2012 Colorado Amendment 64

Referendum legalizing marijuana August 2026 August 2026 Colorado's earlier proposed amendment to state statutes related to marijuana 2006 Colorado Amendment 44 Amendment 64 similarly-named voter referendums Proposition 64 (disambiguation)Proposition 64 Amendment 64 Use and Regulation of Marijuana Colorado November 6, 2012 1,383,140 1,116,894 2,584,719 3,648,008 2012 Colorado Amendment 64 results map by county.svg County results For #B6C8D9 50%-60% #7D9CBB 60%-70% #47729E 70%-80% Against #DEDEBD 50%-60% #BCBC83 60%-70% Election was held: November 6, 2012 Colorado Amendment 64 was a successful popular initiative ballot measure to amend the Constitution of the State of Colorado, outlining a statewide drug policy for cannabis. The measure passed on November 6, 2012, and along with a similar measure in Washington state, marked "an electoral first not only for America but for the world."Ballot Measures: A Liberal Drift https://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21565972-local-votes-suggest-more-tolerant-countrybut-not-more-left-wing-one-liberal-drift 12 November 2012 The Economist 10 November 2012 Enacted as Article 18, section 16 of the state constitution, the law addresses "personal use and regulation of marijuana" for adults 21 and over, as well as commercial cultivation, manufacture, and sale: regulating marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol,Ingold John Colorado marijuana measure's backers, foes buoyed by out-of-state support http://www.denverpost.com/news/marijuana/ci_20828371/out-state-support-buoys-backers-foes-colorado-marijuana 19 June 2012 The Denver Post 11 June 2012 namely for recreational use. Possession and cultivation of marijuana became legal on December 10, 2012, after governor John Hickenlooper issued an executive action adding Amendment 64 to the state constitution.https://kdvr.com/news/governor-signs-amendment-64-marijuana-officially-legal-in-colorado/ Governor signs Amendment 64, marijuana officially legal in Colorado | FOX31 Denver November 30, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201130020423/https://kdvr.com/news/governor-signs-amendment-64-marijuana-officially-legal-in-colorado/ 2020-11-30 The commercial sale of marijuana to the general public began on January 1, 2014, at establishments licensed under the regulatory framework.Colorado Stores Throw Open Their Doors to Pot Buyers 1 January 2014 The New York Times Jack Healy https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/02/us/colorado-stores-throw-open-their-doors-to-pot-buyers.html There are local opt-out provisions so the sale and use of marijuana continues to be subject to restrictions in many jurisdictions. As of April 2017, 176 of Colorado's 272 municipalities had opted to prohibit retail marijuana activity within their boundaries.http://www.cml.org/rmj-action-visual/ Municipal Retail Marijuana Status April 2017 Colorado Municipal League 2018-01-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20180124070721/http://www.cml.org/rmj-action-visual/ 2018-01-24 deadAs of January 2025, there continued to be a patchwork of local and county restrictions.Cannabis Local Opt-Out Provisions in Colorado January 2025 https://weedpedia.org/article/cannabis-local-opt-out-provisions-in-colorado 2026-09-22 Weedpedia en Ballot summary Proposed initiative 2011/12 #30 was submitted on January 4 and found sufficient by the Secretary of State on February 27 to appear on the general ballot for the November election.Gessler Scott Statement of Sufficiency http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/ballot/Statements/2012/SufficiencyProp30.pdf Proposed Initiative 2011–12 #30 Department of State, State of Colorado February 27, 2012 19 June 2012 Personal use Adults 21 or older can grow up to three immature and three mature marijuana plants privately in a locked space, legally possess all marijuana from the plants they grow (as long as it stays where it was grown),Amendment 64: (3).b legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana while traveling,Amendment 64: (3).a and give as a gift up to one ounce to other citizens 21 years of age or older.Amendment 64: (3).a, 64:(3).b, and 64:(3).c Consumption is permitted in a manner similar to alcohol, with equivalent offenses prescribed for driving under the influence.Amendment 64: (1).b-III and 64:(6).b The new legislation does not apply to medical marijuana.Amendment 64: (7) Commercial regulation The legislation defines industrial hemp as any part of the cannabis plant, growing or not, "with a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration that does not exceed three tenths percent (0.3%) on a dry weight basis."Amendment 64: (2).d The amendment declares that industrial hemp should be regulated separately from marijuana with higher THC concentrations, and requires the Colorado General Assembly to "enact legislation governing the cultivation, processing, and sale of industrial hemp" by no later than July 1, 2014.Amendment 64: (1).c and 64:(5).j The amendment provides for licensing of cultivation facilities, product manufacturing facilities, testing facilities, and retail stores.Amendment 64: (4) Local governments can now regulate or prohibit such facilities. This amendment requires the general assembly to enact an excise tax to be levied upon wholesale sales of marijuana, requiring that the first $40 million in revenue raised annually by such tax be credited to the public school capital construction assistance fund, known as the Building Excellent Schools today (B.E.S.T.) program. The B.E.S.T. program assists in renovation, repairs, and new school construction needs for Colorado public schools. B.E.S.T. receives funding from state land tax proceeds, lottery proceeds, interest tax proceeds, and marijuana sales tax proceeds via Amendment 64.https://www.cde.state.co.us/communications/BESTfactsheet Archived copy 2018-04-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20180501160942/https://www.cde.state.co.us/communications/BESTfactsheet 2018-05-01 dead The Colorado Department of Education annual B.E.S.T. reports suggest that Amendment 64 has provided a visible increase in funding to this program. Since implementation of Amendment 64, the Colorado B.E.S.T. program has seen a decrease in overall annual applications numbers, an increase in overall granted applications numbers, and an increase in cash granted amounts since implementation of Amendment 64 in 2014.http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdefinance/ccasummarybookfy17-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20180501093554/http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdefinance/ccasummarybookfy17-18 2018-05-01 , http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdefinance/ccasummarybookfy16-17, http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdefinance/ccasummarybookfy15-16, http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdefinance/ccabestfy14-15summary, http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdefinance/ccabestfy13-14summary Support and opposition The largest survey for the amendment, conducted October 23, 2012 by Public Policy Polling, indicated that 53% of voters intended to support it, with 46% opposed.Obama leads by 4 in Colorado. October 25, 2012. On December 9, 2013, more than a year after the passing of Amendment 64, a Public Policy Polling poll showed that the majority of Coloradans still support legal marijuana. With 53% support versus 38% opposition, the survey of 928 Colorado voters showed little change in support for legal marijuana a year on from the amendment vote.http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2013/PPP_Release_CO_120913.pdf Public Policy Polling Polling Results 9 December 2013 Since the amendment passed there has been concern over its conflict with federal substance prohibition laws.Scott Bomboy http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2012/12/pot-luck-states-push-obama-for-legal-marijuana-ruling/ Pot luck? States push Obama for legal cannabis ruling Blog.constitutioncenter.org 2013-01-05 2013-05-06 The outcome is nevertheless expected to have broad impacts south of the border,http://www.wola.org/commentary/the_will_of_the_voters The Will of the Voters | Washington Office on Latin America Wola.org 2012-11-13 2013-05-06 including in Mexico where less than a week after the U.S. vote Mexican senators submitted a proposal to legalize marijuana in their country.http://mexico.cnn.com/nacional/2012/11/12/el-congreso-mexicano-recibira-iniciativa-para-legalizar-la-marihuana El Congreso mexicano recibe una iniciativa para legalizar la marihuana - Nacional - CNNMéxico.com Mexico.cnn.com 15 November 2012 2013-05-06 Support Though support for liberalizing drug policy has traditionally been considered a liberal or libertarian cause,Miron, J. 2004. Liberal Versus Libertarian Views on Drug Legalization. The New Prohibition: Voices of Dissent Challenge the Drug War. (Sheriff Bill Masters, Ed.).: Accurate Press Amendment 64 garnered a number of high-profile conservative endorsements, including, most notably, an endorsement from former U.S. Representative and 2008 Republican Presidential Candidate Tom Tancredo, who claimed, "Throughout my career in public policy and in public office, I have fought to reform or eliminate wasteful and ineffective government programs. There is no government program or policy I can think of that has failed in such a unique way as marijuana prohibition."http://www.gazette.com/articles/marijuana-144943-prohibition-amendment.html POINT/COUNTERPOINT: Marijuana legalization amendment Gazette.com 2012-09-21 2013-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20130127025724/http://www.gazette.com/articles/marijuana-144943-prohibition-amendment.html 2013-01-27 dead Similarly, Temple Emmanuel's Rabbi, Steven Foster, endorsed Amendment 64 because, "as clergy, we have the responsibility to talk about what policies serve our community best. You do not have to use marijuana—or even approve of marijuana—to see that our current laws are not working."Roberts Michael http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2012/10/marijuana_amendment_64_religious_leaders_endorsement.php Marijuana: Amendment 64 supported, attacked by religious leaders in ongoing endorsement war - Denver - News - The Latest Word Blogs.westword.com 2012-10-17 2013-05-06 2013-05-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20130509135621/http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2012/10/marijuana_amendment_64_religious_leaders_endorsement.php dead Many supporters of Amendment 64 did so because they wanted to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the state's law enforcement resources. Proponents believe that permitting recreational use will allow officers to focus on prevention of violent crime and that it will remove some of the burden on the state's prosecutors and courts.http://www.regulatemarijuana.org/economic-impact Bolster Colorado's Economy | Yes on Amendment 64: The Colorado Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Regulatemarijuana.org 2013-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20130504032524/http://www.regulatemarijuana.org/economic-impact 2013-05-04 dead Other justifications for support include: increasing the state's revenue (much of the additional revenue is required to be used to fund primary education), subjecting otherwise illicit substances to health and safety regulations for the protections of users,Section 16. Personal use and regulation of marijuana. June 3, 2011. enhancing individual freedom, eliminating a black market (black markets tend to result in crime regardless of the goods sold because market participants are already criminals, and therefore have less to lose by committing additional crimes),"Miron, J. 2004. The Economics of Illicit Drugs: Harm from Prohibition versus Harm from Drugs. Economics Uncut: A Complete Guide to Life, Death, and Misadventure. (Simon Bowmaker, Ed.).: Edward Elgar". and providing empirical evidence for studying the effects of legalization to identify whether the harms associated with drugs are actually caused by the policy of prohibition. Yet another argument favoring Amendment 64 is that regulation of marijuana may actually reduce marijuana usage by teens: According to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, the organization responsible for much of the campaigning in support of Amendment 64, marijuana use by teens is likely to go down because commercial access would be limited to persons 21 and older. The campaign also points out that teens who currently seek marijuana have to turn to criminals for their supply and that these criminals may expose teens to other, potentially more dangerous drugs like heroin, meth, or cocaine.http://www.regulatemarijuana.org/regulation-works Regulating Marijuana Works! | Yes on Amendment 64: The Colorado Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Regulatemarijuana.org 2013-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20130504032332/http://www.regulatemarijuana.org/regulation-works 2013-05-04 dead Supporters also point out that Colorado's experience with medical marijuana supports their conclusion:Ferner Matt https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/07/marijuana-usage-down-in-t_n_1865095.html Marijuana Usage Down Among Colorado Teens, Up Nationally: Study Shows Huffingtonpost.com 7 September 2012 2013-05-06 The CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System monitors a number of statistics for America's youth.https://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/index.htm CDC - YRBSS - Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System - Adolescent and School Health Cdc.gov 2013-05-06 The CDC study suggests that marijuana use among Colorado's youths fell by 2.8 percent from 2009 (24.8 percent) to 2011 (22 percent), while the national rate of youth use increased by 2.3 percent from 2009 (20.8 percent) to 2011 (23.1 percent). Furthermore, the CDC found that the availability of drugs on school grounds in Colorado fell 5 percent from 2009 (22.7 percent) to 2011 (17.2 percent), while the national rate increased by 3.1 percent over the same time. Opposition The group "No on 64" objected to Amendment 64 chiefly because it claimed the amendment would lead to increased use of marijuana, a consequence the group considers harmful. In particular, the group sees marijuana as addictive and as damaging to children because they believe it "permanently affects brain development, impairs learning ability and contributes to depression."http://votenoon64.com/SmartColoradoFactSheet.pdf October 24, 2012 Vote No on 64 Fact Sheet dead https://web.archive.org/web/20121030070821/http://votenoon64.com/SmartColoradoFactSheet.pdf October 30, 2012 On October 14, The Denver Post'''s editorial board announced its opposition to Amendment 64. The board began by saying, "We believe possession and use of marijuana should be legal," but ultimately encouraged readers to vote against the amendments because "Drug policy simply has no business being in the state constitution."http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_21760094/editorial-amendment-64-is-wrong-way-legalize-marijuana Editorial: Amendment 64 is the wrong way to legalize marijuana Denver Post October 15, 2012 November 17, 2012 Implementation thumb|260px|Cannabis dispensary in Denver, Colorado The policies took effect when the Governor ratified the ballots, which was to happen within 30 days of the election.Amendment 64: (9) Governor John Hickenlooper officially added the law to the state's constitution on Monday December 10, 2012 making the private consumption of marijuana legal in Colorado. The first stores officially opened on January 1, 2014. Shortly after its passing Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper stated "This will be a complicated process, but we intend to follow through. That said, federal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug, so don't break out the Cheetos or Goldfish too quickly."Blog Post http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/07/14994670-colorado-governor-to-potheads-dont-break-out-the-cheetos?lite Colorado governor to potheads: 'Don't break out the Cheetos' - U.S. News Usnews.nbcnews.com 2013-05-06 On December 10, 2012 Governor Hickenlooper signed Executive Order B 2012-004 to create the Task Force on the Implementation of Amendment 64 to "consider and resolve a number of policy, legal and procedural issues".Gov. Hickenlooper signs Amendment 64 proclamation, creates task force to recommend needed legislative actions December 10, 2012 Governor of Colorado https://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/GovHickenlooper/CBON/1251634887823 February 25, 2013 February 16, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130216050559/http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/GovHickenlooper/CBON/1251634887823 live On March 13, 2013, the task force issued 58 recommendations on how recreational pot should be grown, sold and taxed in the state.Colorado marijuana task force issues 58 recommendations on how pot should be grown, sold and taxed 7 News KMGH-TV Tyler Lopez March 13, 2013 http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/front-range/denver/amendment-64-task-force-issues-58-recommendations-on-how-pot-should-be-grown-sold-and-taxed dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140102194945/http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/front-range/denver/amendment-64-task-force-issues-58-recommendations-on-how-pot-should-be-grown-sold-and-taxed 2014-01-02 On May 28, 2013, Governor Hickenlooper signed several bills into law implementing the task force's recommendations.Six Ways Colorado Will Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Nicole Flatow 28 May 2013 Think Progress http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/05/29/2070641/five-ways-colorado-will-regulate-marijuana-like-alcohol/Gov. Signs Marijuana Bills Into Law 29 May 2013 KKTV AP http://www.kktv.com/news/elections/headlines/Gov-Signs-Marijuana-Bills-Into-Law-209206671.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130921155902/http://www.kktv.com/news/elections/headlines/Gov-Signs-Marijuana-Bills-Into-Law-209206671.html 21 September 2013HB 13-1317 Implement Amendment 64 Majority Recommendation; HB 13-1318 Retail Marijuana Taxes; SB 13-283 Implement Amendment 64 Consensus Recommendations; HB 13-1325 Inferences For Marijuana And Driving Offenses; SB 13-250 Drug Sentencing Changes On September 9, 2013, the Colorado Department of Revenue adopted final regulations for recreational marijuana establishments, implementing the Colorado Retail Marijuana Code (HB 13-1317).Colorado first state in country to finalize rules for recreational pot John Ingold 10 September 2013 The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24062676/colorado-first-state-country-finalize-rules-recreational-pot On September 16, 2013, the Denver City Council adopted an ordinance for retail marijuana establishments.Denver council passes historic retail marijuana rules and regulations Jeremy P. Meyer 17 September 2013 The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24114263/denver-council-passes-historic-retail-marijuana-rules-and These local licensing requirements are in addition to the state licensing requirements. Proposition AA On May 28, 2013 the government also proposed Proposition AA, a 15% excise tax on the "average market rate" and a 10-15% sales tax on retail sales (on top of the 2.9% state sales tax and any local government sales taxes).Legislature approves historic marijuana sales and excise taxes in Colorado David M. Kall 28 May 2013 https://businessadvocate.mcdonaldhopkins.com/community/managing-your-business/multistate-tax/blog/2013/05/28/legislature-approves-historic-marijuana-sales-and-excise-taxes-in-colorado 21 June 2013 12 November 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131112073411/https://businessadvocate.mcdonaldhopkins.com/community/managing-your-business/multistate-tax/blog/2013/05/28/legislature-approves-historic-marijuana-sales-and-excise-taxes-in-colorado dead The Colorado chapter of NORML opposed the measure, supporting the 15% excise tax but opposing the 10% sales tax as unreasonable and unnecessary, arguing that the proposed marijuana taxes could amount to an effective tax rate of 30-40% and would be more than twice the equivalent taxes on alcohol, that there would be adequate funds to effectively regulate recreational marijuana if the measure failed, and that excessive taxation would have the potential effect of keeping a black market alive.Marijuana: Colorado NORML board opposes recreational pot tax measure 13 September 2013 Michael Roberts Westword http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2013/09/marijuana_colorado_norml_recreational_pot_tax.php 19 September 2013 21 September 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130921235135/http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2013/09/marijuana_colorado_norml_recreational_pot_tax.php dead The Denver Post disagreed, citing the insufficiency of licensing fees to previously regulate medical marijuana and rejecting the notion that the taxes would drive pot back to the black market.NORML needs to get on board on Colorado pot taxes The Denver Post Editorial Board 18 September 2013 The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/marijuana/ci_24123095/colorados-marijuana-community-should-back-state-pot-taxes On November 5, Proposition AA was approved by a wide margin, as were similar local taxes such as a 3.5% Denver marijuana sales tax which is on top of the 3.62% Denver sales tax.Denver voters backing 3.5 percent tax on pot Jeremy P. Meyer 5 November 2013 The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24461037/denver-voters-weigh-3-5-percent-marijuana-taxSales Tax Rates Denver Treasury Division 19 September 2013 http://www.denvergov.org/treasury/BusinessTaxInformation/SalesTaxInformation/SalesTaxFrequentlyAskedQuestions/SalesTaxFAQDefinitionRate/tabid/440491/Default.aspx#1 https://web.archive.org/web/20130911080739/http://www.denvergov.org/treasury/BusinessTaxInformation/SalesTaxInformation/SalesTaxFrequentlyAskedQuestions/SalesTaxFAQDefinitionRate/tabid/440491/Default.aspx#1 11 September 2013 dead "Local Option" legal challenge Although Colorado voters approved the constitutional amendment legalizing retail sales of marijuana for recreational purposes, the amendment and enabling legislation also provided that localities could limit or ban retail outlets within a city or unincorporated portion of a county through a "local option". The provisions of Amendment 64 concerning personal use are not affected by the local bans on retail sales, so that growing and possession of small quantities of "personal" pot are legal statewide under state (but not federal) law. Most localities have chosen to ban retail stores, at least temporarily.https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/13/us/colorado-localities-make-own-rules-before-final-decision-on-marijuana-sales.html Colorado Localities Make Own Rules Before Final Decision on Marijuana Sales 13 June 2013 The New York Times A locality may prohibit the operation of marijuana cultivation facilities, marijuana product manufacturing facilities, marijuana testing facilities, or retail marijuana stores through the enactment of an ordinance or through an initiated or referred measure; provided, any initiated or referred measure to prohibit the operation of marijuana cultivation facilities, marijuana product manufacturing facilities, marijuana testing facilities, or retail marijuana stores must appear on a general election ballot during an even numbered year. Amendment 64 Amendment64 https://www.leg.state.co.us/LCS/Initiative%20Referendum/1112initrefr.nsf/c63bddd6b9678de787257799006bd391/cfa3bae60c8b4949872579c7006fa7ee/$FILE/Amendment%2064%20-%20Use%20&%20Regulation%20of%20Marijuana.pdf Amendment 64 - Use and Regulation of Marijuana Colorado Springs and vicinity Colorado Springs is the county seat of El Paso county, the second most populous county in the state. A tiny majority of El Paso county voters approved the statewide Amendment 64 with an original margin of only 10 votes.http://gazette.com/amendment-64-passes-in-el-paso-county/article/147566 Amendment 64 passes in El Paso County Colorado Springs Gazette 2016-04-02 2016-04-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20160420190013/http://gazette.com/amendment-64-passes-in-el-paso-county/article/147566 dead In Colorado Springs the measure won by just 2% favored by only 5,000 out of more than 200,000 ballots cast.http://gazette.com/colorado-springs-election-2015-readers-wants-to-know-stance-on-recreational-marijuana-sales/article/1547102 Colorado Springs Election 2015: Readers wants to know stance on recreational marijuana sales Colorado Springs Gazette March 2015 Relying on the local option clause in the amendment, the city council then voted 5-4 not to permit retail shops in the city. Some council members expressed concern over the effect pot shops would have on existing businesses, as well as on local military bases."Pot may be legal in Colorado, but it can’t be purchased in most large cities," https://web.archive.org/web/20160410150956/http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article25866490.html 2016-04-10 Tacoma News Tribune, 16 March 2016. Current mayor John Suthers, elected in May 2015, supports the ban on pot shops; his opponent in the mayoral election supported recreational pot shops as a way to increase city tax collections. Suthers, a former Colorado Attorney General, has long been an outspoken opponent of legalized marijuana.Thomas E. Cronin and Robert D. Loevy, "John Suthers moves from pot law to potholes," Colorado Springs Gazette, 30 May 2015. Retail marijuana outlets are also banned in unincorporated areas of El Paso County. As of 2016, the only area in El Paso County to permit retail recreational marijuana outlets is the city of Manitou Springs, which adjoins Colorado Springs to the west, and has two retail recreational pot shops, the maximum number allowed by city ordinance.Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, Recreational marijuana, accessed 31 Mar. 2016. Medical marijuana outlets continue to operate in Colorado Springs although current regulations prevent any new stores from opening.http://gazette.com/colorado-springs-council-approves-moratoriums-on-cannabis-clubs-medical-marijuana/article/1561161 Colorado Springs council approves moratoriums on cannabis clubs, medical marijuana Colorado Springs Gazette 13 October 2015 As of 2015, there were 91 medical marijuana clinics in the city, which reported sales of $59.6 million in 2014, up 11 percent from the previous year."Medical marijuana industry still growing in Colorado," https://web.archive.org/web/20160407124217/http://gazette.com/medical-marijuana-industry-still-growing-in-colorado/article/1548439 April 7, 2016 Colorado Springs Gazette, 25 March 2015. Pueblo county In Pueblo County in 2013 the commissioners adopted laws governing the recreational marijuana industry. The laws allows for the establishment of recreational marijuana grows, manufacturing, testing and retail facilities. The county currently limits the industry to 15 retail marijuana stores which produced more than one half million dollars in taxes in their first year.http://www.chieftain.com/news/3284471-120/county-marijuana-tax-sales Marijuana money set for county coffers The Pueblo Chieftain 8 February 2015 In 2014 the citizens adopted a tax measure designed to fund college scholarships.http://www.koaa.com/story/29889403/marijuana-tax-could-fund-pueblo-scholarships Marijuana tax could fund Pueblo scholarships Lena Howland 27 August 2015 2 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160412003247/http://www.koaa.com/story/29889403/marijuana-tax-could-fund-pueblo-scholarships 12 April 2016 dead In April 2016 a citizen group, operating under Amendment 64's local option, is threatening to bring the issue to ballot with the potential outcome that if adopted the established industry would be forced to shut down anywhere it operates within the unincorporated county.http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/A-Ban-on-Retail-Marijuana-in-Pueblo-County-374350151.html Ban On Retail Marijuana In Pueblo County? KKTV 2016-04-02 2016-04-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160404092009/http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/A-Ban-on-Retail-Marijuana-in-Pueblo-County-374350151.html dead County Commissioner Sal Pace said if this ban were to pass it would hurt the county. In 2015 the county generated a net revenue of $1.75 million from recreational marijuana sales. Tax revenue In February 2015, the state of Colorado reported that tax collection figures for 2014, the first year of legal commercial sales, reached a total of $44 million from recreational marijuana with a further $32 million collected from fees on the industry and pre-existing taxes on medical marijuana. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/291456081.html Colorado collects $44 million in recreational marijuana taxes for 2014, below projections Star Tribune February 10, 2015 February 11, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150211124926/http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/291456081.html February 11, 2015 dead The projected revenue before legalization was $60 million. These sales and excise tax figures do not include the corporate and personal income taxes generated by businesses and employees working in the state's marijuana industry. https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/revenue/colorado-marijuana-tax-data Colorado Marijuana Tax Data Colorado Department of Revenue February 2015 March 7, 2015 April 4, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160404065511/https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/revenue/colorado-marijuana-tax-data dead The state Department of Revenue reported that official sales of recreational and medical marijuana from dispensaries reached over $996 million in 2015; a $297 million increase from the $699 million sold in 2014. The 2015 sales alone generated $135 million of tax revenue, $35 million of which are being used for the Education Center construction projects. http://www.thecannabist.co/2016/02/09/colorado-marijuana-sales-2015-reach-996-million/47886/ Colorado marijuana sales skyrocket to more than $996 million in 2015 The Cannabist February 9, 2016 April 28, 2016 Results Colorado has experienced significant financial benefit as a result of legalization, with marijuana tax, license and fee revenue surpassing $1 billion as of 2019.https://www.denverpost.com/2019/06/12/colorado-marijuana-revenue-one-billion/ Colorado surpasses $1 billion in marijuana tax revenue 12 June 2019 This revenue has been used to finance youth, education and health programs; the first $40 million of annual fee revenue is used to repair and upgrade local elementary schools and education facilities.https://www.denverpost.com/2018/12/27/colorado-marijuana-tax-dollars-schools/ "Where's all that marijuana money?" Colorado's pot dollars help schools, but maybe not as much as you think 27 December 2018 Colorado has seen an 8% rise in homelessness since legalization, which has fueled speculation as to whether increased marijuana use is partially to blame; however, this rise is likely attributed to migration into the state as a result of legalization, including those who were already homeless.https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/27/marijuana-legal-homeless-denver-colorado Is Colorado's homeless surge tied to marijuana legalization? TheGuardian.com 27 February 2017 The number of teenagers sent to emergency rooms with THC-positive substance screens more than quadrupled after marijuana was legalized.https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/er-visits-kids-rise-significantly-after-pot-legalized-colorado-n754781 More teens are showing up in a Denver ER after using marijuana NBC News 5 May 2017 The state also saw a 3% increase in car collision claims after legalization.http://kdvr.com/2017/06/22/study-colorado-sees-claim-rates-increase-after-legalization-of-marijuana/ Study: Colorado sees car crash claim rates increase after legalization of marijuana 22 June 2017 Interstate lawsuit In 2015, Nebraska and Oklahoma attempted to file suit in federal court to stop the implementation of Amendment 64, claiming that Colorado cannabis was harming their localities, and should be preempted by federal law. Sheriffs in Kansas joined the suit.https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2015/03/05/colorado-gets-sued-by-a-third-group-over-marijuana-legalization/ Colorado gets sued by a third group over marijuana legalization Niraj Chokshi 5 March 2015 Washington Post If their effort prevailed, it could have "potentially [led] to all state-level legalization laws being struck down".Vice How America's Legal Weed Is Changing the Black Market and Influencing Mexican Cartels Keegan Hamilton August 25, 2015 https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-americas-legal-weed-is-changing-the-black-market-and-influencing-mexican-cartels/ The United States Solicitor General filed an amicus brief urging the bill of complaint not to be heard,United States Department of Justice States of Nebraska and Oklahoma, plaintiffs v. State of Colorado - on motion for leave to file a bill of complaint brief for the United States as amicus curiae Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. et al December 16, 2015 https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/osg/briefs/2015/12/22/original_no._144_us_cvsg_br.pdf in layman's terms "urging the court to stay out of the case".USA Today Justices won't hear Nebraska, Oklahoma marijuana dispute with Colorado Richard Wolf Trevor Hughes March 21, 2016 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/03/21/marijuana-lawsuit-colorado-oklahoma-nebraska-supreme-court/81984006/ On March 21, 2016, the United States Supreme Court denied Nebraska and Oklahoma's motion, leaving Amendment 64 and other states' legalization laws in effect.Nebraska and Oklahoma v. Colorado Motion for leave to file a bill of complaint denied on March 21, 2016. SCOTUSblog http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/nebraska-and-oklahoma-v-colorado/ See also Cannabis Colorado Decriminalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States Legal history of cannabis in the United States Legal issues of cannabis List of Colorado ballot measures Civil liberties Prohibition of drugs Washington Initiative 502 References 2 HUDAK, J. (2015) COLORADO'S ROLLOUT OF LEGAL MARIJUANA IS SUCCEEDING: A REPORT ON THE STATE'S IMPLEMENTATION OF LEGALIZATION. Case Western Reserve Law Review. 65, 3, 649-687, 2015. 0008-7262 Blake, D., & Finlaw, J. (2014). Marijuana Legalization in Colorado: Learned Lessons. Harvard Law & Policy Review, 8''(2), 1. External links Text of Amendment 64 - Use and Regulation of Marijuana County by county election results for Amendment 64 https://web.archive.org/web/20121110052930/http://data.denverpost.com/election/results/amendment/2012/64-legalize-marijuana/ 2012-11-10 Category:2012 cannabis law reform Category:Cannabis ballot measures in the United States Amendment 64 Category:2012 Colorado ballot measures Category:Constitution of Colorado Category:Amendments to the Constitution of Colorado