A new report published by the U.S. Census Bureau gives details on tax revenue made from legal marijuana sales since the third quarter of 2021.

The U.S. Census Bureau has released “a new experimental data product featuring quarterly tax collections at the state level for cannabis sales”. The Quarterly Summary of State and Local Government Tax Revenue report provides quarterly estimates of state and local government tax revenue at a national level, as well as detailed tax revenue data for individual states. The information contained in this survey “is the most current information available on a nationwide basis for government tax collections”, according to the Bureau.

The report found that California garnered the most marijuana taxes in the nation at $1.4 billion. This was followed by Washington and Colorado with $818.5 million and $648.1 million. Washington and Colorado were simultaneously the first states to legalize marijuana in November, 2012, while California legalized marijuana in 2016.
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Federal legislation to allow banks and other financial institutes to work with marijuana businesses has garnered tripartisan support in the United States Senate.

The SAFER Banking Act (S.2860), which was recently given approval by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, has garnered tripartisan support in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has vowed to put it to a vote of the full Senate “very soon”.

As of the time of publication, the proposal is sponsored by Democrats, Republicans and independents, a rarity in today’s political landscape.
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For the second straight month marijuana sales in Connecticut have set a new monthly record.

There was $25,203,738 worth of marijuana purchased legally in September throughout Connecticut, a state with a population of around 3.6 million. This is a slight increase over the then-record breaking $24,938,642 sold in August, according to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. $10,814,987 of this was purchased by authorized medical marijuana patients, with the remaining $14,388,751 purchased by recreational consumers.

In September there was 660,151 different marijuana products purchased.
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A bill to legalize marijuana cafes throughout California has been vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Assembly Bill 374 would have legalized Amsterdam-style marijuana cafes where marijuana could be purchased and consumed alongside other food and drink items. It has now been vetoed by Governor Newsom. However, given it was passed by the legislature with more than 2/3rds support (34 to 3 in the Senate and 66 to 9 in the Assembly), it’s unclear if lawmakers will seek to overturn the veto.

“This bill would allow local jurisdictions to permit certain cannabis retailers to prepare and sell food or drinks that do not contain cannabis, as well as host and sell tickets to live events at their licensed premises”, said Governor Newsom in a veto letter. “I appreciate the author’s intent to provide cannabis retailers with increased business opportunities and an avenue to attract new customers.”
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California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 700 into law.

After being overwhelmingly approved by the state’s legislature, Governor Newsom has signed SB 700 into law. Filed by Senator Steven Bradford, the proposal “would make it unlawful for an employer to request information from an applicant for employment relating to the applicant’s prior use of cannabis”.

The measure would not apply to applicants or employees hired for positions that require a federal government background investigation or security clearance in accordance with regulations “issued by the United States Department of Defense pursuant to Part 117 of Title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or equivalent regulations applicable to other agencies.”
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California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a widely supported bill that would have legalized certain psychedelic substances.

“Today’s veto is a setback for the huge number of Californians – including combat veterans and first responders -who are safely using and benefiting from these non-addictive substances and who will now continue to be classified as criminals under California law”, Senator Scott Weiner, the bill’s prime sponsor, said in a public statement following the governor’s veto. “The evidence is beyond dispute that criminalizing access to these substances only serves to make people less safe and reduce access to help.”

Senator Weiner continued by stating that the veto “is a huge missed opportunity for California to follow the science and lead. This is not the end of our fight, however, and given the Governor’s commitment to work with the Legislature on legislation with a therapeutic focus – and openness to future decriminalization legislation- I look forward to introducing therapeutic-focused legislation next year.”
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