Earlier this week it was reported that marijuana sales in Colorado topped $1 billion in 2015. That is an increase in revenue of nearly 45% from about $700 million in the previous year.

So my question to residents in Massachusetts is twofold: first do you believe the reputation of Colorado has been somehow tainted and is now a less desirable place to live or visit because of the legalization of marijuana? Second, do you think our state can afford NOT to sell marijuana?

Q: If MA sold $1b in marijuana, how much tax revenue would it generate?

A: $62,500,000 (based on MA 6.25% sales tax)

Presumably the sale of marijuana in Massachusetts would be subject to more than our 6.25% sales tax much like cigarettes have additional taxes. Think about how much money we’d generate from the sale of marijuana and square that with the fact that we can’t find the money we need to invest in our infrastructure, improve our schools or make our state universities more affordable.