ONTARIO — A bill that would allow the city of Ontario to go to voters for more local tax revenues from the sales of recreational marijuana goods is still winding
March 30 2021
Sales top $1 billion, but the state s marijuana economy faces federal tax code woes, crime, wildfires and lawmakers eager for revenue
They ve never been higher.
Oregon recreational marijuana sales have climbed to record highs, but some say the industry s woes also have reached an apex. The difficulties range from an unfavorable federal tax code to a dangerous crime wave, wildfires, and cities and counties hungry for a larger slice of the tax pie. Businesses are still struggling, says Kim Lundin, executive director of the Oregon Cannabis Association. High sales don t transfer to overall industry success.
But the marijuana milestone $1.1 billion in sales in 2020, blowing past the $795 million benchmark set in 2019 has started a battle for cash at the state Capitol regardless.
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ONTARIO
Two bills introduced in the Oregon Legislature to allow cities to boost revenue from the tax on retail marijuana sales were heard in committee on Thursday, and testimony pitted city officials for the bills against marijuana industry representatives opposed to them.
Lead-off witnesses before the House Revenue Committee were from Ontario as the bills were introduced by Rep. Mark Owens, R-Crane, at the request of city officials.
House Bill 2014 would distribute marijuana funds revenue by population and location of the city, based on its share of retail sales of marijuana items in Oregon. Currently distribution is based on population and the number of licensed marijuana businesses.