House voting to federally decriminalize marijuana

www.tmj4.com... whmWpGaHEITifFC_UMiUDejjN_ZGoIAfVGs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a historic bill on Friday that would federally decriminalize marijuana.

The MORE Act, officially called H.R.3884, would make several other changes as well.
The bill would establish a trust fund to support various programs and services for individuals and businesses in communities impacted by the war on drugs. A 5% tax on cannabis products would be imposed and require revenues to be deposited into that trust fund.

What do you think, about time, or slippery slope?
I know many friends with chronic pain that are waiting for this.

15 states already legalized it and seem to be doing OK. I don't live in one of those states so if you do,
what do you think? Was it a benefit to your state?

a reply to: JAGStorm

The 5% tax thing is utter horse#.

a reply to: JAGStorm

This link has a good map with different status throughout the US, medical, recreational etc...
www.yahoo.com...

It’s about freakin’ time.
Sadly, even if the House passes it, the Senate won’t take it up. Bock-buck-buck.

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan
That isn't for just growing it yourself, is it?

Because everyone should be able to have their own growing if they choose.

We don't get any kind of tax for growing our own here in MI.

I think it is a GREAT idea, and yes, about dang time!

a reply to: JAGStorm

This happened on Wednesday too...

UN commission reclassifies cannabis, no longer considered risky narcotic.

It should be permitted the world over, plastics, fabrics, rope, medicines, it is a wonder plant!

a reply to: djz3ro

Absolutely, not a smoker personally, but I have seen that its use is far better than almost every pharmaceutical out there for almost everything....

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
a reply to: JAGStorm

The 5% tax thing is utter horse#.

Really?
This topic has never been about anything but taxes.
All those states that legalized weed have taxed the crap out of it.

a reply to: JAGStorm

I think it’s about time to they do this, it should be on par with alcohol IMO.
I am not big into it but I do indulge occasionally.
A lot of cities around me here in Michigan opted out of it and will not allow any dispensary’s to open up.

a reply to: JAGStorm

It’ll be shoved in a drawer by Mitch McConnell and not voted on because it came from a Democrat led House. The same as everything else.

Regardless of how much something helps America or people, this is it’s fate.

Classic move on Dems part. Wait until they think it will benefit them... Anyone looked up the bill or the sponsers yet?

Sure, they tax it. Why not? A new, large demand industry with a 5% tax can help reduce the severity of many of our current issues. And 5% is hardly “tax the crap out of”. I expect there will also be state and local taxes added. But, store prices in Cali and Vegas are not out of touch with street prices, far as I know. It’s fine.

a reply to: pexx421

If i can buy it illegally for cheaper, thats what I would do.

Tax schemes do nothing but drive up cost, and keep the black market functioning as before.

a reply to: Bluntone22

Taxing the labor of distribution doesn't bother me at all.

Taxing the item itself, or limiting the ability to grow your own to force you into taxable purchases...that is the issue.

a reply to: pexx421

I’ve worked in the legal cannabis industry all over the map and I always get a laugh when people complain about it being taxed. The cannabis industry is the only industry I’ve seen where the tax burden isn’t passed along to the consumers. It’s absorbed by the producers.

For a simple reason. If the cannabis they produce is priced too much higher than black market prices, no one will buy it. They’ll just continue buying off the black market. I’ve seen stuff in Seattle (arguably the most expensive legal market) go for $70 an oz. Not to mention the store wide sales and coupons/online deals that most stores constantly have.

Love the idea of rescheduling and decriminalization.

Hate the idea of establishing a new trust slush fund to be used and abused by congress critters.

As someone mentioned above, since it's a D bill, the R's will sit on it, because...politics.

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
a reply to: Bluntone22

Taxing the labor of distribution doesn't bother me at all.

Taxing the item itself, or limiting the ability to grow your own to force you into taxable purchases...that is the issue.

Indeed, IMHO, Oregon was wise to allow individuals to grow up to a particular number of plants for personal use.

ETA: If I can brew my own beer, I should be able to grow my own weed too.

originally posted by: underwerks
a reply to: pexx421

I’ve worked in the legal cannabis industry all over the map and I always get a laugh when people complain about it being taxed. The cannabis industry is the only industry I’ve seen where the tax burden isn’t passed along to the consumers. It’s absorbed by the producers.

For a simple reason. If the cannabis they produce is priced too much higher than black market prices, no one will buy it. They’ll just continue buying off the black market. I’ve seen stuff in Seattle (arguably the most expensive legal market) go for $70 an oz. Not to mention the store wide sales and coupons/online deals that most stores constantly have.

I operate bars in Texas under a Mixed Beverage Permit. This means I have 2 different taxes to pay:

6.7% mixed beverage tax
8.25% beverage sales tax

The 8.25 is passed on to the consumer. The 6.7% is paid by us, and cannot be shown on the reciept (its vendor facing). Which only means that my price point is increased by the 6.7% that I am taxed.

If you think consumers don't see taxes....you just don't understand simple math.

originally posted by: Bluntone22

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
a reply to: JAGStorm

The 5% tax thing is utter horse#.

Really?
This topic has never been about anything but taxes.
All those states that legalized weed have taxed the crap out of it.

He might be referring to the 5% tax going in a "trust fund" But yea commercially tax it like alcohol and you can grow your own, the caveat is you likely can't grow and sell.

Just buy it off an independent seller, like its been done since the 1970's. More product for the $$$.