Watch: Washington marijuana industry could grow fast with tax bill

Warning message

The subscription service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.

As marijuana businesses expand in Washington State, a bill being debated in Olympia could prompt the industry to grow even more.

Producers, processors and retail shop owners are closely watching HB 2136, which would rework some of the current regulations and change the tax structure. Some marijuana businesses say it's nearly impossible to make any money under the current tax structure.

"We've learned a lot since I-502 passed," says Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-Seattle), the bill's primary sponsor. "This is an update, and a modernization of the current initiative."

Right now, marijuana laws apply a 25 percent excise tax on each level of the system: producer to a processor, processor to a retailer, and retailer to the customer. In addition, B&O taxes on the production and local retail sales taxes apply.

For those who operate as a producer and a processor, a common business model, they're hit with...

Rate this article: 
Region: 

This marijuana news is brought to you by 420 Intel. For the latest breaking cannabis industry news, subscribe to the 420 Intel newsletter. If you'd like to promote your product or service in this area after every article, contact us.


URL: 
http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2015/05/20/marijuana-industry-grow-tax-whittenberg-king-5/27638353/