Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Massachusetts Treasurer Deb Goldberg is criticizing the proposed tax rate for legal marijuana if Bay State voters approve the substance for recreational use by adults.
If it passes, Question 4 would set up a Cannabis Control Commission under the treasurer's office. Proponents of the measure say they propose the treasurer oversee the commission because her office is also in charge of alcohol regulators.
The question calls for a 3.75 percent excise tax on retail marijuana sales, a number Goldberg called "quite low" in a Wednesday morning speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.
The excise tax in Colorado is 29 percent, while Washington's rate is 37 percent. The other two states where recreational marijuana is legal, Oregon and Alaska, have a 25 percent rate.
"Even if you roll in our 6.25 percent sales tax and a potential 2 percent local option tax - on top of the 3.75 excise tax proposed - Massachusetts would pale in comparison to other states. There's something wrong with this revenue picture," Goldberg said, according to remarks prepared for delivery.
Supporters of the question say the proposed rate is low in order to drive consumers to legal pot shops instead of the black market.
Goldberg reiterated that her office isn't waiting for voters to go to the polls and decide whether the Bay State should legalize marijuana for recreational use.
Goldberg, a Democrat who opposes legalization, has previously said she would like to push back the start of retail sales. Under the initiative, retail sales are slated to start in January 2018.
"There are zero appropriations tied to this proposal, so we will be tasked with overseeing a new industry without any funding, until the first retail applications are submitted in October 2017," Goldberg said on Wednesday. "That gives us three months to review applications, conduct background checks, and approve retailers to get sales underway."
If the Cannabis Control Commission doesn't issue a denial notice within 90 days of a potential retailer applying, the commission has to issue the license, Goldberg continued. The statement drew murmurs of surprise from the crowd of businesspeople gathered at the Omni Parker House Hotel.
"So, visualize this - a new start up without funding, that has public safety and public health concerns, has the time pressure to get it done quickly or the licensee is automatically approved," she said.
Her office plans to work with the governor and state lawmakers to "mitigate" that and other issues if marijuana is legalized, she said.
Marijuana-infused edibles or snacks have surfaced in the debate over legalization in Massachusetts.
Goldberg said edibles are "on our radar." Colorado has changed its regulations on edibles since marijuana legalization, moving away from packaging them like standard snack products, she said, while praising Washington state as making the right moves in restricting packaging and colors.
"We will need to regulate the recipe, the packaging, the serving size, and the THC consistency to uphold public health and consumer safety," she said.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Treasurer Deb Goldberg Says Proposed Tax Rate For Legal Marijuana In Massachusetts Is Too Low
Author: Gintautas Dumcius
Contact: MassLive
Photo Credit: Jim Kinney
Website: MassLive
If it passes, Question 4 would set up a Cannabis Control Commission under the treasurer's office. Proponents of the measure say they propose the treasurer oversee the commission because her office is also in charge of alcohol regulators.
The question calls for a 3.75 percent excise tax on retail marijuana sales, a number Goldberg called "quite low" in a Wednesday morning speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.
The excise tax in Colorado is 29 percent, while Washington's rate is 37 percent. The other two states where recreational marijuana is legal, Oregon and Alaska, have a 25 percent rate.
"Even if you roll in our 6.25 percent sales tax and a potential 2 percent local option tax - on top of the 3.75 excise tax proposed - Massachusetts would pale in comparison to other states. There's something wrong with this revenue picture," Goldberg said, according to remarks prepared for delivery.
Supporters of the question say the proposed rate is low in order to drive consumers to legal pot shops instead of the black market.
Goldberg reiterated that her office isn't waiting for voters to go to the polls and decide whether the Bay State should legalize marijuana for recreational use.
Goldberg, a Democrat who opposes legalization, has previously said she would like to push back the start of retail sales. Under the initiative, retail sales are slated to start in January 2018.
"There are zero appropriations tied to this proposal, so we will be tasked with overseeing a new industry without any funding, until the first retail applications are submitted in October 2017," Goldberg said on Wednesday. "That gives us three months to review applications, conduct background checks, and approve retailers to get sales underway."
If the Cannabis Control Commission doesn't issue a denial notice within 90 days of a potential retailer applying, the commission has to issue the license, Goldberg continued. The statement drew murmurs of surprise from the crowd of businesspeople gathered at the Omni Parker House Hotel.
"So, visualize this - a new start up without funding, that has public safety and public health concerns, has the time pressure to get it done quickly or the licensee is automatically approved," she said.
Her office plans to work with the governor and state lawmakers to "mitigate" that and other issues if marijuana is legalized, she said.
Marijuana-infused edibles or snacks have surfaced in the debate over legalization in Massachusetts.
Goldberg said edibles are "on our radar." Colorado has changed its regulations on edibles since marijuana legalization, moving away from packaging them like standard snack products, she said, while praising Washington state as making the right moves in restricting packaging and colors.
"We will need to regulate the recipe, the packaging, the serving size, and the THC consistency to uphold public health and consumer safety," she said.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Treasurer Deb Goldberg Says Proposed Tax Rate For Legal Marijuana In Massachusetts Is Too Low
Author: Gintautas Dumcius
Contact: MassLive
Photo Credit: Jim Kinney
Website: MassLive
