CBX Daily 4/17/2025

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CultureBanx Team
April 17, 2025

Today, Apple is fuelling the AI drive, but let’s start with how weed taxes are making the U.S. economy thrive…

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High Returns: How State Weed Taxes Are Generating Billions  

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Colorado became one of the first states to legalize recreational use of marijuana. As of 2024, the pioneering state has collected $2 billion in tax revenue, but it isn’t the only state where tax revenue from marijuana sales has seen large figures. California reportedly brings in more than $1 billion per year, with Washington and Illinois narrowly behind it at $457 million and $454 million in marijuana tax revenue annually. Exactly what do these states do with all that revenue? 

Apple Fights Tariff Wars With A $500 Billion AI Investment                       

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Apple (AAPL +0.72%) is making a historic $500 billion investment to establish a large-scale AI server factory in Houston, Texas, while also funding silicon manufacturing in Arizona and an engineering academy in Michigan. This investment will generate 20,000 high-paying jobs in AI, machine learning, and research, solidifying Apple’s commitment to American innovation. The Houston facility, set to open in 2026, will play a crucial role in powering Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI initiative. This expansion comes at a time when former President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China are creating economic uncertainty, pushing Apple to prioritize domestic manufacturing. 

Why Are U.S. Taxes Still In A Sunken Place?                     

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t's tax day folks and the process of preparing them can be difficult if not arduous, especially for more than 14 million taxpayers who ​​paid for tax prep software that they could have gotten for free. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration found roughly a billion dollars in revenue for TurboTax maker Intuit, H&R Block and other tax software companies, according to ProPublica. Over 40% of Black Americans make less than $40,000 per year, putting them at an income disadvantage if taxes are not filed correctly, as tax policy adds insult to injury by magnifying the financial toll, and keeping Black people in a sunken tax place. 

Tune-in Tuesdays!

Trump freezes $2B in Harvard funding after university rejects his demands which include changes in hiring, admissions and teaching. Is this a necessary check on elite influence, or an overreach that could harm academic independence?

A. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Taylor Swift – The funding freeze could be the final straw in a long-brewing breakup between elite universities and political leadership, signaling a deep and possibly irreversible divide
B. "Don’t Blink" by Kenny Chesney – Harvard’s rejection and Trump’s retaliation are symptoms of a larger disconnect between academia and government—neither side is willing to bend, and that friction could have lasting consequences
C. "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar – Harvard’s defiance reflects a deeper cultural and political tension, where elite institutions are standing their ground amid rising pressure against exploitation

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A  |  B  |  C

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Last week’s results are in and it’s seems China and the U.S. have ‘No Role Modelz’ on the tariff issue

How Migrant Muscles Are Fueling America's Job Surge                   

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When you think of immigrants, you're probably thinking of the less fortunate, minority, and underrepresented people. It's true; they often face challenges such as language barriers, discrimination, and lack of access to healthcare. However, for the U.S, this is a group that is literally the cornerstone of growth and success, holding their economy together. Birth rates in the U.S have significantly gone down to 2%, leaving employers seeking employees. With the entry of migrant workers, the labor force has seen a boost and is projected to hit 5.2 million people in the next decade. 

Half Of Americans Making $100,000 Are Living Paycheck To Paycheck                 

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Many believe earning a six-figure income means that you have arrived and are at the epitome of success. However, 51% of Americans with $100,000 or more in annual income said they lived paycheck to paycheck, according to the LendingClub and Pymnts.com survey. Although many factors may contribute to this, the effects of inflation are burning holes into the pockets of too many Americans, causing them to live on an earn-and-spend treadmill.  

Vibes of the Week

Weed taxes are the “Blakk Rokkstar” of the state as they generate billions. Ken Carson explains in our CBX Vibes!