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Running a marijuana business is more than a pipe dream, says Justin Breidenbach: It’s about
taxes, banking, liability, supply and demand.
Breidenbach, an associate professor of accounting at Ohio Wesleyan University who has been
studying the economics of pot for two years, concludes that there’s potential for big money to be
made if Ohio legalizes pot on Nov. 3. But, he says, marijuana entrepreneurs might go through a
minefield to get there.
“There are many misconceptions about how this industry operates,” Breidenbach said. “Many
believe this is a new-age gold rush. While some companies are doing well, there are just as many
that are struggling to keep their doors open. If Ohio is to legalize marijuana, it is important for
people to understand how this industry will operate and navigate the many hurdles to stay
afloat."
Breidenbach visited growers, processors, shop owners and others in the marijuana business in
Washington, one of four states plus the District of Columbia where marijuana is legal for both
recreational and medicinal purposes. Some Washington businesses are losing money, even going under,
in part because of federal tax-code provisions prohibiting tax deductions for expenses related to
illegal products, which marijuana is under federal law.
Breidenbach, who doesn’t drink alcohol or smoke marijuana or tobacco, said he has no position on
state Issue 3, the proposed constitutional amendment Ohioans will decide in the fall election.
“I’m not fighting for or against the industry,” he said. “I’m trying to study the business
consequences.”
Issue 3 would legalize the purchase and recreational use of marijuana by adults 21 or older as
well as possession and use of medical marijuana for people with a qualifying medical condition. The
cultivation end of the for-profit business would be controlled by 10 investment groups that have
bought into the business by making multimillion-dollar investments in the campaign.
A report released this year by a task force established by Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T.
Deters, a supporter of legalization, offered rosy projections for the jobs potential from Issue 3.
When the market matures after three years, marijuana growers would sell an estimated $1.1 billion
in products, with processors making $726 million and retailers $2.23 billion, the report said.
There would be 35,000 new jobs created related to growing marijuana, refining it and turning it
into edible products for medical dispensaries and retail sales.
The industry would generate an
estimated $554 million in tax revenue, much of it for local government.
ResponsibleOhio, the group backing Issue 3, is planning a news conference this week to outline
business opportunities if voters legalize marijuana.
Most major business organizations, including the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, National Federation
of Independent Business-Ohio and the Ohio Farm Bureau, oppose Issue 3.
Breidenbach said one of the biggest obstacles marijuana businesses face is “280E,” a section of
federal tax code added in 1982 that forbids businesses selling Schedule I or Schedule II drugs,
including marijuana, heroin and cocaine, from deducting a major chunk of their expenses. They can
deduct seed, soil and fertilizer, but not salaries, rent and transportation.
For example, he said, a marijuana business with $1 million in sales might be allowed to deduct
$200,000 in expenses, but not another $500,000 in expenses other businesses could count. Thus, the
pot business would be taxed on $800,000 in sales, not $300,000.
“If that’s the case, you’re going to bankrupt eventually,” Breidenbach said. But even that’s a
problem because bankruptcy is a federal protection unavailable to pot businesses.
In Ohio, pot growers would pay a 15 percent excise tax on sales to processors. Processors would
pay a 15 percent excise tax to sellers, and retailers would pay a 5 percent excise tax — plus
applicable sales taxes. All of this is passed on to the consumer, who ends up paying 35 percent in
taxes on the price of the product, plus sales tax.
Other problems include banking. With marijuana illegal under federal law, most major banks won’t
handle accounts from marijuana businesses. They often use small state or local banks or credit
unions, or they pay employees and banks in cash.
Finally, there’s the liability issue of having employees who might be under the influence of
marijuana. While it would be legal, that still could pose a problem for a trucking company,
day-care center or restaurant owner, Breidenbach, said.
“That’s going to be a big issue. I think you’re going to see a lot of insurance companies jump
on that. It’s going to create a cost for them for drug testing and insurance.”
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