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California’s Cannabis Tax Hike Is a Death Blow to the Legal Market

The Golden State just made it harder for cannabis businesses to survive — again. Here’s why this 26% tax hike is a gift to the illicit market.

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On July 1, 2025, the state’s cannabis excise tax will rise from 15% to 19% — a staggering 26% increase — marking the maximum rate allowed under current state law. This decision, mandated by a revenue trigger in a 2022 law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, reflects the grim reality: California’s legal cannabis industry is in free fall.

In a city packed with dispensaries, The Travel Agency  isn’t just selling weed—it’s curating wonder. And with its latest destination at 598 Broadway, right in the heart of SoHo, the brand doubles down on its mission to elevate cannabis retail into an immersive, sensory, and cultural experience.

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On Tuesday, in a razor-thin 102-101 vote, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives advanced House Bill 1200, a cannabis legalization proposal with a twist: sales would flow through state-run stores, mimicking the Commonwealth’s alcohol distribution system. If passed, Pennsylvania would become the first state in the U.S. to fully legalize marijuana and control its retail sales through a government-run operation..

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An honest letter to new age psychedelic culture. We’re outshining the fire — and losing our way in the process.