News Department

Bill to assist cannabis businesses passes committee

NEW JERSEY – In an effort to support the growth of cannabis businesses, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee recently advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Troy Singleton and Senator Shirley K. Turner which would exclude the corporate business tax and the S corporation income under the gross income tax from the federal income tax provision that prohibits deductions and credits for cannabis businesses.

“We have seen here in New Jersey, and around the country, that legal cannabis businesses tend to lack diversity both in gender and race amongst its ownership ranks. This proposal would aim to level the playing field for all cannabis businesses,” said Singleton (D-Burlington). “It would ensure that dispensaries are paying a fair amount of taxes by taking into account critical business expenditures and allowing these deductions from their income.”

Under the bill, S-340, a cannabis business subject to the corporation business tax would be allowed to deduct from income all ordinary and necessary business expenses associated with managing a licensed cannabis business, including the opportunity to qualify for research and development deductions.

The deduction would also be allowed when calculating the S corporation income of cannabis business corporations, and would continue to be allowed for other forms of business income under the gross income tax regardless of gross revenue.

“New Jersey’s cannabis industry is still in its infancy, and we need to act early to provide equal opportunity for all businesses to succeed,” said Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). “Supporting dispensaries while promoting diversity within the cannabis industry is better for our local economy and also helps to ensure that the profits from recreational cannabis are being funneled back into the communities that need it most.”

Under the State’s corporation business tax, and for S corporation income, the starting point for calculating income that is taxable is that which is taxable under the federal income tax.

Federal law prohibits deductions and credits for businesses trafficking in federally defined schedule I and II controlled substances, which includes cannabis. Deductions for business expenses are therefore not available to cannabis businesses, which results in a higher federal income tax liability than other businesses with similar amounts of income.

The bill passed committee by a vote of 9-0.

Jay Edwards

Born and raised in Northwest NJ, Jay has a degree in Communications and has had a life-long interest in local radio and various styles of music. Jay has held numerous jobs over the years such as stunt car driver, bartender, voice-over artist, traffic reporter (award winning), NY Yankee maintenance crewmember and peanut farm worker. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. Jay has been a guest on America’s Morning Headquarters,program on The Weather Channel, and was interviewed by Sam Champion.

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