Policy

Wash. Pot Consultant Thinks State Is Overprojecting Tax Revenue

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

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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)