In altitude and attitude, Colorado is living up to its image of \u201cRocky Mountain High,\u201d becoming the world\u2019s first fully legal recreational marijuana \u201cindustry\u201d on January 1.\u00a0 But what exactly does legalization entail and what impact will it have on Colorado?<\/p>\n
Thousands waited in line for hours to be a part of opening-day history on New Year\u2019s Day when Colorado became the first state to sell marijuana legally for recreational use. Other countries allow you to buy weed online canada<\/a> and now Colorado will join them. With marijuana being so popular, it’s no surprise you can buy weed online. \u00a0Sales the first day alone exceeded one million dollars, and sales continue to be brisk.\u00a0 As CNN reported<\/a>, \u201cNow, Colorado\u2019s historic legalization policy is being touted as a springboard for the other states.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Colorado and Washington state approved the sale of recreational marijuana in 2012, but Colorado made history by becoming the first to sell pot under new regulations established by both state and local governments.\u00a0\u00a0 Colorado Amendment 64 requires state officials to regulate marijuana like alcohol.<\/p>\n So how does the new regulation work?\u00a0 According to Colorado.gov<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>anyone 21 years of age or older can purchase marijuana, but only Colorado residents can purchase one ounce of weed while out-of-staters are limited to one quarter of an ounce. \u00a0Only licensed retail marijuana stores may sell recreational pot.\u00a0 Currently nine cities and seven counties in Colorado allow retail marijuana sales and, as of January 1, the state had already approved 348 marijuana business licenses, with additional licenses pending.<\/p>\n Resale is prohibited, but sharing is allowed as long as it’s less than an ounce and no money is exchanged.<\/p>\n In addition, there is a distinction made between retail and medical marijuana.\u00a0 Medical marijuana still requires a state red card, which only Colorado residents may obtain by providing proof from a doctor that they suffer from a debilitating medical condition which would benefit from medical marijuana.\u00a0 Medical marijuana patients may procure medical marijuana from a licensed center, their primary physician, or grow it themselves.\u00a0You could also look at an alternative like CBD, there are many different kinds that you could pick from, for example, you check out something like Pure Green Living – CBD Reviews<\/a>, as this can show you what else is on offer. (Information provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment<\/a>).<\/p>\n Under Amendment 64, the use of retail marijuana is intended for private, personal use and cannot be consumed or smoked openly in public, including such locations as bars and restaurants.\u00a0 In addition, marijuana may not be smoked or consumed on any type of public transportation (buses, trains, taxis, planes).\u00a0 One exception, however, is that retail marijuana may be smoked inside a \u201csmoker-friendly\u201d hotel room when said hotel allows marijuana smoking in their smoking rooms.<\/p>\n Anyone found in violation of the new marijuana regulations will face penalties ranging from fines to possible jail\/prison sentences.\u00a0 The Colorado State Statutes<\/a> detail the specific penalties for the various types of violations.\u00a0 In addition, \u201cschools, universities and employers are allowed to put in place their own disciplinary actions for marijuana-related infractions.\u201d<\/p>\n Driving under the influence of marijuana is a major concern and will be dealt with similarly to driving under the influence of alcohol.\u00a0 While marijuana may be carried in vehicles in a closed container, it is illegal to cross state lines with it as well as smoke or consume it while in the vehicle.\u00a0 Driving under the influence of marijuana can result in a DUI.\u00a0 The legal limit is 5 nanograms THC per millileter in whole blood (CRS 42-4-1301).\u00a0 Colorado drivers may refuse the blood test, but doing so risks stronger penalties than a DUI according to Colorado State Patrol Public Information Officer Josh Lewis<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cA person who refuses to cooperate with the expressed consent blood test will automatically have their license revoked for a year. Obviously, every situation is different\u2014it comes down to DAs and judges, but ultimately that person’s license will be revoked on the spot for a year no questions asked versus if they were compliant and came back positive for marijuana or something they can actually get it back within a few months\u2014much sooner than if they had refused,\u201d said Lewis.<\/p>\n Each of the cities and counties where retail marijuana sales are allowed will have their own sale and consumption laws.\u00a0 Consumers are advised to check the particular municipality\u2019s or county\u2019s website for complete regulations.<\/p>\n Because Colorado has no statewide pricing structure in place, dispensaries may charge whatever they desire. <\/em>This situation has led to price gouging.\u00a0 \u201c<\/em>According to the Associated Press<\/a>, <\/em>one Denver dispensary was selling high-quality marijuana on Wednesday (January 1) at $70 for one-eighth of an ounce\u2013a markup from $25 for the same amount the day before.\u201d\u00a0 But a study conducted in Fort Collins at Colorado State University<\/a> last April \u201cpredicted that the retail price of an ounce of weed would eventually settle at around $185.\u201d<\/p>\n Because of increased costs and price gouging, Colorado stands to benefit greatly economically.\u00a0 Retail marijuana is being taxed heavily, with a 10 percent tax per sale and a 15 percent excise tax based on the average market price.\u00a0 KUSA-TV reported that \u201cthe state won\u2019t have the first round of receipts until late February, but it seems clear demand is strong.\u201d\u00a0 Colorado is projecting at least $67 million in annual marijuana tax revenue, and much of that money will be spent on improving roads, bridges, and other infrastructures.<\/p>\n While the state stands to benefit economically, not everyone is happy about the new regulations.\u00a0 Many Coloradans are concerned about \u201chemp hunters\u201d or pot tourists flooding the state, fearing Colorado will become like Amsterdam.\u00a0 As comedian Jimmy Kimmel joked recently, \u201c<\/em>The new state slogan is \u2018Come for the legal marijuana, stay because you forgot to leave.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n And <\/em>KUSA-9NEWS reported<\/a> <\/em>that \u201canother implication of Colorado\u2019s brave new world of legal marijuana is affecting apartment renters.\u201d\u00a0 A growing number of tenants are \u201cfed up with their neighbors\u2019 smoke habits.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s been a steady stream of phone calls from our clients,\u201d said attorney Vic Sulzer, who represents the Apartment Association of Colorado.\u00a0 Sulzer says that in spite of Amendment 64, landlords \u201c\u2026still have the power to decide whether they allow their tenants to smoke pot. Much of that say-so is dependent on the rental agreement.\u201d\u00a0 He added that \u201cmost leases operate under a federal law and drug-free addendum, which considers marijuana an illegal and controlled substance.\u201d\u00a0 His advice?\u00a0 Ask the landlord, not the lawmakers.<\/p>\n It remains to be seen what the long-term effects of pot will be in Colorado.\u00a0 For now, humor<\/a> seems to sum it up best.\u00a0 \u201cColorado marijuana sales reported to be three times as high as they were before legalization, which is also true of the customers.\u201d<\/p>\n