Pubdate: Sun, 12 Dec 2010 Source: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL) Copyright: 2010 The Daily Herald Company Contact: http://www.dailyherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/107 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n995/a01.html Author: Stan White LOOK AT TAX BENEFITS OF MEDICAL CANNABIS Dan Linn is correct (Legalized cannabis could ease state debt, Fence Post, Nov. 28); Illinois need only look at Denver and Colorado. Many cities and towns have been collecting tax revenue associated with medical marijuana sales in Colorado and newspapers have reported it. On Nov. 23, the Denver Post reported that so far this year Denver collected over $2.2 million from dispensaries. Tax revenue in Colorado Springs, as reported in the Gazette, is expected to bring $600,000 this year and $1.2 million to city coffers in 2011, and could fund the ongoing costs of employing eight to 10 new firefighters or cops. And when cannabis is legalized (and it will be legalized) tax revenues will further increase. Cannabis is here for the duration of time, and Illinois needs the money as much or more than any other state in America. Imagine that, millions of citizen that can hardly wait to pay taxes. Stan White Dillon, Colo. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake