Recreational marijuana begin today in Colorado. A lot of the retailers are optimistic about the out of town “pot tourists.”
According to NBC News Colorado is extending Highlife Tours. They have bus tours, private and public limos that embark on marijuana centered excursions.
The company owner Timothy Vee says that, “It will be like a Napa Valley wine tour.”
18 retail marijuana stores will open their doors today for business and another two dozen are likely to open this year after they receive their licenses.
The Irish Independent reports that these stores will be open as early as 8 am today. Colorado officials expect to see a large return from the opening of the businesses today.
This year alone officials plan to gross $578 million and $67 million in state tax receipts. Marijuana has been legal in the state for a little more than a year now, but starting with the New Year it will be legal to mass produce, sell, and tax the product.
Robin Hackett, age 51, co-owner of Botana Care [a marijuana retailer], says that she expects to see between 800 and 1,000 customers today. “We expect to have 2,000 joints ready when we open,” said Hackett.
They have limited sales to quarter ounces Wednesday so that they do not run out of product, according to Hackett. This includes pot pastries, joints and raw buds.
This is certainly a new chapter in America’s drug culture. Thousands in the U.S. will plan a vacation to Colorado just to experience it this year.