In 1860, British Colonial India created the earliest known marijuana taxes –imposed by weight, at the rate of one Rupee (11.66 grams of .917 silver) per seer (.933105 kilogram) on raw plant material called “ganja.” With silver around $40 an ounce now, 11 grams are worth about $20. So around $8 a pound. (Differential rates for bhang and various types of ganja came later). They were supplemented by fees for retail licenses, sold by auction. Most leases lasted one year; some lasted three.
The Center for New Revenue 