Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Oakland Proposes Nation's First Pot Tax

City council approves pot levy; voters to decide in July

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 30, 2009 4:55 PM CDT

(Newser) – Oakland’s city council has approved a provision to apply a 1.8% tax to marijuana sold at medical dispensaries. If voters endorse the measure in July, Oakland would be the first city in the US to tax pot, reports the Wall Street Journal. Backers say it would bring in somewhere between $400,000 and $1 million annually for the cash-strapped city.

The owners of Oakland’s four marijuana dispensaries proposed the tax themselves. "We wanted to further legitimize the medical-marijuana paradigm to show that we are truly willing to assist Oakland, and to show other cities that there are social benefits to this," said one. Not everyone buys it. "What are you doing to do next, allow prostitution and tax that?" asked one opponent. "Allow methamphetamine to be sold and tax that?"

A binder showcasing high-grade marijuana buds is displayed at the Coffeeshop Blue Sky dispensary in Oakland, Calif.
A binder showcasing high-grade marijuana buds is displayed at the Coffeeshop Blue Sky dispensary in Oakland, Calif.   (AP Photo/Dino Vournas)
Richard Lee, president of Oaksterdam University, mixes nutrients for growing marijuana, under the glow of yellow hydroponic lights, in Oakland.
Richard Lee, president of Oaksterdam University, mixes nutrients for growing marijuana, under the glow of yellow hydroponic lights, in Oakland.   (AP Photo/Dino Vournas)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Derni
May 1, 2009 12:41 PM CDT
Someone should introduce Rush to pot-oh, sorry he's already taking stronger drugs-so thta's why his brain is dysfunctional-sorry medical pot won't help him
mockingbird
May 1, 2009 12:37 PM CDT
I don't smoke pot and have seen people both use and abuse iit ("abusing" is different than "using"), and I'm -all- for legalizing and taxing it. It's, at minimum, no worse than alcohol. Prosecution for driving under the influence? Fine. No problem. But the way we prosecute otherwise responsible, casual users is asinine.
NewserHound
May 1, 2009 12:17 PM CDT
Sooo many tax dollars wasted to create lies about the effects too. RIDICULOUS! I am with you Jenna! Its no different than alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine.

More Newser Stories

Recession Sparks Efforts to Legalize Pot

Oakland First City in Nation to Pass Pot Tax

California Cities Scramble to Launch Pot Farms

Smokin' Design Features Futuristic Pot Plant

He Wants to Be the 'Two Buck Chuck' of Pot


Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne