According to recent statistics, combined adult and recreational cannabis sales in Arizona have reached more than $2.9 billion since recreational use was legalized in January 2021. In particular, northern Arizona has seen a growing legalized cannabis industry, resulting in more high-paying jobs in rural areas, more high-quality products in pharmacies across the state, and more community services thanks to the excise tax. is improving.

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Increased employment in the cannabis industry

Snowflake is located atop the Colorado Plateau at 5,600 feet above sea level in Navajo County, about three hours from Phoenix. This town of less than 7,000 inhabitants has Copperstate Farms, is one of the largest greenhouse cannabis producers in North America, with 1.7 million square feet of canopy and 40 glazed acres. OnPoint Laboratories, an ISO-certified and ADHS-certified facility that conducts statewide cannabis compliance testing, is also based in Snowflake.

“We have been in Snowflake since 2016 and are one of the largest employers in town, offering over 170 jobs to local residents,” said Tim Nolan, COO of the company. “We not only offer operations-based positions within greenhouses and processing facilities, but over time have added full-fledged solvent-free extraction labs and hydrocarbon labs. In addition to our five pharmacies, we provide employment for dozens of Valley residents, including 45 employees at our Tempe distribution center.”

On Point Laboratoriesis also located in Snowflake, in a 10,000 square foot certified high-throughput lab facility that operates 7 days a week. The company employs more than 50 of his employees and expands senior-level opportunities for highly skilled professionals in the field. “Our employees are the best in the technical and scientific fields in which they specialize and migrate to the White Mountains from all over the world,” said Sam Richards, CEO of OnPoint Labs.

The company recently added the SCIEX Triple Quad 6500+ system to its industry-leading collection of instruments, instruments and technologies. “Not only do we believe that investing in our people is important, but we also continue to invest in our equipment and facilities,” says Richard.

OnPoint Labs offers compliance testing services ranging from soil and water nutrient analysis, site visits for environmental and critical control point analysis, education on proper sampling techniques, hop latent viroid detection, cannabis gender testing, and more. , provides in-depth research and development support. such as plants.

Located in the Tonto National Forest with a population of just over 16,000, Payson has Ally Biotechis a cannabis science company developing lipofusion delivery technology, considered the next generation oral delivery technology for the cannabinoid market.

Like OnPoint Labs, the company offers dozens of high-tech science and technology jobs to northern Arizona residents, including cannabis industry veteran Dr. Charles C. including the hiring of a Chief Scientific Officer. Ally Biotech also recently announced the acquisition of the Arizona-based Chill Pill brand, a broad line of easy-to-swallow THC softgels.

The company’s president, Jim McCowyack, said plans are underway to expand the chill pill product line to include new products developed in custom, highly bioavailable formulations. Francis Bacek, the company’s vice president of business development, agrees.

“The Chill Pill provides a superior delivery system that consistently delivers accurate doses,” says Baczek. “We are excited to support Payson’s economic development while adding new products, expanding our team and introducing science and technology to our business and brand expansion.”

Cannabis Sales Benefit Northern Arizona Community Services

While job opportunities in the cannabis sector in northern Arizona continue to expand, so too does excise tax support from cannabis sales. These taxes benefit educational institutions, fire and medical services, highway repairs, and other social services throughout the state, including northern Arizona.

In Arizona, medical marijuana patients pay sales tax on cannabis purchases, with an additional 2% added by the local jurisdiction. Arizona levies a 16% tax and approximately 6% sales tax on the sale of recreational cannabis.

According to a recent report, excise taxes from the sale of legalized cannabis from January to December 2022 generated $96,953,947. Arizona Mirror Report. Since Proposition 207 passed in 2020, $74,386,954 in taxes has been collected from both medical and recreational marijuana sales. However, according to the report, the total tax revenue by 2022 reached a whopping $255,997,918.

Northern Arizona provides some examples of these numbers.

● Over $1.4 million for Coconino Community College

● $211,135 for the Sedona Police Department

● $260,839 for Flagstaff Police Department

● $84,422 for Payson Fire Department

“These numbers show that sales from the state’s regulated cannabis industry are quietly benefitting the services northern Arizona communities need to thrive,” Fox said. increase.

growing field

Experts at Copperstate Farms, Onpoint Laboratories, and Ally Biotech all agree that Northern Arizona’s cannabis industry will bring quality jobs, cross-industry businesses, and improved community services thanks to excise taxes. said it expects to continue to expand.

“From education to safety, tax dollars from the sale of medical and recreational cannabis help improve communities and the people who live in northern Arizona,” Nolan said. “Add to this the quality jobs that cannabis companies bring to the region, and those of us in the industry are excited to see how the Northern Arizona cannabis sector continues to grow.”