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California has now allowed retail sales of marijuana for three weeks, and people both inside and outside the industry are eagerly watching to see how it might affect Colorado’s market. Will it cut down on sales in this state? Will it cut down on this state’s overall growth? And would that be a bad thing…or a good thing?
Says Rafael:
Well, good. More weed for me and less traffic.
Notes Chuck:
Colorado is lucky they got a four-year headstart on the recreational market because they are about to lose marijuana tourism. There are more people that want to visit Las Vegas and Los Angeles and San Diego and San Francisco for an herb vacation then Denver Colorado or Vail….Since 2007, Colorado has been propped up by a very strong marijuana market. Recreational, and medical before it.
Responds Sean:
Our economy is not based solely upon pot tourism. The growth we’ve experienced in the last 10 years is only marginally connected to marijuana.
Adds Paul:
Pot brings in what amounts to a drop in the bucket or our state budget. Weed tourism will still do well since our tourism industry has always been healthy. Our economy was doing well even before medical weed showed up.
Concludes Larry:
We need to start doing PSA pieces to inform frozen young potheads about the warmer alternative that is Cali.
Keep reading for more of our coverage.
Jacqueline Collins
“Move Over, Colorado: California Opens for Retail Sales”
Westword archives
“Colorado Led the Way: Who’ll Join the Legal Pot Club in 2018?”
Kate McKee Simmons
“Just 12 Percent of Colorado Tourists Use Marijuana”
Jonas Foyn Therkelsen
“John Hickenlooper Heads to California to Discuss Colorado’s Marijuana Legislation”
According to USA Today, about ninety retail stores opened in California on January 1, about four times as many as opened in Colorado on January 1, 2014. Although Denver is known for having more dispensaries than Starbucks, the number of pot shops we have will pale in comparison to the number that will ultimately open in major metro areas in California, such as Los Angeles and the Bay Area.
Most of Colorado’s major cities – Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs – had already decided whether or not to allow retail pot sales by the time January 1, 2014, rolled around; a majority of them already had medical dispensaries. California is moving slower with vertical integration, but it will be massive when completed.
What do you think of the rollout in California? How will Colorado be affected? Post a comment or share your thoughts at marijuana@westword.com.