California’s governor is touting the state’s large haul of marijuana tax revenue since voters legalized recreational cannabis in 2016, saying that the money “helps fund programs that benefit Californians, including childcare and early childhood development, youth substance abuse prevention, medical research and environmental recovery.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Wednesday said that legal marijuana sales have generated nearly $8.4 billion in tax revenue for California communities. That includes almost $4.5 billion worth of cannabis excise taxes and nearly $3.4 billion in sales taxes.
“We are building a legal cannabis market that generates billions for Californians, and going after the illicit operators who undermine it,” Newsom said. “That’s public safety—protect consumers, support the businesses playing by the rules and put the revenue to work in our communities.”
The governor’s office said in the second quarter of this year alone, the state collected more than a quarter of a billion dollars ($261.7 million) in marijuana taxes.
Officials are also highlighting the administration’s efforts to crack down on illicit cannabis activity, singling out an August seizure of $13.3 million worth of illicit marijuana and tobacco products.
“Taking illicit cannabis off the streets protects California’s law-abiding licensed businesses and is another step toward a fairer
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