420 with CNW — Oregon Marijuana Tax Collection S
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Marijuana tax collections in the state of Oregon have hit a new fiscal year record, having collected $15 million in April this year, which brings the total to about $146 million. Last year, the state of Oregon collected a total of roughly $133 million in taxes.
At the start of the pandemic, marijuana sales in Oregon increased by 52% in the April to June period, in comparison with the April to June 2019 sales. In the two quarters that followed, increases of roughly 38% were also observed.
Economists in the state acknowledged that at the start of this year, sales rose once more, totaling more than $100 million. This amount, which was made up of $8.7 million in medical use and $91.5 million in adult-use marijuana, accounts for a 46% increase, in comparison with figures from January 2020.
As can be seen above, marijuana sales increased at the onset of the pandemic, slowed down towards the end of last year before steadily rising once more at the start of 2021. This move surprised economists in the state, who had expected marijuana sales to decrease as more people began to go back to work, the economy gradually reopened and other spending opportunities were presented.
The most recent forecast released by the state’s Office of Economic Analysts noted that predictions showed that short-term sales would improve as a result of strong household finances, an economy without fully reopened entertainment options and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In addition to this, economists stated that they expected marijuana sales to diminish in the fall as the aforementioned issues faded, noting that in the long term, the state’s marijuana industry would flourish once more.
In their updated forecast, the economists assert that the growth rates projected in the long run align with the office’s personal income outlook, which took into consideration wage gains and the increasing population, arguing that they were the primary drivers of recreational cannabis sales in the future. This, in dollar terms, equates to an extra $21 million prediction for the 2021–2023 period. These figures are in comparison to last year’s forecast, which cited $298 million as the forecast for the 2021–2023 biennium.
Additionally, the economists’ forecast from three months ago for the same period stood at $354 million.
Presently, the state of Oregon taxes retail marijuana sales at 17%, with local governments being allowed to add their own tax, which should not exceed 3%.
Credit can be given to cannabis sector players such as Chalice Brands Ltd. (CSE: CHAL) (OTCQB: CHALF) that have availed products found to be worthy enough by the state residents, hence the record-setting taxes paid with the purchases made.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Chalice Brands Ltd. (CSE: CHAL) (OTCQB: CHALF) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/CHALF
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