When states legalize pot, they can levy substantial taxes on the marijuana industry and generate much-needed revenue for their budgets. Colorado’s recent introduction of marijuana is already bringing in more than $30 million of taxable revenue a month — leading to upwards of $7.5 million of tax revenue. The Drug Policy Alliance estimates that California could raise $1.4 billion annually in extra revenue if it taxed and regulated the sale of marijuana.
If marijuana is legalized federally, the marijuana industry could be more than three times bigger than the NFL — and it could all be taxed.