Pot Is Making Colorado So Much Money They Literally Have To Give Some Back To Residents

[former9thward]

5. That is "High Times"

Not exactly unbiased.

Another source:

Colorado's missing marijuana taxes


Voters legalized retail marijuana (pot for everyone, not just medical patients) in 2012. And they were told the state would pull in $33.5 million from two new taxes in the first six months of 2014. It turns out, the projections were way off. Here's why

Pot smokers are still buying on the black market: The state thought more people would migrate out of the black market. But only 60% of people who want pot in Colorado this year will buy it through legal channels, according to an estimate from the Marijuana Policy Group.

One big reason: Legal pot costs a lot more than illegal pot -- mostly because of taxes and fees.
Legal retail marijuana is taxed more than 27%, so it's easily cheaper on the black market.
And there's more than one way smokers are scoring pot without paying taxes.

Some are likely procuring it under the table from medical marijuana patients who buy it on the up-and-up and then resell it illegally -- depriving the state of tax revenue.

http://money.cnn.com/2014/09/02/news/economy/marijuana-taxes-colorado/
Plus, any Coloradan over 21 can grow up to six plants for personal use. If they are selling it on the black market, that's even more tax revenue the state's missing out on.