Oregon Recreational Marijuana Brings $3.5 Million In Tax Revenue

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Oregon officials say they've collected about $3.5 million in taxes from recreational marijuana sales in January.

The 25 percent-tax on recreational pot sales began at the start of 2016 and the state began collecting the taxes from dispensaries last month.

Data released Thursday show the $3.5 million collected came from 253 individual payments. That's fewer than the 309 medical dispensaries statewide that have elected to sell recreational pot.

Officials say it could mean dispensaries are either late with their payments or they simply decided not to sell recreational pot.

An Oregon Department of Revenue spokeswoman says they'll have a better idea of the situation after the dispensaries file their tax returns at the end of the quarter.