Customers would see their pot taxed at about 17 percent. The licensed cultivators — the only marijuana growers permitted to supply product to the recreational market — would also be taxed for each ounce of flower, or “trim” they produced.

 

Through these combined taxes, the state anticipates $14.3 million in gross revenue by the end of fiscal year 2020.

 

Twenty-five percent of that gross would be split among various state agencies and departments. For instance, the state Department of Health will get money for public-awareness campaigns and product testing, the Department of Public Safety for additional law enforcement, and the Department of Business Regulation to control distribution.

 

Another 15 percent of the gross would be split among all of Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns — whether they host retail stores or not.

 

Those communities that choose to have stores would get more of that split than those that don’t.

 

The final 60 percent of gross revenue would go into the state’s general fund.

 

Once all expenses are paid, the state anticipates a net profit of $6.5 million at the end of the first year, said Kevin Gallagher, Raimondo’s deputy chief of staff.