High Times

A chorus of industry stakeholders and lawmakers representing "the two populations most harmed by the War on Drugs"—legacy farmers and BIPOC leaders—plan to descend upon the California Capitol steps in Sacramento, California on Thursday, January 13  for the #NODRUGWARV2 Rally and Press conference. The rally begins at 11 a.m. PST, and every local cannabis advocate who cares about the viability of the industry is invited. The #NODRUGWARV2 Rally and Press Conference highlights two specific actions that the California State Legislature must take before its July 1, 2022 budget deadline: the repeal of the excise tax for equity retailers and the repeal of the cultivation tax for all growers across the state. On January 1, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration's tax hike on dry-weight flower took effect—ushering in the latest blow to cultivators. The rates rose by almost five percent, reaching over $161 per pound. Calling the current tax situation in California the "War on Drugs 2.0"—the idea is to bring a sense of urgency to the issue as farms fail and tax rates purge valuable industry members. Rally speakers include, in order of appearance, Amber Senter, chairperson and executive director of Supernova Women; Assemblymember Mia Bonta (18th District); Genine Coleman of Origins Council;  Kika Keith of Gorilla RX Wellness; John Casali of Huckleberry Hills Farm; Chaney Turner of Oakland's Cannabis Regulatory Commission; Raeven Duckett-Robinson of Community Gardens;  Casey O'Neill of HappyDay Farms; Henry Alston of James Henry SF; Sam De La Paz of the Hessel Farmers Grange; Malakai Amen of the California Urban Partnership; Karla Avila of Trinity County Agriculture Alliance; Carlton Williams of New Life CA; and Senator Steve Bradford (35th District). Senter will be the final speaker and conclude the day's remarks. On Monday, January 10, Governor Gavin Newsom released the 2022-2023 California state budget—promising that…

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Source : Capitol Rally to Bring Cannabis Tax Crisis to Doorstep of California Lawmakers

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