Cities receive a small share of the state’s cannabis revenue. Passed by the voters in 2012, the original initiative legalized recreational cannabis, but the initiative did not direct any of the new revenue to cities and counties. In 2015, the Legislature adopted legislation that provided some revenue sharing with cities and counties.
According to the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report, approximately:
- $198.9 million in cannabis revenue went towards the state’s general fund;
- $117.4 million towards basic health programs;
- $36.2 million for education and prevention;
- $21.9 million towards research and programs; and only
- $15 million for cities and counties.
Under the provisions adopted in 2015, the Legislature intended to increase revenue distributions to cities and counties in the coming biennium. However, in the 2019-2021 biennium, cities and towns were only allocated a total of $30 million per biennium instead of the $40 million agreed to in 2015.
Cities should remind legislators of this promise and the need for the additional revenue going into the 2020 legislative session.
Source: @watreasurer