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Massachusetts Cannabis Tax Collections Eclipse Alcohol

Excise tax collections from marijuana sales were more than 40% higher over the previous six months.

Massachusetts is now collecting more revenue from excise taxes on the sale of cannabis than from those on alcohol.

The state’s Cannabis Control Commission said excise taxes on recreational marijuana amounted to $74.2 million in the second half of 2021.

Alcohol sales during that period, WCVB-TV reports, generated $51.3 million in excise taxes.

Sales across numerous states jumped dramatically during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Industry observers said although that trend has eased in recent months, changing consumer attitudes are fueling continued growth.

In Massachusetts, cannabis products are subject to excise taxes as well as state and local sales taxes.

Total tax revenue from those sales amounted to $208 million in the previous fiscal year.

Massachusetts retailers have sold more than $2.5 billion worth of cannabis products since recreational sales began in late 2018.

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