Title:
A 300% tax on Arizona medical marijuana? Heck no!
Message:
Also, submit your public comments on
the new draft rules by February 18.
We expected the Arizona
legislature to try to mess with Proposition 203, even though Arizona’s Voter
Protection Act requires any amending legislation to further Prop 203’s purpose
and a three-fourths vote of the legislature for passage. But even we were
surprised to see H.B. 2557
introduced with 13 sponsors. This bill would tax the sale of medical marijuana
at non-profit dispensaries at 300%, far greater than the usual 5% retail rate!
Please call your representative to tell
him or her that 300% is an unacceptable tax for medical marijuana. You can also dress professionally and attend the
hearing.
What: House Ways
and Means Committee H.B. 2557 hearing
When: Monday,
February 7, 2:00 p.m.
Where: Room HHR 1
at the Arizona
House of Representatives
Marijuana
decriminalization measure H.B. 2228 was
also introduced. It would redefine personal use possession of two ounces or less of
marijuana from a class 6 felony to a petty offense, punishable only by a $100
fine. Petty offenses are almost always citation only, and do not require
arrest. You can follow its hearing status here.
There is also H.B. 2598,
sponsored by Rep. Daniel Patterson (D), that would limit total marijuana
taxation on all levels to 10%, and S.B. 1421,
another complex taxation bill. S.B. 1358
would require everyone involved in Arizona medical marijuana to be Arizona residents,
and would prohibit importation and exportation.
Finally, the new Arizona
draft rules have been released, and they generally look good, especially
because they made many of the changes that you and MPP suggested. Please read
them, submit your
comments by February 18, and attend
a public meeting the week of February 14.
