The Columbian / Associated Press

Recreational marijuana sales outpace tax registrations

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Nearly a fourth of Oregon’s medical marijuana dispensaries selling the drug recreationally are not registered to pay taxes on those sales.

The Register-Guard reports dispensaries have until Feb. 29 to pay a 25 percent sales tax on January recreational marijuana sales.

As of Thursday, 245 out of 320 dispensaries selling recreational pot had set up accounts with the state Department of Revenue.

Oregon Department of Revenue spokeswoman Joy Krawczyk says the department expects an upswing in registrations as the deadline nears.

Many medical marijuana dispensaries are temporarily selling the drug for recreational use. Licenses for those looking to sell recreational marijuana alone will not be issued until the fall.

Tax reminders were mailed to recreational marijuana dispensaries about a month ago.