cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Tax Marijuana Tax Posted by CN Staff on April 10, 2007 at 10:52:17 PT Editorial Source: Press Democrat California -- What part of accountability doesn't the state of California understand? State government can't be bothered with providing a coherent framework for the dispensation of medical marijuana, but it will be happy to slap a tax on anyone who sells it. On Sunday, the Sacramento Bee reported that the state Board of Equalization has served notice that the sellers of medical marijuana must pay state and local sales taxes. If medical marijuana is reaching people who need it, this means the state tax agency is eager to take money from people seeking relief from cancer or AIDS.It remains to be demonstrated, of course, that current practice guarantees that marijuana reaches the people who need it. Absent state regulation, there is a patchwork of local rules that sometimes becomes a pretext for use by people who want to smoke marijuana because, well, they want to smoke marijuana.In that way, medical marijuana and Proposition 215 get dragged into the politics of legalizing pot -- a separate subject.If the state wants to tax people who are sick -- a cruel idea -- it needs to to meet its responsibilities by establishing common-sense rules for the prescription and distribution of medical marijuana. Note: State needs to meet responsibilities before it claims share of revenue.Source: Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA)Published: Tuesday, April 10, 2007Copyright: 2007 The Press DemocratContact: letters pressdemo.comWebsite: http://www.pressdemo.com/Related Articles:Bid To Impose 7.25% Sales Tax on Cannabishttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22855.shtmlSome Aren't Stoked About New Taxhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22848.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #15 posted by mayan on April 10, 2007 at 18:30:41 PT Taxation & Representation If the state wants to tax people who are sick -- a cruel idea -- it needs to to meet its responsibilities by establishing common-sense rules for the prescription and distribution of medical marijuana. If they're going to tax us they had better represent us. If they don't then history may very well repeat itself.THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Riveted on Rosie: http://prisonplanet.com/articles/april2007/100407_b_Riveted.htmO'Reilly Upset at Support For Sheen on Website Poll: http://prisonplanet.com/articles/april2007/100407Reilly.htmFilm presses for truth about 9/11: http://www.morecambetoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=34&ArticleID=26717069-11 Truth Event in Ann Arbor: http://www.911blogger.com/node/7745Bombs in the WTC Buildings Proves Nothing to Racist-Fascist Bigots: http://www.thepriceofliberty.org/06/08/21/ward.htm9/11 Truth: Disinformation & Terrorism - Jim Bamford (video): http://prisonplanet.com/articles/april2007/100407Bamford.htmAlex Jones Calls for Action on Every Eleventh: http://www.truthaction.org/Alex_Jones.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on April 10, 2007 at 18:20:25 PT OT: Iraq Virtual Town Hall Tonight 7 PM Pacific on Tuesday, April 10th for the Iraq Virtual Town Hall.http://pol.moveon.org/townhall/iraq/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Had Enough on April 10, 2007 at 17:21:47 PT Fans seek Florida pardon for Doors' Morrison Tue Apr 10, 2007 5:43PM EDTMIAMI (Reuters) - Two fans have asked Florida to pardon rock bad-boy Jim Morrison, the late lead singer for The Doors, who was convicted of exposing himself during a Miami concert nearly 40 years ago.The two men, Kerry Humpherys of Utah and David Diamond of Ohio, sent a letter to Florida Gov. Charlie Crist last month asking him to issue a full pardon to Morrison on two misdemeanor charges of indecent exposure and using profanity.and…Morrison's trouble with the law stemmed from his notorious appearance at a Coconut Grove concert in 1969 at a time when Miami was a conservative southern city. Police said Morrison rolled down his leather pants and simulated masturbation on stage.Some witnesses disagreed, saying Morrison had only simulated exposing himself.Morrison was sentenced to six months in jail and a $500 fine, but was released pending appeal. The appeal had not been heard when he was found dead in the bath of his Paris apartment on July 3, 1971, apparently of a lethal mix of alcohol and drugs.and…Any pardon for Morrison would be decided by Crist, a Republican, and members of Florida's Cabinet. The Miami Herald noted that both Morrison and Crist attended Florida State University, where sports teams are nicknamed the Seminoles."He's a 'Nole? Well, given that fact, I'm certainly willing to review it," Crist was quoted as saying in Tuesday's Herald. The newspaper said Crist then sang a few lines of "Light My Fire."more…http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN1041805720070410Bride told me about this. ***************FoM. Please delete my prior post if you care to.Why is it, we always proof read better after the comment is posted???… :) [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Sam Adams on April 10, 2007 at 16:35:38 PT being cynical bgreen - I must be equally cynical - how else could you embrace a special tax placed on oneself by the govt? I think they're thieving crooks, that's why the tax will satisfy them. They'll do anything for a buck. They didn't have the gall to tax us until now, or the guts to do it in the face of the federal government. So maybe it's a milestone. maybe it's just more taxes and nothing good, I hope not [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on April 10, 2007 at 14:51:51 PT One More Comment The one thing that has always bothered me is how did all these cannabis dispensaries make so much money and do it without paying tax for years it seems. I don't care about them making a lot of money but I knew that the IRS would get them because that's how they got Al Capone. History does repeat itself. I hope everyone can come thru this ok. That's all for now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by BGreen on April 10, 2007 at 14:23:33 PT Sam Adams, I don't know why I'm so cynical Yes I do. It's called 44 years of life in the USA.Sometimes I don't mind being proven wrong, and this sure would be one of them.The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Sam Adams on April 10, 2007 at 14:02:34 PT other states Yes, they passed tax on cannabis, but how much do they collect and spend? Zero. This could be millions. This could convince them that there's gold in them thar hills - legalization! Nothing politicians love more than good "sin" tax. Another minority to screw.We're trying to move from being violently attacked to being financially attacked in a peaceful way. Lesser of two evils. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on April 10, 2007 at 13:23:33 PT BGreen We wouldn't pay tax on prescription FDA approved medicine in my state I think but medicinal herbs are taxed here. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by BGreen on April 10, 2007 at 13:16:35 PT Missouri doesn't tax prescription drugs I'm not sure about other states, though. It sure wouldn't be fair to tax some medicines available only by a doctor's authorization and not others, would it?The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on April 10, 2007 at 13:14:29 PT BGreen You could be right. I hope because it is California and has so many clubs in might help. It's hard to put the toothpaste back in the tube they say. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by BGreen on April 10, 2007 at 13:03:22 PT re: post #2 I disagree. There are several states that have imposed taxes on cannabis possession and sales while still maintaining barbaric anti-cannabis laws.California wants the money but they DO NOT want to allow sick people access to their medicine. Their actions over the past 10 years are my proof.Just my two cents.The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on April 10, 2007 at 12:53:01 PT Sam I agree. I really believe this will force a change in Federal Law in time because of the tax benefit that California won't want to lose. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on April 10, 2007 at 12:49:24 PT taxing This is good and bad. Taxes are always bad, but one thing is for sure: after a couple years of having this money in their budget, the politicians will fight like hell to keep it there. I think this is a very positive development. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on April 10, 2007 at 12:03:10 PT Medical Pot's Future as Legal Remedy Remains Hazy Tuesday, April 10, 2007URL: http://tinyurl.com/28qrsp [ Post Comment ] Post Comment