Illinois: Buffalo Grove establishes new tax on recreational marijuana sales

Buffalo Grove has yet to allow retail sales of recreational marijuana in the village, but it now has a tax in place if it becomes a reality next year.

Village board members on Monday established a 3% municipal cannabis retailers’ occupation tax on all purchases, should they later agree to allow a recreational marijuana dispensary in town. It’s the maximum amount allowed under state law.

Deputy Village Manager Christopher Stilling said Buffalo Grove could, by a conservative estimate, collect $300,000 to $400,000 a year through the tax.

However, Monday’s action does not commit the village to allowing a dispensary. Village leaders have said they’re leaning toward permitting sales of recreational marijuana, but a final decision has not been made.

Officials said establishing the tax comes first because the Illinois Department of Revenue requires municipalities give 90 days’ notice of any new tax in order to collect it in the first quarter of 2020. Village leaders said that meant they needed the new tax in place by Oct. 1 if they wanted to start collecting on sales beginning Jan. 1, when the possession and recreational use of marijuana becomes legal in Illinois.

“The sale (of recreational marijuana) is not approved, but if you don’t do this, then you cannot collect taxes as of Jan. 1,” Village President Beverly Sussman said.

Source:  https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20190917/buffalo-grove-establishes-new-tax-on-recreational-marijuana-sales

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