Cannabis Company Owes Oregon $27M in Back Taxes; Largest Sum in State

A Medford, Oregon cannabis company owes the state more than $27 million in back taxes, the Salem Statesman Journal reports. The sum owed by American Patriot Brands represents the largest back-taxes total owed to the state.  

The state this month published a list of people and companies that owe the state more than $50,000 in back taxes, following the approval of a 2019 law allowing the list to be made public with the goal of increasing revenue collections. The list’s publication was delayed during the coronavirus pandemic as officials recognized the financial hardship some taxpayers faced. 

Notably, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued fraud charges in March against American Patriot Brands, its CEO, and five others for allegedly funneling investor funds into personal accounts and expenses.

Other cannabis companies on the list include: 

• CannaKing Marijuana Dispensaries: $319,622 
• Medical Marijuana Card Services and five other entities owned by Dana L. Weihman: $166,010 
• Marijuana Paradise: $61,214 
• Duzon Enterprises: $1,377,046 
• Sweet Leaf Cannabis LLC and five other companies owned by Jeremy Wheeler: $829,601 
• SC Holdings LLC and nine other companies owned by Man M. Vu: $691,806 
• South Lake Retail LLC, owners of Crush Cannabis and Gorgeous Green Retail LLC: $561,618 
• Elite Integrated LLC, owners of Canna Beach Junction, and Cannabis Corner: $272,608 
• Patrick B. Maher owner of Canna Beach Junction and Cannabis Corner: $265,299 
• Rooted Coast Cannabis LLC: $258,394 
• 4.0 Belmont LLC, owners of 41st & Belmont, LLC, and Tetra Cannabis: $149,257 
• Peou Sea LLC, owners of Brothers Cannabis: $132,489 
• Singing Sands Cannabis Company LLC: $118, 395 
• ACNM LLC, owners of Phresh Cannabis: $102,267 
• Bert E. Gold, owner of Hightide and Oregon Cannabis Co-Op: $62,742  
• Cascade Cannabis Distributing LLC: $70,586  
• Austin, Texas-based Jacquelyn Mangione, Gras Cannabis: $82,109 
• Arlington, Texas-based Oluwaseun B. Adedeji/Elev8 Cannabis LLC: $70,597/$67,586 

In May, Gov. Tina Kotek (D) directed the Department of Revenue and the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission to withhold licenses and renewal of licenses from cannabis businesses delinquent on taxes in an effort to improve tax compliance in the industry.