Pubdate: Sun, 02 Dec 2012
Source: Times, The (Trenton, NJ)
Copyright: 2012 The Times
Contact:  http://www.nj.com/times/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/458

GETTING DOWN TO GRASS TAX

Exempt medical marijuana from N.J. sales tax

The key to finally getting down to brass tacks on New Jersey's medical
marijuana program appears to be getting down to a grass tax.

With agreement on a plan to impose the 7 percent state sales tax on
prescribed marijuana in place, the first dispensary center in
Montclair could open its doors by the end of the year.

That would be just about three years since the measure allowing use of
marijuana for treatment of the chronic pain of some illnesses was
signed into law by former Gov. Jon Corzine.

What a long, strange trip it's been. Red tape and high hurdles have
hindered progress along every step of the process. Applying a sales
tax adds insult to inertia.

Assemblyman Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) who, along with Assemblyman
Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer), has championed of the Compassionate Use
Medical Marijuana Act, says the tax has always been part of the plan.

That was never stated in the legislation. And it doesn't make much
sense to single out the marijuana for taxation when New Jersey does
not tax any other prescription medicine.

It also perpetuates the perception that medical marijuana, though
legal, is somehow illicit, as if the likes of Cheech and Chong are
going to be able to finagle a prescription and show up at a
distribution center ready to party.

The New Jersey program is considered to be among the most restrictive
in the country. Only patients with qualifying conditions who have been
screened by a doctor and approved for inclusion in the program will
have access to the medication.

It's not for recreational purpose and it's not a gateway to reefer
madness. It's a legitimate treatment for chronic pain.

Those in favor of the tax argue that other states tax medical
marijuana. Other states have also decriminalized possession of small
amounts of pot for recreational use. Two have legalized it. Even
though those measures would represent a perfectly acceptable tax
bonanza, New Jersey does not seem any too keen to follow those examples.

The 300 or so patients who have qualified for the program, as well as
nearly 150 more in the application and screening process, have been
waiting for years for relief from chronic pain few of us can imagine.
Despite that suffering, they're trying to do the right thing in
forgoing illegal purchases of street drugs.

New Jersey should also do the right thing, the compassionate thing,
and exempt medical marijuana from taxation.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt