Legal Recreational Marijuana Sales Begin in Colorado
Colorado became the first state in the nation to allow retail marijuana sales on Wednesday, a day being referred to by some as "Green Wednesday." Sales began this morning at 37 stores.
According to The Denver Post, shoppers began lining up as early as 2 a.m. to stand in line. "I've been waiting 34 years for this moment," Chrissy Robinson said while waiting outside Evergreen Apothecary. "I've been smoking since I was 14. No more sneaking around." Police reported no problems with customers, even as lines grew longer than several hundred people at some outlets.
The first official marijuana purchase in the state—a "ceremonial purchase" organized by activists—occurred right after 8 a.m. at the 3D Cannabis Center in Denver. The cash buyer was Sean Azzariti, a former marine who served in the Iraq war and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
It's hard not to smile as you watch the video of Azzariti's transaction. It includes a very professional sales woman discussing the merits of the "Bubba Kush" strain and a reporter asking a very important question: "How long is that eighth gonna last you?"