2024 Cannabis Taxes: States Weigh In On New Approaches To Revenue
U.S. states have adopted different tax structures in their respective recreational cannabis markets, each with its pros and cons.
Insights from a recently published article by the Tax Foundation show that ad valorem taxes, which are based on the sales price of cannabis, are still the simplest to implement and mirror typical sales taxes.
However, these taxes are prone to revenue fluctuations since they rely heavily on market prices, which can change over time. As the cannabis market matures and production costs drop, prices tend to fall, potentially eroding the tax base and leading to revenue shortfalls.
On the other hand, ad quantum taxes, which are based on the weight or quantity of the cannabis sold, offer a more stable revenue stream. This tax method targets the harm-causing elements of cannabis, such as high consumption though does not factor in potency. High-potency cannabis products may cause greater harm than low-potency products, and taxing purely by …