Anchorage marijuana tax revenue sees jump in February

Anchorage marijuana tax revenue jumped to roughly $37,000 in February, a city official said Wednesday.

Seven marijuana shops were open in February, according to Blyss Cruz, a manager in Anchorage's Treasury Division.

In January, the first full month of tax revenue, four marijuana shops generated $22,000 in tax revenue.

A marijuana sales tax of 5 percent was approved by Anchorage voters in April 2016. The tax is separate from the state excise tax of $50 per ounce of marijuana bud and $15 per ounce for other parts of the plant, which the grower pays to the state treasury.

State and local taxes are paid at the end of the following month, so January taxes were due at the end of February.

Eight stores are now open in Anchorage.