Watch CBS News

Success Of Recreational Pot Shops Varies 1 Year Later

DENVER (CBS4) - It has almost been one year since the first recreational marijuana shops opened in Colorado, and depending on who is asked, there have been positives and negatives.

At Sticky Buds in Denver manager Stephen Burns still regularly sees lines out the door of his South Broadway store -- crowds reminiscent of turnout Jan. 1 -- the day Colorado made recreational pot sales legal.

"A lot of people are opening up about it, you know they see the health benefits," Burns said.

In the first 9 months of the year the state took in more than $43 million in taxes from 800 retailers, and made the testing of marijuana products mandatory.

"What the success does show is that a state could do this and the sky doesn't fall, that society doesn't fall apart or go into crisis," said John Hudak, a Brookings Institution analyst.

There were pot pitfalls. In March a college student jumped to his death from a hotel balcony after eating pot-infused cookies. A month later a man allegedly shot and killed his wife after ingesting marijuana edibles.

For the people who staked money on pot's success, their investments seem to be paying off with the industry headed places even they hadn't dreamed.

"They're looking for the best deals they can get, coupon clippers, that type of thing," Burns said.

Four states and the District of Columbia have approved pot for recreational use, and more than 30 states now allow sales for some form of medical use.

More Marijuana Legalization Stories

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.