As another marijuana club opened its doors at 4:20 pm last week in Colorado, debate continues on just how to \u201cregulate weed like alcohol\u201d in the state.<\/p>\n
This past November, Colorado and Washington became the first states in the nation to legalize recreational marijuana.\u00a0 In Colorado, Amendment 64<\/a> makes it legal for adults 21 and over to light up in private as well as possess up to one ounce of marijuana.\u00a0 Additionally, individual residents may legally grow up to six pot plants for personal use.\u00a0 But the decriminalization of marijuana has raised some tough questions and concerns regarding regulation.<\/p>\n One of the toughest questions facing regulators includes whether to limit legal marijuana rights to residents only.\u00a0 \u00a0Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and some members of the panel studying future regulation of marijuana have currently recommended denying rights to nonresidents.\u00a0 Their recommendation is based on Colorado\u2019s current medical marijuana system, which requires a person be 21 years of age and a legal resident of the state for two years.\u00a0 Others on the task force aren\u2019t sure this is a good idea, however, citing potential loss of tax dollars and enforcement as two reasons to not limit sales of recreational pot to residents only.<\/p>\n Arguments can be made in both directions.\u00a0 Tourism is huge in Colorado, with millions of visitors spending millions of dollars every year in the state.\u00a0 Would allowing these visitors to purchase and\/or use marijuana be a detriment or a plus?<\/p>\n Some people are concerned about Colorado\u2019s image.\u00a0 They don\u2019t want the state to be known as a haven for marijuana, and are concerned that allowing nonresidents to purchase and use marijuana might change the types of visitors Colorado attracts, opening a gateway for other types of drug users and increasing crime.\u00a0\u00a0 Others are concerned that it could potentially harm the pristine beauty of the state if people started growing marijuana in wilderness areas.<\/p>\n Those in favor of allowing nonresidents the same rights as residents cite the economic advantages both at city and state levels.\u00a0 They also point out the difficulties involved in enforcing such a law.<\/p>\n There are other tough issues to tackle in deciding how to regulate marijuana in the state of Colorado as well.\u00a0 Should the state impose limits on the potency and growing standards for pot, and what about commercialization and advertising?\u00a0 How do regulators restrict minors from purchasing and using pot?\u00a0 These are all tough questions facing legislators, and with a deadline of the end of February quickly approaching, there is little time to tackle these issues.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Club 64, which is like a bar or nightclub without an actual location, opened last week,<\/a> charging \u201cmembers\u201d $29.99 to light up with other smokers at the \u201cbring your own bud club.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Although \u201cClub 64 wasn\u2019t the first legal club for recreational marijuana users, according to The Denver Post,\u201d it does allow communal indoor smoking.\u00a0 Attorney Rob Corry, an expert in Colorado cannabis law, says the \u201cindoor smoking is legal because it is not in public view and the clubs sell no marijuana, food, or drinks.\u201d\u00a0 He also added that \u201cThey do give away sodas as well as Cheetos and Goldfish crackers,\u201d jokingly referring to comments made by Governor Hickenlooper that \u201cfederal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug, so don\u2019t break out the Cheetos or Goldfish too quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n Corry says the club is \u201cjust a place for adults to exercise their constitutional rights together.\u00a0 We\u2019re not selling pot here.\u201d<\/p>\n It will be interesting to see how regulation of marijuana in Colorado proceeds.\u00a0 Will the new bill go up in smoke, or will Colorado be a pioneer in the legalization of recreational marijuana?\u00a0 Will the federal government get involved?<\/p>\n