Colorado residents rang in the New Year in a new way, as the state became the first to start selling marijuana legally for recreational use on January first. About 34 stores were mobbed as customers came from miles around to be some of the first to legally purchase their first batch of marijuana from specialized stores. Altogether, the stores netted over one million dollars in the first day.
Huge Step toward Legalization
Marijuana activists across the nation rejoiced as they saw years of petitions and protests pay off in dollars and cents. The first day sales exceeded all expectations as thousands of customers stood in line to have their shot at purchasing the legal weed. The stores opened at 8am on Wednesday, and customers watched the clock as they waited to make their ceremonial first purchases. Reporters and observers noted the peacefulness and diversity of the crowd waiting to make their purchases. For years, advocates of marijuana legalization have spoken of the untapped potential of the taxes that could be made off of legal marijuana sales, and at this early stage it seems that the projections were correct.
Regulations on Marijuana
Marijuana use and sale is still illegal on a federal level, but the federal government has decided to allow the states of Colorado and Washington to proceed with legalization as long as the states levy regulations similar to those on alcohol. Purchasers must be 21 years of age and are only able to purchase one ounce of marijuana at a time if they are residents, one quarter ounce if they are from out of state. Similar proceedings are expected to be implemented later on this year in Washington. Excited patrons proclaimed “Happy New Year!” as they exited with their purchases.