Sacramento, CA – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council applauded the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee for passing AB 564 (Haney). AB 564 will allow California’s legal cannabis industry to survive against the growing threat of the illegal market by preventing an unprecedented 25% excise tax increase. The following statement may be attributed to Amber Parrish, Executive Director, UFCW Western States Council:
“With the news last week that the state of California plans to raise the cannabis excise tax rate to 19%, AB 564 is now needed more than ever. If this tax rate goes into effect, it will only accelerate the failure of more legal cannabis businesses, and failed businesses don’t pay taxes. AB 564 freezes the cannabis excise tax at 15 percent, and gives businesses who are playing by the rules a chance to stay afloat in an industry that is contracting every day. Without this bill, the illicit cannabis industry will only flourish more and keep putting untested, untaxed and unregulated cannabis products into the hands of consumers.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2025
Contact: Jenna Thompson, [email protected], 949.246.1620