Boulder, Colorado has reported a whopping 8.4 million is taxes from its legalized marijuana sales. Yes – that’s million. So, what does this mean for you if you live in Boulder County? Well, it means improved roads, infrastructure, and schools. These tax benefits and their promises is how Colorado and other states (and cities) are getting the legalization of medical or recreational marijuana. But, for the average marijuana merchant, does this really mean anything?
Besides better schools for your kids and better roads to drive on… not really. You see, marijuana is still federally illegal, so banks are not going to work with you. Sorry! You can single-handedly bring in millions of tax dollars and you are still going to be out of luck. The marijuana business funding industry is still the same as its been for the past few years. You will still have problems finding and obtaining funding. However, if you know where to look, you can cut your search in half.
You need to look not to your bank, or to a big-name merchant account provider, but rather a merchant account provider that is familiar with the legalized marijuana industry. It also helps if this merchant account provider offers a “cash advance” or “merchant funding” plan. This seems like a loan, but it isn’t. This program can help you get funds that you need to operate your business, without the hassle of paperwork, collateral, and huge interest fees. The way it works is simple: The funds are placed into your merchant account, and everything you process a credit card sale, a small amount is given back to the merchant account provider as payment. If you do not make sales, you do not pay that day. It’s only fair, right?
While marijuana merchants are bringing in a ton of tax revenue for Boulder County and all of Colorado (and other states), the Feds and the banks are not easing their stance of the industry. When you are in need of business funding, turn to a legitimate and experienced marijuana merchant account provider. The process is quick, easy – and it can get your business booming.
In the many businesses that women lead in, marijuana isn’t usually what you think of. Due to 13 states legalization of recreational and/or medical marijuana, women have taken the reigns of this up and coming legal business. In 2015 the industry brought in around $5.4 billion, and many of those profiting were women. Some are savvy, long-driven business women, and others were simply mothers who wanted to help the public gain access to much-needed (and wanted) medical marijuana. Whatever the reason – and whomever the merchant – these women are taking the United States by storm, but there is one thing that can hold them back.
While legalization of marijuana in many forms – and in many states – garnered over $5 billion dollars in 2015, the sums are expected to grow for 2016. More unique products are being created, and the stigma that once surrounded reefer is slowly fading. These changes are helping the industry to boom, even though it is still a federal offense to sell, grow, or possess it. The Feds are hating this legalization, but they must be loving the taxes that the government is gaining from these sales.
Colorado’s legalized marijuana sales in 2015 may have hit two major records. While the numbers are not yet certain, the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division believes that the legalized products brought in over $900 million in 2015, doubling 2014’s numbers. The other big number belongs to the tax revenue for the state that the marijuana sales brought in 2015, which is upwards of $80 million. These numbers alone should legitimize the industry, but many still are wary of it.
Luckily for the marijuana industry, the legalization is voted in by each state. 22 state currently have some form of legalization, and like any law, not all citizens are pro-marijuana. Lawmakers and citizens on both sides are teaming up, fighting for tougher regulations or more relaxed regulations. Throughout this process, the industry has been growing, providing state revenues that few other industries can touch. This leads to major problems for new and existing merchants, and the riskiness of this industry is far from changing.
Legalized marijuana has brought a lot of changes to the twenty-two states have offer it. From increased tax revenues, to less drug crime, to more creative pot products, the changes are endless. Other issues were not great, such as the lack of trained employees and lack of 
Many are declaring 2016 the year of the “Green Rush”. There is no year leading up to this one that has offered as many promises for marijuana legalization. At the moment, 14 states have the potential to legalize MMJ, adult-use cannabis or possibly both. This positive change is due to other pioneering marijuana markets and the growing support for cannabis in general.
According to recent reports, the price of marijuana is dropping significantly. When the retail industry kicked off in July of 2014, the average price for marijuana was $25 to $30 a gram, according to The Daily News in Longview. As of now, the price for a gram of marijuana has fallen to $8 – or lower.
With more states heading into the legalized marijuana realm, trends are likely to change. Even if more states were not legalizing this valuable herb, trends would change for those in this ever-changing world. New consumers and new locales mean that different things will be in demand – as well as different types of technology. Below are a few prospective trends to watch for in 2016.
For everything under the sun, if state and federal law contradict each other, the Feds win. However, new court cases are challenging this rule, and the cases involve marijuana. Legalized marijuana merchants have a tough time finding everything from funding to marijuana payment solutions, so state law typically helps these merchants. However, the banks are held close by the Feds, so you see why this is a problem. With preemption arguments about to open, will the marijuana industry set precedent for other types of conflict in the courts?