Oregon pot sales tax collects $3.48 million in first month

Oregon collected $3.48 million in marijuana sales tax revenue in the first months of the program this year, state officials said Thursday.

February was the first month for medical marijuana dispensaries to remit the taxes they collected on their previous month’s recreational marijuana sales. Dispensaries are responsible for collecting a 25 percent tax at the point of sale and remitting it to the Department of Revenue monthly.

Between February 1 and March 4 , the department posted 253 estimated marijuana tax payments to its system, totaling $3.48 million.

Of those payments, 137 were made by appointment and 116 were made by mail. There were 309 dispensaries selling recreational marijuana products in January, according to the Oregon Health Authority.

Dispensaries should remember the following about marijuana tax payments:
* Taxes collected for February’s sales are due to the department by March 31 .
* They need to register for a tax account before making their first payment.
* Vouchers need to be included with all payments.
* Cash, check, or money order are the only payment options.
* Cash payments are only accepted at the department’s main office in Salem. Appointments are required. Call (503) 945-8050 at least 48 hours in advance to schedule an appointment. Appointment times are limited, so please call early in the month.

Registration forms, payment vouchers, and more information about the marijuana tax program are available at www.oregon.gov/dor/marijuana .

Measure 91 provides distribution of revenue after costs to the following:

40 percent to Common School Fund
20 percent to mental health, alcoholism and drug services
15 percent to State Police
10 percent to cities for enforcement of the measure
10 percent to counties for enforcement of the measure
5 percent to Oregon Health Authority for alcohol and drug abuse prevention