Colorado: The Mile High State for More than One Reason

By Chad Anthony on January 18, 2014

Weed, pot, the sticky icky.  Call it what you wish, but marijuana is the 3rd most popular drug of choice in the United States to date, behind alcohol and tobacco.  

The Drug Enforcement Agency, or DEA, classifies “dangerous” substances on a 1-5 scale based on the danger associated with becoming addicted or abuse of the substances.  The following breakdown includes definitions to each category along with their subsequent drugs.

Schedule 1: No currently accepted medical use with a high possibility for abuse.  These are the most dangerous drugs of all the schedules with potential psychological/physical dependence.
Ex. Heroin, peyote, ecstasy, marijuana

Schedule 2:  A high potential for abuse, less so than schedule 1, with usage leading to severe psychological/physical dependence.  Drugs within this category are considered dangerous.
Ex. Cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, Adderall, Oxycodone, Ritalin

Schedule 3: A moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.
Ex. Products with <15 mg of Vicodin, with <90 mg of codeine, anabolic steroids, testosterone, ketamine

Schedule 4: A low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence.
Ex. Xanax, Darvocet, Valium, Ambien

Schedule 5:  A lower potential for abuse. These substances contain limited quantities of would-be dangerous narcotics.
Ex. Cough preparations with <200 mg of codeine, Lomotil, Lyrica

Image from Csindy.com

Voters in Colorado approved the sale of retail “bud” with a 55% majority vote on Amendment 64, legalizing pot for leisure.  Individuals who voted are on record stating the prohibition of marijuana is “more harmful than good and wastes resources.”  Amendment 64 alone would have saved the state $12 million in 2012 according to Colorado Center on Law and Policy.

Have questions, reader?  Hopefully, the following will answer your giddy inquiries.

Q. Alright, marijuana is legal.  Anything else I should know before getting my hands on the substance?
A.  A Colorado resident 21 or older can purchase up to an ounce of weed.  Individuals outside the state can buy a quarter.  Prices range from $150-250 per half ounce and upwards of $400-600 for an ounce.

Q. Why is buying retail better than black market?
A. You’ll be supporting your local legal economy and that should be reason enough; however, with retail pot, each strain has been inspected, tested, and properly grown to ensure a quality product.  Need help going to sleep at night?  Want to relax after work?  ”Budtenders,” or retail marijuana salesmen, can offer suggestions as to which strain would best be suited for your wants.

Q. Won’t my back-alley dealer be less expensive, though?
A. In some cases, maybe.  Retail marijuana is currently being taxed by the state between 21.9-25%, not including the 2.5-3.5% state sales tax.  At Bud Med, an eighth – 3.5 oz – was selling for around $55, roughly the same price as the same amount on the black market.  In certain areas, additional taxes are added on.

Q. Wait, did you just say 25% in addition to a 3% sales tax?  Screw that.  
A. Yes, the extra tax is relatively high (slight pun intended); however, part of the  revenue from retail marijuana is going back to the state.  The Legislative Council of the Colorado General Assembly foresees $578 million – in wholesale and retail sales – to yield $67 million in tax revenue.  Wholesale transactions at a 15% tax will finance educational construction.  Also, keep in mind this is the first month of retail store opening.  As more stores roll out the green carpet for customers the price of retail marijuana will go down.  Expect the tax to lessen as well.

Q. I’ve heard medical marijuana is immensely cheaper than retail.  How so?
A. Some medical strains are as much as 50% cheaper than the equivalent retail price.  Medical patients will not have to pay as exorbitant of taxes.   Medical marijuana is the same as retail marijuana but used for a specific purpose.  The former still needs to be prescribed by a medical physician.  Medical stores will be separate from retail.  

Image from Google Maps

Q. Where is the best place to buy retail pot in Colorado?
A. Denver.  With roughly 40 stores open, the majority of which – 18 to be exact – are located in “The Mile High City.”  Over 120 retail licenses were issued prior to the January 1 date of initial sale; those shops will open later on in 2014.

Q. Alright, I got my sticky icky in its child-proof container.  Where can I smoke?
A.  Public pot smoking is considered illegal.  As outlined in Colorado’s Clean Indoor Air Act, the law prohibits “smoking in indoor enclosed areas, including places of employment.”  Smoking pot can only occur on private property, with the owner’s consent.  Certain counties and jurisdictions have opted to not allow retail pot stores in their area, Colorado Springs being one.

Q. Who isn’t allowed to smoke marijuana?
A. People 21 and older can grow (up to six plants in an enclosed area), purchase, and smoke marijuana.  Individuals between the ages of 18-21 are able to receive medical scripts from physicians; however, if you are between 18-21 in the possession of or smoking marijuana without being a card holder, you will be issued a fine.  The punishment has been lessened from imprisonment.  If an individual under the age of 18 is caught with marijuana or is smoking the substance, he or she will be detained and sent to a juvenile detainment center for further review.

Image from Google.com


Q. What if I want to educate myself on the effects of marijuana to practice safe usage of the substance?

A. Educational pamphlets can be found at each retail store.

Q. What other uses are there for marijuana? 
A. One of the more popular aspects of marijuana happens to be the part that intoxicates individuals.  Shocking, right?  Marijuana can be utilized in multiple industries.  The cannabis tissue is naturally fibrous, perfect for industrial fibers and ropes.  Derivations of the plant, cannabis seed oil and plant pulp can be implemented in paper and cloth production.

 

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