hollywoodtone.blogspot.com Marijuana goes on sale in Colorado
hollywoodtone.blogspot.com Marijuana goes on sale in Colorado
Denver - The U.S. state of Colorado has become the first state to allow stores to sell marijuana. As many as 30 stores around the state are expected to start selling the drug for recreational purposes from today.
The commencement of over-the-counter marijuana sales in thirty stores around Colorado has been dubbed 'Green Wednesday', according to the Denver Post. Under the new law, marijuana will be sold like alcohol, with an age and quantity restriction in place. Residents of the state will be able to buy up to one ounce, while those from out of the state can purchase up to a quarter of an ounce. In keeping with liquor, the sale of the drug will be taxed in the same way as alcohol. There will also be tax revenues for the state. Retail marijuana will have a 25% state tax (plus the usual state sales tax of 2.9%). According to CNN, this will make recreational marijuana one of the most heavily taxed consumer products in Colorado. However, marijuana for medical purposes (which requires a doctor's note) will not incur any additional taxes. Once purchased the drug may only be smoked in private homes on the premises, if the owner's agree. News reports suggest that the announcement will lead to 'pot tourism', with more people visiting the area to take advantage of the liberalization. Furthermore, at least three marijuana-themed tourism companies that did not exist a year ago are preparing to welcome their first visitors of 2014. The process of marijuana sales began in November 2012 when Colorado, along with Washington state, voted to legalize the use and possession of marijuana for people over the age of 21. The state has taken the development seriously, according to ABC News. Colorado's government has set up an elaborate plant-tracking system to try to keep the drug away from the black market, and regulators have set up packaging, labeling and testing requirements, along with potency limits for edible marijuana. According to the BBC, the move has divided opinion. Rachel Gillette, of the Colorado branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, has declared that the state "has found an exit strategy for the failed drug war and I hope other states will follow our lead". Whereas, Kevin Sabet of Smart Approaches to Marijuana has said: "There will still need to be a black market to serve people who are ineligible to buy on a legal market, especially kids. It's almost the worst of both worlds."
hollywoodtone.blogspot.com Marijuana goes on sale in Colorado