Colorado Law Makers Recommend a 15 Percent Tax on Marijuana

DENVER (AP) — A state panel set up to regulate marijuana in Colorado is recommending that lawmakers enact a 15 percent excise tax, with the profits going to school construction.

The panel made its recommendation yesterday, but the marijuana tax question is far from settled. Colorado lawmakers could set a lower tax, or they could add sales taxes beyond the current statewide 2.9 percent.

Legislators could even create a special new "marijuana tax" for consumers, plus a series of required licensing fees for growers and sellers.