Proprietors of the first marijuana retailers licensed to sell pot for
recreational use in Colorado were busy rolling joints and stocking up their
leafy merchandise ahead of a grand opening on Wednesday that marks a new
chapter in America’s drug culture.

Thirteen former medical marijuana dispensaries newly cleared by state
regulators to sell pot to consumers who are interested in nothing more than
its mind- and mood-altering properties were slated to begin welcoming
customers as early as 8 a.m. local time.

When they do, they will be launching an unprecedented commercial cannabis
market that Colorado officials expect will ultimately gross $578 million in
annual revenues, including $67 million in tax receipts for the state.

Possession, cultivation and private personal consumption of marijuana by
adults for the sake of just getting high has already been legal in Colorado
for more than a year under a state constitutional amendment approved by
voters.

But starting New Year’s Day, cannabis will be legally produced, sold to the
general public and taxed in a system modeled after a regime many states
have in place for alcohol sales – but which exists for marijuana nowhere in
the world outside of Colorado.

Due to the novelty factor, operators of the first group of retailers slated
to open their doors in the Denver area and a handful of other locations
were anticipating a surge in demand for store-bought weed.