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Dude, Can Marijuana Beat The Tax Man?
Posted by CN Staff on March 13, 2013 at 05:14:19 PT
By Robert W. Wood, Contributor 
Source: Forbes Magazine
USA -- Aren’t marijuana growers, dealers and dispensaries just trying to pay their taxes and make a profit like everybody else? In the staid world of tax law, it can seem downright strange to be worried whether someone has “trafficking” tax problems. Such is the odd symbiosis between conflicting federal and state laws.Federal law still outlaws marijuana even in states that legalize it. Reminiscent of Al Capone, that makes taxes a big problem. 18 states and the District of Columbia allow medical marijuana. Massachusetts was most recent. See Medical marijuana law passes in Massachusetts. Colorado and Washington legalized even recreational use. See Colorado, Washington First States to Legalize Recreational Pot.
But legal dispensaries are still drug traffickers to the feds, so Section 280E of the tax code denies their tax deductions. Intended to prevent tax deductions by drug dealers, it covers medical marijuana too. The IRS says it must enforce Section 280E no matter what state law says.Indeed, of all the federal enforcement efforts, taxes hurt most. “The federal tax situation is the biggest threat to businesses and could push the entire industry underground,” the leading trade publication for the marijuana industry reports. One answer is for dispensaries to deduct other expenses distinct from dispensing marijuana. See Californians Helping to Alleviate Medical Problems Inc. v. Commissioner.If a dispensary sells marijuana and is in the separate business of care-giving, the care-giving expenses are deductible. If only 10% of the premises are used to dispense marijuana, most of the rent is deductible. Good record-keeping is essential. See Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Persist Despite Tax Obstacles.Another idea is that Marijuana sellers might operate as nonprofit social welfare organizations. See Growing the Business: How Legal Marijuana Sellers Can Beat a Draconian Tax. That way Section 280E shouldn’t apply. A social welfare organization must promote the common good and general welfare of people in its neighborhood or community. Operating businesses in distressed neighborhoods to provide jobs and job-training for residents? That could fit a dispensary nicely.Meanwhile, Congressmen Jared Polis (D-CO) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced a bill to end the federal prohibition on marijuana and allow it to be taxed. This legislation would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act. That way growers, sellers and users could no longer fear violating federal law. Their Marijuana Tax Equity Act would also impose an excise tax on cannabis sales and an annual occupational tax on workers dealing in the growing field of legal marijuana.Robert W. Wood practices law with Wood LLP, in San Francisco. The author of more than 30 books, including Taxation of Damage Awards & Settlement Payments (4th Ed. 2009 with 2012 Supplement, Tax Institute), he can be reached at Wood WoodLLP.com. This discussion is not intended as legal advice, and cannot be relied upon for any purpose without the services of a qualified professional.Source: Forbes Magazine (US)Author: Robert W. Wood, Contributor Published: March 13, 2013Copyright: 2013 Forbes Inc.Contact: readers forbes.comWebsite: http://www.forbes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/ra7kvAN1CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 
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Comment #2 posted by mexweed on March 13, 2013 at 18:29:49 PT:
Reasonable tax suggestion
If legalization eliminates the present draconian "Law Enforcement Risk Tax" which results in $200/oz. herb compared to 28 grams of tobacco in two $igarette PACks under $20 in most states, and herb sells for $20/oz plus tax, why a 100% tax (total $40/oz) is no big deal to have our legality and liberty reasonably affordable. Oh yes that's under 4 cents a 25-mg toke in a one-hitter.
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Comment #1 posted by HempWorld on March 13, 2013 at 08:58:29 PT
No representation without taxation...
Or is it; no taxation without representation...
Hemp Magazine
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