Marijuana Connections

Marijuana sales in Colorado increased by 10% in August. The increase in marijuana sales is attributed mostly to the opening of additional (recreational) dispensaries across the state. The Colorado Department of Revenue announced Thursday that in August, customers bought more than $33 million in recreational marijuana — up from $29.7 million in July and $24.7 million in June. Consumers bought more than $32.2 million in medical cannabis in August. That’s up from $28.9 million in July and $28.6 million in June. The Cannabist reports that since Jan. 1, Colorado has brought in more than $45.2 million in taxes, licenses and fees for rec and medical marijuana. Information from: http://www.denverpost.com

Colorado medical marijuana related sales taxes saw a decline in December of 2010, despite being up by over 450% since 2009. Surprising to many, medical marijuana sales tax in Colorado ended on a down note.  Colorado Springs' city government, for instance, took in only $52,052 this December, compared to the $56,782 that the city government of Colorado Springs collected from medical marijuana related taxes in November.  This marks a decrease of $4,730 in medical marijuana related tax revenue for the city of Colorado Springs, the largest month-to-month decrease experienced in 2010. Nevertheless, the city government of Colorado Springs did manage to generate a considerable sum of  through the taxation of Colorado medical marijuana dispensaries, doctor referral agencies, cultivators, patients and other medical marijuana related businesses and purchases.  Such taxation of  medical marijuana in Colorado Springs earned the city government $488,382.  This is over 450% more than the 200