TAX/EXCISE: Levies an excise tax on cannabis and provides for the use of monies derived from the tax (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 636 imposes a 15% excise tax on wholesale cannabis sales in Louisiana, directly affecting licensed cannabis production facilities (the "taxpayers"). The tax applies to specific categories of cannabis - such as buds, leaves, seeds, and wet whole plants - calculated using an annual average market rate based on reported sales. Revenue from this tax is dedicated to unspecified state uses, as outlined in the bill's title. The tax takes effect January 1, 2027, following a 2026 calculation period.