RE:RE:RE:No tax for illegal operators You got me, SCQuin. I'm a sucker for a loaded question, I guess.
Honestly, I can't think of any other legal product that is taxed at the point of production (excise tax) then taxed through transportation & delivery channels (GST) & Provincial sur-charges and then again at the point of sale by means of a Provincial Sales Tax or Sin Tax or some other contemporaneous BS hierarchical cash grab that combine to crush any legitimate business attempting to engage in the production and sale of said legal product.
Total taxation of 55% or greater on any 'legal' product is egregious at best and should be deemed illegal or potentially even a criminal conspiracy in and of itself in my humble opinion.
As I believe you have stated before, the current tax regime applied to Cannabis has a de-facto effect of rendering a 'legal' product illegitimate by method of rendering it absolutely unprofitable.
Should one wish to argue that Cannabis poses a health risk I would counter that, 'Even the sale of Firearms and Ammunition aren't as burdened by taxation.'
If it serves as any consolation, take heart in knowing Cannabis is not alone. As I understand it, Taxes on Alchohol are set to increase across Canada in March and it seems Tobacco gets hit every time a legislative session at any level takes place.
Poor buggahs.
cheers