Democratic debates

[MTK]

Not a big issue eh? For tax revenue alone it's huge.

http://time.com/4037604/colorado-marijuana-tax-revenue/

And then there's the issue of our overcrowded prisons, wasted law enforcement $$, etc.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by MTK

Not a big issue eh? For tax revenue alone it's huge.

Colorado Brings in $70 Million in Pot Tax Revenue

And then there's the issue of our overcrowded prisons, wasted law enforcement $$, etc.

Matty hate to burst the bubble. But you have to keep the dollar values in perspective. 70 million doesn't even register as a drop in the bucket for a state's budget. It is by monetary definition, a very small issue.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Matty hate to burst the bubble. But you have to keep the dollar values in perspective. 70 million doesn't even register as a drop in the bucket for a state's budget. It is by monetary definition, a very small issue.

Colorado's total revenue in 2014 was ~7.8 billion. So pot tax was about .9% of their total revenue picture.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Colorado's total revenue in 2014 was ~7.8 billion. So pot tax was about .9% of their total revenue picture.

Exactly. I'm not a Coloradan (Coloradoan? Colorodite?) but I am a Pennsylvanian. If PA were to legalize and tax it, I'd be fine with it because live and let live, but how can anyone possibly consider it a big issue?

What's bigger, raising 1% of revenues, or figuring how to best spend the existing 99%?

Whatever, legalize it or don't, I don't care. But you guys are REALLY stretching if you think it's a big consequential thing.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Exactly. I'm not a Coloradan (Coloradoan? Colorodite?) but I am a Pennsylvanian. If PA were to legalize and tax it, I'd be fine with it because live and let live, but how can anyone possibly consider it a big issue?

What's bigger, raising 1% of revenues, or figuring how to best spend the existing 99%?

Whatever, legalize it or don't, I don't care. But you guys are REALLY stretching if you think it's a big consequential thing.

It's like a 3rd tier issue IMO...but it's a subject that intertwined with larger problems: justice system reform, drug war in Mexico & failed US drug war, and immigration and our loose border.