Wash. Pot Consultant Thinks State Is Overprojecting Tax Revenue

Believes they'll bring in half of the cash they think they will

Washington's new pot consultant has one overarching, discouraging message for lawmakers and state budget writers: don't look at weed as an ATM.

Potential tax revenues will probably be less than half of the $450 million that's been projected, said Dr. Mark Kleiman, in a interview Thursday night with TVW's Austin Jenkins.

More important, Kleiman said, to rely on money from pot — like money from gambling, alcohol and tobacco — means relying on abuse and addiction, which are not necessarily desirable state goals.

(Hat tip to Paul)