CHICAGO (WLS) — The state of Illinois is reporting record tax revenue on legal marijuana, with nearly half a billion dollars in the last year. Illinois consumers pay the second highest taxes in the nation when they buy legal recreational marijuana.
However, experts claim lowering taxes could mean more money for the organizations that benefit from those funds.
The state of Illinois made $445 million dollars in tax revenue from the sale of legal marijuana in the last fiscal year.
But where is that money going?
Much of it funds mental health, legal aid and housing programs in underserved communities. Bethany Little’s nonprofit, WIN Recovery, benefits from those taxes.
“To be able to get money back from marijuana taxes is bittersweet for a recovering addict like myself,” she said.
WIN Recovery provides shelter and support services for formerly incarcerated women and LGBTQ+ individuals.
“Sometimes you just need somebody to hold your hand to get through the process,” Little said.
WIN Recovery is now expanding that work thanks to taxes on legal pot.
The Illinois Prison Project, which fights for criminal justice reform, has also benefited from legal marijuana tax revenue.
Twenty five percent of Illinois’ pot tax goes to non-profit organizations with small budgets in communities designated as socioeconomically disadvantaged. Another 20% of the state’s marijuana tax revenue goes to substance abuse, prevention and mental health care programs.
The largest portion of the tax proceeds covers the…
