Oakland, California, passes landmark marijuana tax

[kpete]

Source: CNN

Oakland, California, passes landmark marijuana tax

July 22, 2009 -- Updated 0620 GMT (1420 HKT)

OAKLAND, California (CNN) -- Oakland's bid to become the first U.S. city to tax proceeds on medical marijuana passed Tuesday by a landslide vote.

About 80 percent of voters chose to impose the tax on Oakland's medical marijuana facilities, according to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

Some celebrated the news at Oaksterdam University by hand-rolling large marijuana cigarettes or stuffing cannabis into pipes. The school trains students for work in the medical marijuana industry.

"It is important because the city of Oakland is facing a massive deficit like many jurisdictions in California," said Steve DeAngelo, a leader of one of the city's cannabis clubs. "And we decided to step up to the plate and make a contribution to the city in a time of need."


Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/22/california.pot.tax/

[xchrom]

1. ...

:applause:

[endarkenment]

2. The marijuana tax stamp used to be what they busted you for

back in the day, back before we got all FDA scheduled up as the fed decided it didn't need no stinking prohibition amendment to rule on what herbs you could ingest.

Plus ca change...

[wryter2000]

3. That's my hometown

We're unique, for sure.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. More than that, Oakland leads the way

You guys are the vanguard.

[downindixie]

5. This is crazy

Yes,tax the hell out of the sick and poor!

[Bluenorthwest]

6. The people who use the medical marijuana program supported this

tax by a large margin.

[wryter2000]

10. Yup

There have been ads statewide, "Please, tax me," and they mean it.

[Zhade]

20. I support it!

NT!

[Demobrat]

7. I'd rather have a portion of what I pay for pot go to the govt

than go to jail. You?

[Flaneur]

8. This measure taxes the dispensaries, not the patients.

And the dispensaries ASKED for it because they want to be good corporate citizens and because they see taxation as building their legitimacy. And because lawmakers are unlikely to move to dry up a revenue stream.

Go, Oaksterdam!

[wryter2000]

9. Oaksterdam

I just got it. :rofl: I always think of us as Oaktown.

[Demobrat]

12. I walk by Oaksterdam U every day.

It's next to the 19th street BART station I use to get to work. Before they moved in the corner was a big drug dealer hangout. The guys would stand on the corner, cars would pull up and they'd do their thing through the window. I saw it all the time. Now the corner is quiet and nobody gives me the stink-eye when I walk by. Nor do I worry about being in the wrong place at the wrong time when the turf wars break out. Legalization could be the best thing that ever happened to Oakland. I sure hope so.

[wryter2000]

14. Right. That place

I didn't know what it was called. :hi:

[Abq_Sarah]

18. Of course it taxes the patients

Taxes are rolled into operating costs, not paid out of the goodness of anyone's heart.

[Zhade]

21. Most clinics already add taxes anyway. We're used to it.

Legalization will lower the price as more people get into the business. This is a great step.

[Flaneur]

22. I doubt this is going to increase prices.

I'll be able to verify that personally. Heh.

[POR]

11. 'Bout Time

I love my city!!!

The die is cast. Step up rest of California. Fiscal salvation hangs in the balance.

Just for information purposes. I support legalization of Marijuana, despite the fact I do not partake. It just makes sense.

[damntexdem]

13. Just wait -- the rightwing will take pot shots at this tax.

Will they demand a joint session of the Assembly to stop it?

[XemaSab]

15. They're going to be sent packing if they do that

The cities and counties won't want to pass up that fat bowl of change.

[sarcasmo]

16. Kick for common sense. If our Government had enough common sense it would be legal and taxed.

[olddad56]

17. I think this is bullshit...

decriminalize it and tax it for recreational use, but not for medicinal use. They don't tax prescription medication.

[Peace Patriot]

19. "About 80 percent of the voters...". Wow! nt