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(Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian)
Oregon officials are trying to figure out how to deal with an influx of sales tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales starting early next year.
Recreational cannabis sales begin Oct. 1, but won't be subject to state taxes until Januaru 2016, when under the state's early sales program, a 25 percent sales tax kicks in.
The federal prohibition on marijuana has kept traditional banking generally off limits to the industry, forcing them to rely heavily on cash.
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission is also planning for large cash deposits from marijuana license holders. The agency plans to boost security and upgrade its entry area in anticipation of cash payments from the marijuana industry. Marijuana license holders must pay annual state fees to operate.
Vera Helbert, marijuana tax program manager with the revenue agency, told the liquor control Commission on Thursday that revenue officials are looking at security and how to record cash deposits.
She said the agency may opt to accept cash payments at a single location. She said that's the model used in Washington and Colorado, both home to legal marijuana programs.
"We are still looking at several options to take cash," said Helbert.
-- Noelle Crombie