Legalization in Colorado

A little over a week ago on January 1st 2014, Colorado became the first state in America to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Marijuana now can be bought just like alcohol to any person above the age of 21 for all purposes. But now that the drug is being retailed it will need a sale tax like all other goods being sold over the counter. Retail pot will have a 25% state tax plus the usual state sales tax of 2.9% making recreational pot one of the most heavily taxed consumer products in Colorado.The tax revenue is estimated to bring 67 million a year with state officials stating that over 25 million of the revenue will be designated to build schools. Now that recreational marijuana is on the market there is no need for medicinal marijuana right? Wrong, medicinal users will not have to face such harsh taxes like the recreational users so therefore medicinal dispensaries will stay open. Now that it is legal Colorado residents are able to by up to an once at a time with out of state residents being able to buy up to a quarter once. You can also grow your own marijuana now too up to 6 plants is allowed in Colorado homes as long as they are properly inclosed. even though that marijuana is now legalized for recreational purposes you are not allowed to consume it in public areas or even in marijuana dispensaries. You are only permitted to smoke it on private properties with owners consent. What Colorado is doing is revolutionary in the fact of marijuana legalization. Many states will look closely at Colorado's efforts here and if they work out well may even model there legalization tactics off of theirs.

Citation:
"Marijuana Legalization: Long Lines on First Day of Colorado Legal Pot Sales." The Christian Science Monitor. The Christian Science Monitor, 02 Jan. 2014. Web. 20 Jan. 2014.