for that with cigarettes are, I'm betting, pot smokers. I can't wait to hear the arguments on why pot smoke is okay.

[dm1333]

What I'm sitting back with popcorn and waiting for, is the anti-smoking brigade to attack pot smokers for second hand smoke. So much of CA is smoke free, even in outside areas, and many of the people that were all for that with cigarettes are, I'm betting, pot smokers. I can't wait to hear the arguments on why pot smoke is okay.

Cuz it's herb maan, it's organic!

[HankB]

And what's to stop pot heads from growing their own weed? Isn't marijuana easier to grow than tobacco?

A handful of plants ought to keep a pot head stoned, so he wouldn't need a BIG plot . . .

[Scout26]

And what's to stop pot heads from growing their own weed? Isn't marijuana easier to grow than tobacco?

A handful of plants ought to keep a pot head stoned, so he wouldn't need a BIG plot . . .

Because CA can't tax them.   

[just Warren]

Meanwhile in D.C.

[Hawkmoon]

Cuz it's herb maan, it's organic!

And tobacco isn't organic?

[Hawkmoon]

Meanwhile in D.C.

That doesn't make sense. Washington, DC, exists as a federal enclave. How can there be a DC law that isn't a federal law? And, if there is such a thing, how can the federal government allow a law in a federal enclave that's contrary to federal law?

[230RN]

What I'm sitting back with popcorn and waiting for, is the anti-smoking brigade to attack pot smokers for second hand smoke. So much of CA is smoke free, even in outside areas, and many of the people that were all for that with cigarettes are, I'm betting, pot smokers. I can't wait to hear the arguments on why pot smoke is okay.

Funny / Not Funny

Terry flips coin

Colorado, for general information, 2017:

http://www.westword.com/marijuana/colorado-marijuana-sales-already-top-1-billion-in-2017-9587976

Terry

[Fly320s]

And tobacco isn't organic?

Nope.  Lots of pesticides and additives,

[dm1333]

And tobacco isn't organic?

Tobacco is evil, don't you know that? 

All joking aside, if any of that "legal" pot came from a diesel grow it did a lot of damage to the environment.  But too many people gloss over that.

[230RN]

What's a "diesel grow?"

Well, looked it up, I guess it's a strain:

https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/blog-sour-diesel-feminized-cannabis-strain-n41

[dm1333]

What's a "diesel grow?"

Well, looked it up, I guess it's a strain:

https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/blog-sour-diesel-feminized-cannabis-strain-n41

Diesel grows are grows (indoors or outdoors) where most of the electrical power needed comes from generators. The end result is spilled fuel, pesticides, contaminated water and the destruction of the environment.  My personal view is that a lot of strains of pot that are named "diesel" are relatively new and the name was picked to obscure internet searches of diesel grows and how bad they are for the environment.  Most of them have to be cleaned up by hazmat pros.

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/the-good-bad-and-ugly-of-indoor-pot-in-california/

Hippies once complained that loggers kept profits while foisting environmental costs on the public. Indoor-marijuana growers have done much the same thing on a smaller scale.
Humboldt County environmental officials report finding tubs of used antifreeze, leaking fuel lines, pesticide containers and nutrient-laden potting soil that runs into streams during rains, feeding algae blooms that suffocate fish.

In May 2008, as much as 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into a creek that feeds the Eel River.
“In the last three years, I’ve seen more diesel spills than I have in my previous 28 years” in law enforcement, Mendocino County Sheriff Thomas Allman said.

ETA:

https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/03/marijuana-weed-pot-farming-environmental-impacts/

[Firethorn]

And tobacco isn't organic?

Not with what the cigarette companies do to them.

I'm sure you can buy organic tobacco.

And what's to stop pot heads from growing their own weed? Isn't marijuana easier to grow than tobacco?

It's "easy", but not everybody has the room(what if you're living in a studio apartment?), or even the minimal greenthumb required.

On diesel grows - indoor grows using diesel generators, I think I should point out that such is done to grow illegal weed.  If growing weed is legal, then they don't need to hide, and can use economical and ecological methods - hooking up to and using the grid without fear, actual greenhouses that admit sunlight, even outdoor operations.  Though outdoors has the problem that the best bud is unfertilized, and growing outdoors is a good way to have your buds get fertilized by pollen in the wind.

So the best way to stop diesel grows is to legalize.

[mtnbkr]

I'm sure you can buy organic tobacco.

You can.  There's a hobbyist market in "home grown" tobacco for pipe and cigar use.  A friend of mine buys it to roll his own cigars and make his own pipe tobacco blends.

Chris

[Jamisjockey]

My brother grows his own and I've had a good look at several different operations he's had.  If you're growing indoors there's a number of pitfalls.
Room to grow, equipment, noise and smell.  His current setup is an indoor hydroponic tent.  Perfect temperature and humidity control.  Requires pumps that flush water into the grow on a timer, and fans that blow out excess humidity.  You can literally smell that skunky aroma when you open his front door. Anything but a small grow eats a ton of electricity.  Indoor growing is the best for quality control.
Outdoor grows can be done anywhere there's fertile land, but is harder to control.

[MillCreek]

I have not looked into it, but ever since Washington legalized marijuana, first for medical and then recreational use, it is either illegal or severely restricted to grow your own.  The state wants to be able to tax it and they do that through the retail channel.

[Jamisjockey]

I have not looked into it, but ever since Washington legalized marijuana, first for medical and then recreational use, it is either illegal or severely restricted to grow your own.  The state wants to be able to tax it and they do that through the retail channel.

IIRC Colorado only requires that you grow below a certain number of plants if you're growing.

[230RN]

Thanks, dm1333, for that explanation of "diesel grow."  I was halfway thinking of that, but didn't know how to put it into words.

[dm1333]

Thanks, dm1333, for that explanation of "diesel grow."  I was halfway thinking of that, but didn't know how to put it into words.

NP!  It probably sounds like a have a serious hate for marijuana but I really don't.  I do despise the hypocrisy of CA's medical MJ program and the growers who try to paint themselves as innocent back to the land types.  I also hate the whole "it's only pot, it isn't harmful" attitude of so many people.