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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNot As Many People Buying Recreational Pot As Predicted
Sales tax revenue on recreational marijuana in Colorado is down compared to early projections.
Total tax revenue on recreational pot is 13 percent below state estimates which means Colorado is bringing in nearly a half a million dollars less.
Were not seeing number of individuals using recreational marijuana that everybody originally thought we would. So because of that its very difficult to budget as to how do we spend dollars we dont know whether we will or wont, said Rep. Geri Gerou.
Not only are sales lower than projected but so are the number of business approved to sell it.
The state expected to approve 110 businesses in the first month but only 59 were approved as of Feb. 1.
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/04/08/not-as-many-people-buying-recreational-pot-as-predicted/
warrior1
(12,325 posts)Warpy
(110,908 posts)and will buy the stuff for parties and other celebrations but not for everyday use. Apparently the drug worriers all thought the whole state would toke up and wander through life in a haze of pot smoke and apathy.
While some people would like to, if they've got the job, the kids, and all the constant work that comes with both, they're not going to want to be stoned all that much.
Those 110 outlets will eventually be approved but not as pot-only stores. They'd go under.
otohara
(24,135 posts)the smoking habits of Colorado citizens... which BTW has been going on for decades. I offer this as a Colorado native and long time smoker of the weed about this article and it's findings.
A. The product is so good it DOESN'T TAKE MUCH to get high. For light smokers, one or two hits is all you need. A couple grams can last a month.
B. We daily tokers are not walking around in a stooper of pot smoke and apathy. If that were true, Boulder wouldn't be the awesome city it is and yesterday it was announced Boulder is now the thinnest city in the country. If any city in Colorado smokes a lot of weed, it's always been Boulder.
C. Many cities and counties who opted out of recreational pot sales are reexamining it for the extra tax revenues. Plus they have noticed Denver/Boulder isn't suffering from the wrath of crime many predicted. More stores will open in Colorado.
SomethingFishy
(4,876 posts)Why buy at the store for $130 a quarter when I can get it from my guy for $75?
The store has been a blessing for edibles but for smokables I still go see my guy, as it is way cheaper.
Considering that the stores have been open all of three months, and the rollout was basically flawless all this wonking and hand wringing is for naught. The money is rolling in, the arrests have stopped and there is no stopping full legalization, it's coming... fast.
Logical
(22,457 posts)Arkana
(24,347 posts)Really, you try it once for the thrill of doing something formerly illegal and then what have you got? You have a smelly weed that wrecks your diet.
Arkana
(24,347 posts)Glassunion
(10,201 posts)Callmecrazy
(3,065 posts)Never thought of that. Good on you.
Journeyman
(15,001 posts)And are people simply continuing to buy from their original, unlicensed suppliers, because it's cheaper? And maybe more potent?
I don't know. Just wondering at a possible alternate scenario to "less are using it than originally projected."
EX500rider
(10,531 posts)Journeyman
(15,001 posts)I've known too many people who grew their own premium grade product. Now that it's legal in Colorado, what's to keep the same people who used to supply it illegally from continuing to supply it today. Especially if they could make good money while providing a product at less cost than their State-approved competition? I suspect there's certain criminal or tax penalties for trafficking that would apply, but for those who took the risk when it was illegal to possess what deterrent would a tax evasion charge hold?
Yeah. I never saw this as the revenue panacea that so many presented it as "if we just made it legal and taxed it."
KatyMan
(4,147 posts)for legal weed down here in Texas. I guess I'm not young enough to 'know a guy', so it's always hit and miss. If I could just go to the store and get it, I'd pay whatever..
fizzgig
(24,146 posts)we're also low on funds. but the first one in town is supposed to open next week, so i'll free up a little bit of cash on pay day just to check out the edibles.
i've had medical grade before and it wasn't as good as what i get from my dude, i expect it to be the same with the recreational shops.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)And those who do vary widely in how much they like and whether they want to get high at all, like medicinal users.
Since it was legal for most of human history and was little noticed until we outlawed it, this is no surprise.
librechik
(30,663 posts)Not only that, but on the same news outlet a few days ago, they said revenue was twice what was expected, and they don't know what to do with the surplus--they might have to lower mj taxes!
so take news reports like this with the respect they deserve.
fredamae
(4,458 posts)one of the arguments used Against legalization was: "OMG! Now Everybody's gonna start smokin' pot" But
(gasp) Drug Laws Don't Actually deter Drug Use--it seems more than 99.% say they would not start using any drug if it were legalized.
These results are not surprising. They over estimated their fiscal forecast based upon the belief that those folks who previously didn't consume cannabis would start post-legalization...They seem ignorant of human behavior.
Duer 157099
(17,742 posts)I still wouldn't smoke it. Just simply don't like it. I'm sure others feel the same way.
msongs
(67,193 posts)Logical
(22,457 posts)FrodosPet
(5,169 posts)Not very many people can grow gourmet.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)seveneyes
(4,631 posts)No other aspect really matters as long as the long arm of the law can not harasses you for having it.
dionysus
(26,467 posts)jmowreader
(50,451 posts)Companies that drug test, almost without exception, use the "SAMSHA-5" test - marijuana, cocaine, PCP, opiates and amphetamines. If you work at any of the national retail chains, in a "safety sensitive" position (the list of which is very long and can be added to at the discretion of the employer) or in a company that has a drug testing program because having one lowers your workers' comp premiums, You Can't Smoke Weed. People have been fired for using medicinal marijuana; someone who worked at Walmart and used recreational marijuana would probably be fired over the store's public address system and then trespassed off the property.
I wonder how many people would use pot if the fear of getting fired wasn't there...consider: Jane is an honest person. She works at Lowe's in the Electrical department. On Friday, April 4, she goes to a party after work and smokes a blunt. She's off until Monday, April 7, so there's no danger she'll work while high. On Thursday, April 10, she's on a six-step ladder getting a ceiling fan for a customer when another customer accidentally runs into the ladder with a cart full of landscape block and Jane falls off, dislocating her shoulder. She is required to take a drug test post-incident, fails and is fired.
Wounded Bear
(58,440 posts)KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)then sales, per store, are way above the estimate.
Even if they are $500,000 short on tax revenue, the $6.5 mil they DID get is $6.5 mil they didn't get in prior years.
TroglodyteScholar
(5,477 posts)Not enough people are buying the legal weed! Legalization is a disaster!
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Never bought any in my entire life...
FrodosPet
(5,169 posts)Some people got it, some people don't.
So what ways do you repay your friends for their generosity? Do you ever by drinks or food for them? Maybe give them a place to sleep. Perhaps a few bucks for a bus or cab now and then? Hey, can I grab something at the store for you?
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)and I've always given a lot more than I accept in return...
Don't start acting like you fuckin' know me all of a sudden...Let's not go down that street, if you please...
FrodosPet
(5,169 posts)Some people in this world want to take and take (especially from people who have little to begin with), but never give back. It gets old.
If I touched a nerve, I apologize.
bravenak
(34,648 posts)Just like if they legalized heroin. I would avoid the opiate depot at all costs.
Upton
(9,709 posts)I mean, we voted for this in Nov of 2012..how the fuck long does it take?
frazzled
(18,402 posts)They could make a HECK of a lot of money on that in Colorado.
We have a tax on firearms here in Cook County, IL:
Effective April 1, 2013, as provided in Sections 74-665 thru 74-675, Firearm Tax Ordinance, a tax is imposed on the retail purchase of a firearm in the amount of $25.00 for each firearm purchased. Any retail dealer as defined in this article shall register with the Department in the form and manner prescribed by the Department. Policies, rules and procedures for the registration process and forms shall be prescribed by the Department. Once you have been registered, you will receive a packet including the pre-printed Firearm Tax Returns and Schedules issued by the Department that you are required to remit on a monthly basis.
http://www.cookcountygov.com/portal/server.pt/community/revenue,_department_of/313/firearm_tax/742
There was supposed to also be an ammunition tax as well, but I don't know what happened to it. Must've gotten shot down (ahem), for the time being. But I know Toni Preckwinkel will get it passed eventually.
etherealtruth
(22,165 posts)I definitely think it should be legal ... but, I still wouldn't smoke it. Alcohol is legal and I don't drink it
Eleanors38
(18,318 posts)No, the relative ease in obtaining weed NOW allows most who want to use to do so conveniently. So, how is the rate of smoking and its attendant sales supposed to be dramatically different? The sky won't fall.