PROHIBITION ENDS IN COLORADO!: Recreational Weed Sales Brisk in Denver [View all]

[Jesus Malverde]

Source: SFGate

The home of America’s first pot arrest is also the home of its first licensed recreational sales, as dozens of medical and recreational fans of cannabis who wanted to be part of history lined up in the freezing Denver dawn this morning to purchase the first legal bags of pot sold in America since before 1937.

“I’m really excited. It’s awesome, this is a major moment in American history,” said 34 year-old Adam Hartle of Jacksonville, FL., who was first in line at 3-D Cannabis in Denver.

The New Year marks the beginning of state-regulated sales of marijuana to any adult over 21 with proof of age, the latest development since Colorado voters legalized cannabis in November 2012. Some $600 million in retail pot sales are expected in the first year, with $67 million in taxes flowing to Colorado schools and public health.

Clad in beanies, hoodies, coats, jeans and gloves, customer began signing up in line at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at 3-D Cannabis Center. The former medical marijuana dispensary is one of 18 Denver businesses officially cleared to open by Jan. 1. Doors opened at 8 a.m. with limits of two eighth-ounces per visit, each of which retails for $35-$50 plus 21.22% tax.

The first sale at 3-D Cannabis went to Sean Azzariti, a Denver-based Iraq war veteran treating post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). Azzariti said full legalization benefits those suffering from PTSD — a condition not covered under Colorado’s medical marijuana law despite repeated efforts to add it.

Read more: http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2014/01/01/prohibition-ends-in-colorado-recreational-weed-sales-brisk-in-denver/

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POT FACTS

Samuel R. Caldwell is reportedly the first American ever arrested in the war on pot on Oct. 2, 1937. He was arrested in Denver, Colorado and served three years hard labor.

26 million people are estimated to have been arrested for pot since then.

In 2012, 5.4 million persons aged 12 or older used marijuana on a daily or almost daily basis in the past 12 months (i.e., on 300 or more days in that period), which was an increase from the 3.1 million daily or almost daily marijuana users in 2006 (Figure 2.15). – NSDUH

Roughly 75 percent of teens report marijuana is easy to get and that has been true in the US for several decades.

750,000 people are arrested for marijuana each year.

One day we'll live free and no longer in fear. Fear of losing jobs, fear of being raided, your dogs shot, your children kidnapped by the state. Your land stolen, and maybe even your life lost. Fear no more, the times are a changing.