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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Oregon Legislature. This is a venue for political and policy coverage of the state government in Salem and its impact on the people of Oregon.

Oregon Has Collected More Than $40 Million In Pot Taxes

Austin Jenkins
/
Northwest News Network
Oregon has collected more than $40 million in taxes on recreational marijuana.

Marijuana retailers began collecting a 25 percent tax on recreational marijuana sales starting in January. That money is adding up quickly.

According to the latest figures from the state Department of Revenue, Oregon has collected more than $40 million in taxes on recreational pot through the end of September. After administrative costs, the money will be divided among schools, law enforcement and drug treatment programs.

The state tax on recreational pot will soon drop to 17 percent in many places. But local governments are allowed to add their own 3 percent tax on top of that.

Voters in more than 100 cities and counties around Oregon will decide in November whether to do just that.