[Benjamin]

The US state of Colorado is making history by becoming the first to allow stores to sell cannabis.

As many as 30 stores around the state are expected to start selling the drug for recreational purposes from 1 January, dubbed Green Wednesday.

Colorado, along with Washington state, voted to legalise the use and possession of cannabis for people over the age of 21 in November 2012.

Washington is not expected to allow the sale of it until later in 2014.

Colorado and Washington are among 20 states to have approved marijuana use for medical purposes. The drug is still illegal under federal law.

'Who knows?'
Store owners had stocked up, prepared celebrations and hired extra security in preparation for their opening on Green Wednesday.

But one manager admitted he had no idea what to expect.

"It could be crazy. Or it could be crickets out there. Who knows? No-one's ever done this before," said Robin Hackett of BotanaCare in the Denver suburb of Northgleen.

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“
Start Quote

It's almost the worst of both worlds”

Kevin Sabet
Smart Approaches to Marijuana
Burning questions
Under the new law, cannabis will be sold like alcohol. Residents will be able to buy up to one ounce, while those from out of the state can purchase up to a quarter of an ounce.

Cannabis can only be smoked on private premises, with the permission of the owners.

The sale of the drug will be taxed in the same way as alcohol, and state officials have said they expected it to raise millions - the first $40m of which will be used for school construction, The Denver Post reports.

It was not clear exactly how many shops were expected to open on New Year's Day, though around 30 were listed by The Denver Post.

A total of 136 stores have been given licenses to sell marijuana. Most of the shops are based in Denver. Some communities elsewhere in Colorado have exercised their right not to have the stores.

Supporters of legalising cannabis have praised Colorado's move.

Rachel Gillette, of the Colorado branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said the state "has found an exit strategy for the failed drug war and I hope other states will follow our lead".

But critics say it sends the wrong message to the nation's youth and fear it will lead to serious public health and social problems.

"There will still need to be a black market to serve people who are ineligible to buy on a legal market, especially kids," said Kevin Sabet of Smart Approaches to Marijuana. "It's almost the worst of both worlds."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25566863

[Redway]

Hopefully, a similar approach will be adopted over here.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Redway

Hopefully, a similar approach will be adopted over here.

NEVER

Originally Posted by arista

NEVER

It will definitely happen at some point.

[Redway]

Originally Posted by arista

NEVER

You're living in a fantasy bubble if you seriously think that at a time where the availability of this plant is increasing now more than ever, England won't soon by affected. We're in for a law amendment in the next decade or so, I reckon.

[Ramsay]

This is a great day

[arista]

[Laura Mulloy prepares to welcome recreational
customers to the marijuana store in Denver where she works.]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...s-legalisation


This Test market will not work
as drug dealers buy from 2nd buyers

Time will tell

[Z]

Well done Colorado. I hope it goes smoothly and that other states follow suit and that it isn't ruined by morons on either side of the debate. It's the one drug that gets demonised that shouldn't be demonised whatsoever. It's not something I'd do personally but it shouldn't be illegal.

[Livia]

I lived in Colorado. Maybe I'll go back...

[Tom4784]

It's a good move and hopefully other states and countries will follow suit. It's stupid that Alcohol and Tobacco are pretty much legal everywhere but Weed isn't when the former two have killed more people than Weed ever will. There's no reason why it shouldn't be legal.

[swinearefine]

The largest city in my state (Portland, Maine) legalized it a month or two ago, but I think it was reversed. I'm confident Maine as a whole will follow shortly.

[Me. I Am Salman]

Arista [2]

[Me. I Am Salman]

Weed smells absolutely revolting. Also people act really freakish and weird after they smoke cannabis. I don't get why anyone would want more of that on our streets

[swinearefine]

Originally Posted by Salman!

Weed smells absolutely revolting. Also people act really freakish and weird after they smoke cannabis. I don't get why anyone would want more of that on our streets

Weed smells absolutely luscious I remember being a foolish little 14 year old or something like that and saying "I love the smell of the stuff, but I'd never do it."

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by Salman!

Weed smells absolutely revolting. Also people act really freakish and weird after they smoke cannabis. I don't get why anyone would want more of that on our streets

I'd rather encounter a stoned person on the street than a drunk one, the latter is much more likely to be violent than the former.

[Ramsay]

You must be smelling some weird **** salman
it smells s beautiful

[Z]

I don't like the smell of weed but yeah people on cannabis are more likely to be chilled out than violent, which can't be said for drunk people

[Z]

Can't wait for the South Park episode dedicated to this, you just know it's going to happen and be great

[james130]

Good move.
Can only see positives to legalising it.
eg. Tax, less crime...

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Salman!

Weed smells absolutely revolting. Also people act really freakish and weird after they smoke cannabis. I don't get why anyone would want more of that on our streets

[arista]

Originally Posted by Salman!

Weed smells absolutely revolting. Also people act really freakish and weird after they smoke cannabis. I don't get why anyone would want more of that on our streets

In that State they are meant to give
it to those that need it
for medical help,
with Forms written out
but many will pass it on for Cash
to the Drug Dealer from another state.



Sign Of The Times

Originally Posted by arista

In that State they are meant to give
it to those that need it
for medical help,
with Forms written out
but many will pass it on for Cash
to the Drug Dealer from another state.



Sign Of The Times

Drug dealers are not going to be buying legal weed to sell in other states, because once the tax has been added on, then it's a money loser, not a winner.

Drug dealers will continue to grow their own, as it costs relatively little.

[user104658]

My lively other half (a freelance journalist) just researched and wrote an article on this for a local magazine; apparently, it's been widely shown that legalising cannabis actually DECREASES recreational use, especially amongst under-18s. It also allows the drug itself to be regulated for quality ("brick" resin type cannabis is usually gull of all sorts of chemicals) and also regulation of the industry, hindering the funding and furthering of organised crime and hard drugs (many small time drug dealers use it to push things like crack cocaine or heroin, which make them more money).

It's also a far less destructive substance - both to the individual body and to society - than alcohol. So it being banned in the first place is pointless hypocrisy.

On the medicinal front - it's a more effective, less addictive, and LESS HARMFUL painkiller than over-the-counter opiates such as codeine.

I personally don't like the stuff. Tried it several times at University and didn't really like the effects (it just made me feel sleepy, yet restless and unable to sleep, a very irritating combination) but each to their own.

I'd sooner see alcohol prohibited honestly. It causes untold destruction to bodies, lives and towns.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Jesus.

Drug dealers are not going to be buying legal weed to sell in other states, because once the tax has been added on, then it's a money loser, not a winner.

Drug dealers will continue to grow their own, as it costs relatively little.

We will see
soon what goes down

[Samm]

I don't smoke,I'm not getting a terrible illness.