State law dictates where Arizona can spend tax revenue from marijuana sales
When Arizona voters approved Proposition 207 last November, they did not just choose to join the more than 15 other states and the District of Columbia to legalize an adult-use marijuana program. They also choose to implement a new tax on the sales of the drug.
With the news last week that Arizona’s adult-use recreational and medical marijuana programs brought in more than $115 million in tax revenue to state coffers this year through July, and about $53 million of that attributable directly to Prop. 207, industry insiders are excited.
“The Arizona Department of Revenue’s updated figures on this year’s marijuana tax revenue to date demonstrates that the decision to legalize adult-use marijuana was the right decision ethically and fiscally,” Samuel Richard, executive director for the Arizona Dispensary Association said in a news release.
The new recreational law allows all adults in Arizona to possess up to an ounce of the drug and grow up to six marijuana plants without facing criminal charges. But where those tax dollars go and how they can be used is also tied to the language of the law.
Here’s a breakdown of where all that money is going, and in some cases, how it can be used.
What taxes are collected
Michael Jackson memorabilia helps to pay for COVID care in Equatorial Guinea
Money from Michael Jackson memorabilia seized from the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea is set to help pay for COVID-19 vaccines in the African country.
READ MORE: The top 20 Michael Jackson songs of all time
Around $27million (£19.6million) of assets were confiscated from Teodorin Nguema Obiang Mangue including luxury vehicles and a pair of $275,000 (£200,429) jewel-encrusted gloves belonging to Jackson, according to the US Department of Justice.
The money comes from a civil forfeiture settlement dating back to 2014 between the US and Mangue after he was accused of purchasing items in the United States with money obtained through corruption. Mangue has disputed the claims.
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As a result the United Nations will receive $19.25million (£14million) to buy and distribute vaccines in the Central African country, while $6.35million (£4.6million) will be handed over to a US-based charity “for the purchase and distribution of medicines and medical supplies throughout Equatorial Guinea,” the justice department added.
The DOJ’s statement also said that Mangue “was required to sell a Malibu, California, mansion that he purchased for $30million (£21.8million), a Ferrari automobile and various items of Michael Jackson memorabilia, and to contribute $1million (£730,000) representing the value of other property.”
In July, a French appeal court also upheld a guilty verdict against Mangue for embezzlement, a judgment that could potentially pave the way for the return of millions of dollars to Equatorial Guinea, according to CNN.
He was earlier convicted in France and given a suspended three-year sentence, including a $35million (£25.5million) fine for purchasing luxury properties with illegal funds. His luxury assets were also confiscated.
The verdict by the French court came days after Britain announced it had imposed sanctions on Mangue for misappropriating millions of dollars including asset freezes and a travel ban.
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Meanwhile, Jackson’s siblings recently revealed they are trying to record new music featuring unreleased work from the late singer.
SunShare gets USD 30m investment from PE firm Ember
SunShare gets USD 30m investment from PE firm Ember
September 22 (Renewables Now) - Denver-based solar developer SunShare LLC has received a USD-30-million (EUR 25.5m) equity commitment from private equity firm Ember Infrastructure to grow its community solar platform.
SunShare is a family-owned company that was established in 2011. Presently, the firm has over 13,000 customers subscribed in more than 80 community solar projects across the states of Colorado and Minnesota. It says it is one of the few developers to own and operate its projects.
“This investment will support our momentum; accelerate our ability to provide jobs, local partnerships with farmers, landowners, and utilities; and provide clean energy to more people to meet growing demand,” SunShare CEO and founder David Amster-Olszewski said.
Industry veteran and Ember partner, Bob Kelly, is now joining SunShare’s board of directors as a result of Ember’s investment.
(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.852)