Recreational Marijuana in Pennsylvania Could Bring in Half a Billion in Taxes, Auditor General Says

Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana for patients back in 2016 and officials are beginning to recognize the potential for cannabis within the state. Pennsylvania's Auditor General recently released an analysis on "Regulating & Taxing Marijuana" in which he finds that Pennsylvania has about 800,000 regular cannabis consumers, meaning the market is much bigger than those who are treating conditions with medical marijuana. Based on spending habits of adult cannabis consumers in other states it's safe to assume that they spend an average of $2,100 a year on cannabis. If the state regulates and taxes the plant recreationally at 35% that would add up to over half a billion in tax revenue for the state coming out of around $1.7 billion in sales.

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale released an analysis on "Regulating & Taxing Marijuana" Thursday that said there are about 800,000 regular users of the drug in the state.

DePasquale, a Democrat, says the retail market could be about $1.7 billion, based on studies in other states that indicate adult users typically spend about $2,100 a year on marijuana.