State Of Oregon Makes Over $1 MILLION On Marijuana Sales

[matcom]

<snip>

SALEM, Ore. -- Oregon lawmakers have discovered an unexpected source of revenue -- medical marijuana.

When Oregon began its medical marijuana program six years ago, officials didn't expect it to grow so fast. Now, there are more than 10,400 registered patients who have produced a surplus of $1.1 million.

Hungry to balance Oregon's lopsided budget, House legislators voted 49-10 last week to siphon $900,000 of that money to pay for other Human Services' needs. The bill now moves to the Senate.

Barry Kast, the agency's assistant director for health services, said the department was left with no choice after "three years of cuts, cuts, cuts."

But backers of medical marijuana say that the surplus should be poured back into the program, not Human Services.

"If any of this money came from the general fund, I'd agree that some of it should be transferred back. But the medical marijuana program never cost the taxpayer a dime," said Dr. Rick Bayer, a physician who was the chief petitioner of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act, which passed in 1998.

http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/4554281/detail.html

[MissB]

1. Technically it isn't

the sale of marijuana. It is the licensing of those that use it for medicinal purposes. The State of Oregon isn't in the business of selling pot. :D

[benburch]

If Illinois would legalize...

Our $75 tax per ounce would bring millions!

Yes, we already have a tax stamp act. We use it to justify asset forfeiture. But overnight, were there legalization, it would be a major revenue source for the state!

[swag]

2. I'd rather they make even more through pot than through these

fucking video poker machines that are fleecing schmucks across the state.

America (the west, in particular) is becoming a big casino with a sweatshop attached.

[4morewars]

4. HAH ! I like that !

"A big casino with a sweatshop attached"

I love it. We're number 1 ! ,in the race to the bottom.

[swag]

5. Feel free to use that phrase if you like.

Spread the word. Bring reality home.

Number 1 in the race to the bottom, indeed.

Cheerio.

[Squeech]

7. Exactly

Apt description of social security piratization too.

[sexybomber]

3. yay!

Good for them! :D

[4morewars]

6. Imagine how much they'd make...

if they sold it to anyone that wanted it ? Imagine how much money would be saved if the police didn't have to deal with enforcing archaic, draconian laws ? Imagine the mad bud one could grow. :smoke:
Life would be sweet ! :hippie:

[Tsiyu]

8. Marijuana could save this Union

Legalize it and we'd have all the revenue we need, plus cops could spend the law enforcement $$$ catching the REAL bad guys.

But wait! That makes sense! Looks like I need to go puff up and get out of Fantasy Land....:smoke:

[SOteric]

9. matcom moves to Oregon...story at 11:00.