The Town of Aurora redistributes a portion of pot taxes for the homeless

Like Los Angeles thinking about it, Aurora will redistribute part of its tax revenues from cannabis sales to help the homeless.

One of Colorado's largest cities has allocated 1.5 million dollars 1.5 million in 2017 and 2018. In this city of 325,000 inhabitants, containing only around twenty cannabis dispensaries, revenues due to cannabis sales stood at $5.4 million in 2015.

The Aurora City Council also donated $600,000 to a charity specializing in helping the homeless. $600,000 was matched by $220,000, also from cannabis, donated by the State of Colorado. The city council is also talking about eventually building a center for the homeless, where they will be able to stay, wash and launder their clothes.

Councillor BoB Roth says: «We just want to show people where the money goes and how we act for the community on specific, concrete projects.»

The city expects a slight increase in cannabis sales in 2016. However, City Council members are faced with a conundrum: the city has set a limit of 24 dispensaries on its territory, and will reach this ceiling during 2016.

As a result, revenues from recreational cannabis sales will cease to grow. The city will then have to choose between capping its tax revenues or redoubling its appetite. by popping the lock which mandates 24 dispensaries. More weed, more money, more budget, more investment, more chance of re-election.

Théo Caillart