Colorado asks voters to change spending of new pot taxes

Associated Press

DENVER

The only statewide ballot question in Colorado next week seems like a no-brainer: Should the state keep $66 million in marijuana taxes it has already collected to spend on schools and drug-abuse prevention?

The measure arose from an accounting error two years ago, when the taxes were first approved. And it has broad support, from Democrats, Republicans, the marijuana industry and nearly every newspaper in the state.

But the fine print of Proposition BB goes beyond allowing the government to keep the money it already collected. It rearranges the spending plan to give money to some new recipients, including the 4-H Club and Future Farmers of America – youth groups that never sought the handout and aren’t keen on being associated with pot.

Lawmakers insist the marijuana money will be spent as voters generally intended when they approved a 10 percent sales tax and 15 percent excise tax on recreational pot in 2013. For example, the measure sends $40 million to a school construction fund.

“We are looking at trying to keep it related to helping kids stay away from drugs and also education efforts and things of that sort,” said Rep. Beth McCann, a Denver Democrat. She leads the Tony Grampsas Community Board, which is getting $2 million from marijuana taxes to fund anti-violence efforts.

If the referendum is approved, the money will flow though state agencies to a variety of recipients, who have little choice but to accept it.

The youth groups are listed on the ballot measure, probably to enlist more support from voters. But in the case of 4-H, the money actually is going to the Colorado State Fair, which expects to receive $300,000 for renovations.

The story is similar at the Colorado Department of Education, which is getting $2 million for a new “school bullying prevention and education cash fund.”