The 50:420 States Plan

The 50:420 States Plan

This is not a presumption to dictate to the States the use of funds received through the State level portion of the “Hemp Tax” but simply a recommendation.  It is impossible to think exclusively, when contemplating the possibilities of a Federal “Hemp Tax”, and ignore the possibilities that exist on the State level.  While the possibilities that exist with Proposition 420 insofar as revitalizing the national economy as well as benefiting multiple segments of the population are broad and sweeping, there exists more which can be done.  Thus, without attempting to dictate to the fifty sovereign States the manner in which their individual State “Hemp Tax” revenues should be allocated, what follows is a rather broad suggestion only.

The basic idea behind the 50:420 States Plan is to offer a general outline for revenue spending of State “Hemp Tax” revenues.  What is offered is a simple list of 4 suggestions with a remainder of 20% left to be decided by the Citizens of each State.  The four suggestions are as follows:

1)    20% of the total revenue garnered by the State “Hemp Tax” to be disbursed equally amongst the full time Citizens of the State.  Inspired by the manner in which the Governor of Alaska appropriately ‘shared the wealth’ of the State owned resources insofar as natural energy amongst the Citizens of that state, being that Hemp/Cannabis tax revenues acquired on the State level belong to the Citizens of that state, an equal disbursement amongst the populace of a percentage is an appropriate use for such funds.  The Citizens of the State should have full opportunity to decide for themselves how to spend their personal share though opportunities should be established to allow for such funds to be directed, if so individually decided, to offset owed State taxes or established in accounts to ensure utility payments.

2)    20% of the total revenue garnered by the State “Hemp Tax” to be used to assist with Foster Home programs and in adoption services.  The idea here is to offer greater financial assistance to those individuals and families who serve their community as Foster Parents to help further offset the costs associated with additional mouths to feed and bodies to clothe.  A similar assistance package can be developed, based on similar amounts, to assist with adoption by allowing the State, through a portion of the State “Hemp Tax”, to offer adoptive parents a form of ‘child support’ assistance to help offset the costs of assuming such a noble role.  The overall intent of this idea is to offer realistic opportunities to those who wish to adopt and for those who are ideologically opposed to abortion, an opportunity to experience the positive benefits of adoption and thus, with hope, offer a more positive choice other than abortion wherever possible.

3)    20% of the total revenue garnered by the State “Hemp Tax” to be used to allow for a gradual increase in pay for State Employees.  This is simply a way in which to offer a means to increase the salaries of State employees without resorting to traditional means of taxation. 

4)    20% of the total revenue garnered by the State “Hemp Tax” to be allocated toward City, State and Local level infrastructure upgrades and repairs.  While there is an entire portion of the Federal “Hemp Tax” allocated to Infrastructure redevelopment, there are some areas wherein the State can play a direct role.  Primary in this concern would be to assist communities with the development of basic infrastructure needs.  Another idea that might prove beneficial would be to establish urban clean-up teams, offering employment to those in need through revitalizing dilapidated urban centers.

Therein lie four suggestions on how States might benefit through a State level “Hemp Tax” similar to that suggested on the Federal level.  By using the percentages of disbursement suggested here, a remainder of 20% of the State “Hemp Tax” revenue exists which should be sent to the voters of each individual State to decide what should be done with it.