Political Eye: Marijuana could equal tax revenue for Nevada

There could be gold in cannabis in terms of tax revenue if Nevada voters in 2016 ultimately approve the recreational use of marijuana for adults, based on estimates for Oregon and Alaska.

Estimates made by Arcview Market Research’s team for the two states, which passed marijuana legalization initiatives Nov. 4, show projected first-year retail sales of nearly $200 million in Oregon, which has a population of 3.9 million.

Projected excise tax revenue is $20 million, with total demand estimated at 158,897 pounds.

The Oregon Market Potential, defined as the market’s value if 100 percent of all current demand for cannabis went to the legal regulated market, is estimated at $569 million.

For Alaska, with about 750,000 residents, first-year retail sales are estimated at nearly $80 million with excise tax revenue of $10 million. Total demand is estimated at 40,928 pounds with the market potential estimated at $187 million.

Backers of a proposal to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Nevada turned in nearly 200,000 signatures Wednesday to get the proposal on the 2016 ballot. The process of checking the signatures to make sure there are enough to qualify the measure is now underway.

The Nevada Legislature will get the first crack at the proposal in the 2015 session if it qualifies. If lawmakers fail to act, voters will decide in about two years’ time.

The Oregon and Alaska projections are based on estimated existing demand from marijuana consumers, new marijuana consumer demand and demand from out-of-state visitors.

Oregon adult-use stores will enter a highly competitive market with established retail competition from Washington State, existing medical marijuana stores in Oregon and cheap black-market supply from Northern California, the Arcview report says.

The Alaska market has less overall demand but also less competition from legal sources, leading to more demand being met by adult-use stores. Market prices will be higher because of geography and limited alternative supply.

ArcView Market Research says it has been producing the definitive market data and analysis for the cannabis industry since 2011.

— Sean Whaley

BRINGING PRAYER TO EBOLA FIGHT

Spiritual leaders gathered last week in Carson City to bring the power of prayer to the fight against Ebola.

Organized by Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, it included prayers from various Christian denominations, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish and Baha’i religious leaders.

Zed said the interfaith effort at the Governor’s Mansion was designed to seek God’s mercy on the worldwide Ebola victims, their loved ones and care providers.

Sen. Dean Heller sent a signed certificate for the occasion recognizing the multi-faith prayer service, saying: “Your compassion is commendable and greatly appreciated.”

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that while a lot of work was being done in the medical field to fight the spread of Ebola, religious leaders also have a sacred duty to pray and seek God’s mercy on Ebola’s victims.

Besides Zed, who recited the Gayatri Mantra, other participants included Church of God in Christ Bishop Luther James DuPree Jr., International Community of Christ Chancellor Sean Savoy, Roman Catholic Sister Marie McGloin, Northern Nevada Muslim Community President Sherif A. Elfass, Buddhist Priest Matthew T. Fisher, Jewish Rabbi ElizaBeth W. Beyer, Baha’i teacher Roya Galata, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Area Seventy member George Marion Keele, United Methodist Senior Pastor Dawn M. Pidlypchak, and Lutheran Pastor Paul J. Bodin.

Zed urged religious leaders worldwide to organize multi-faith prayers displaying their unity and support in the international fight against Ebola.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal virus that has become an international health emergency. Thousands have died in the ongoing Ebola epidemic.

— Sean Whaley

LAXALT ASSEMBLES TRANSITION TEAM

Nevada Attorney General-elect Adam Laxalt isn’t wasting any time in getting ready for his new job as the top law enforcement officer in the state.

Last Wednesday, the Republican lawyer named his transition team to help him prepare to take office in January.

Former Gov. and Attorney General Bob List is chairing the team.

“Our transition team is already hard at work assisting Adam Laxalt in this transition,” List said in a statement. “Our goal is to make sure that the transition is successful so that Adam can begin serving all Nevadans the day he is sworn into office.”

Members of the team include the following:

■ Patty Cafferata, former district attorney, Nevada treasurer and executive director of the Nevada Ethics Commission.

■ Joshua Hicks, former deputy attorney general, general counsel and chief of staff to former Gov. Jim Gibbons.

■ Amy Ayoub, a member of the National Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities and former chair for the National Conference for Community and Justice.

■ Richard Gammick, Washoe County district attorney and former president of the Nevada District Attorney’s Association.

■ Jeffrey Barr, former North Las Vegas city attorney.

■ Ron Pierini, Douglas County sheriff, chairman of the Nevada Peace Officer Standard and Training Commission and past president of Nevada Sheriff’s and Chief’s Association.

■ Robert Uithoven, political and public affairs consultant and board member of Keystone Corp of Nevada. Uithoven was a top adviser to Laxalt’s campaign against Democrat Ross Miller, the outgoing secretary of state.

■ Gerald Gardner, former chief of staff to Gov. Brian Sandoval and former Carson City assistant district attorney.

“I am proud to name these distinguished Nevadans to my transition team,” Laxalt said in a statement. “These men and women possess the collective wisdom and experiences to advise me and my team on successfully transitioning into the attorney general’s office.”

Laxalt, a former Navy judge advocate general, worked for a Las Vegas law firm before running for attorney general after moving to Nevada several years ago. He is the grandson of former U.S. Sen. and Gov. Paul Laxalt.

— Las Vegas Review-Journal