While marijuana legalization in Nevada may have had some growing pains, things seem to be going pretty well.
And now one politician wants to start using those benefits, writes Joseph Misulonas.
Nevada State Senator Tick Segerblom called on the state to use more of its marijuana tax revenue to fund education programs.
Under the current law passed by Nevada, marijuana tax money is sent to the state’s reserve fund where it can be used in emergency situations.
This is commonly known as a “rainy day fund.” But Segerblom says that money would be better spent on education programs, such as the Clark Count School District (which contains Las Vegas) that’s running a $60 million budget deficit.
Unfortunately, the Nevada legislature will not be in session again until 2019. Nevada’s Governor Brian Sandoval could call a special legislative session before 2019 to allow the legislature to change the laws to divert the money towards education, but Sandoval says that he doesn’t believe that’s necessary and that the issue can be delayed until 2019.
The state of Nevada originally estimated it would collect $13.6 million in tax revenue in the first seven months of legalization. Instead, they’ve brought in nearly $23 million, nearly double their original estimates.
credit:420intel.com
