For years advocates for medical marijuana have fought to
have marijuana legalized in this country. Now, their dream is a reality in
Washington and Colorado and more states are preparing to follow suit. Yet many
of the same people who have crusaded so long and hard for legalized marijuana
have spoken out against it, citing concerns with the new taxes and regulations.
Their fear is that these taxes and regulations will affect their medical
marijuana laws and they wish to keep these two as separate as they can.
Since medical marijuana was legalized in Washington,
numerous medical marijuana collectives or co-ops have sprouted throughout the
state. Most of these storefronts operate in a way that makes it possible for
them to exchange their marijuana crops for donations instead of selling it.
This exchange system has become very profitable for many medical marijuana
individuals.
After I-502 passed in November, the Washington State Liquor
Control Board has been working diligently to draft rules of the new pot system,
including taxing marijuana and tracking "seed to store". It is
exactly these types of taxes and regulations that have the medical marijuana
community concerned.
Pat Hynes, part-owner of Professional Patient Co-op in
Seattle's Fremont neighborhood voiced his concerns for the patients who need
this medicine to feel better. Many are in constant and chronic pain and can
barely afford to pay for their marijuana as it is. An additional 25%-50% in taxes
would be devastating for many of them.
Another group that is concerned over I-502's regulations and taxes are the medical marijuana growers. Many are concerned that big business will run them out of town altogether. As it stands, large corporations, such as Phillip Morris and AB InBev are lobbying in Olympia. How I-502 and the new legalized marijuana business in Washington will affect the medical marijuana community remains to be seen.
