Marijuana tax ignites debate

The grace period has ended, and Portlanders were shaking their pipes at the air, regarding Monday’s new legislative mandate.

Jan. 4 marked a new day as dispensaries started to enforce the newly installed marijuana tax for recreational buyers.

According to OregonLive.com, the tax just unveiled will start out at a 25 percent state sales tax on all recreational cannabis purchases. The tax is expected to dwindle to 17 percent by the end of 2016, with a potentially additional 3 percent charged by local city governments.

There are currently five special sales taxes in Oregon – which generally doesn’t have sales taxes – and this will be the largest of them all.

The Oregon State Legislative Revenue Office expects the tax to generate $2 million to $3 million of tax revenue in the first year alone.

Medical patients can let out a sigh of relief, as they will be able to purchase their cannabis products are still tax-free.

Revenue produced by this tax, under provisions of Measure 91 approved by state voters, will go to seven different Oregon projects: