In Washington, there is currently a 37% excise tax on the sale of each cannabis product-- the highest excise tax in the continental U.S. Money made from this tax is allocated to state programming, primarily the Department of Health. But now House Bill 1641, introduced in the legislature earlier this month, could increase the excise tax up to 65% on certain products, depending on their THC potency. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana. Under the bill, marijuana products with THC content less than 35% would remain at a tax rate of 37%, like it is now. Products with 35-59% THC would have a 50% tax, and those with THC of 60% or more would have a 65% tax. "If we fail to act now to counter the emerging public health crisis created by high-potency cannabis products, we will soon have another epidemic on our hands," said Rep. Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline. Read the full story here: https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/high-potency-thc-products-risk-higher-taxes-washington-state/281-cdddfd42-4858-4845-a239-4ef1261f47aa