2016 was a huge year for cannabis. As a result, we are ranking the fifty states from worst to best on how they treat cannabis and those who consume it. Each of our State of Cannabis posts analyzes one state and our final post will crown the best state for cannabis. As is always the case, but particularly so with this series, we welcome your comments.
We have reviewed all 50 states and are now almost ready to reveal our top pick when it comes to cannabis. This post focuses on the runner-up, Colorado, which along with Washington, was the first state to vote to legalize recreational marijuana.
Our previous rankings are as follows: 3. Washington; 4.California; 5.Alaska; 6.Massachusetts; 7.Maine; 8.New Mexico;9.Nevada; 10.Hawaii; 11.Maryland; 12.Connecticut; 13.Vermont; 14.Rhode Island; 15.Kentucky; 16.Pennsylvania; 17.Delaware; 18.Michigan; 19.New Hampshire; 20.Ohio; 21.New Jersey; 22.Illinois;23.Minnesota; 24.New York; 25.Wisconsin; 26.Arizona; 27.West Virginia; 28.Indiana; 29.North Carolina; 30.Utah; 31.South Carolina; 32.Tennessee; 33.North Dakota; 34.Georgia; 35.Louisiana; 36.Mississippi; 37.Nebraska; 38.Missouri;39.Florida; 40.Arkansas; 41.Montana;42.Iowa; 43.Virginia; 44.Wyoming; 45.Texas; 46.Kansas; 47.Alabama; 48.Idaho; 49.Oklahoma; 50.South Dakota.
Colorado
Recreational Marijuana.Colorado voters approved Amendment 64 in November 2012, legalizing recreational marijuana. In Colorado, adults 21 and over can possess up to one ounce of marijuana of useable marijuana. Colorado allows for home grows, meaning adults are allowed to grow cannabis plants in their homes. The state allows up to six marijuana plants in a private and locked space in a residence and a person may possess all marijuana grown from those plants, so long as that marijuana stays on the premises.
Colorados recreational marijuana market is the nations oldest. Though Washington and Colorado both voted to legalize marijuana on the same date, Colorado was the first to implement its recreational market. That market is made up of licensedcultivation facilities, product manufacturing facilities, testing facilities, and retail stores. The Colorado Department of Revenue oversees Colorados licensed cannabis entities. Accordingto the Departmentswebsite, Colorados market is currently made up of 441 retail stores, 623 cultivation facilities, 241 product manufacturers, and 13 testing facilities. Colorado cannabis eclipsed $1 billion in sales in only the first ten months of 2016 according to Fortune.
Colorado (Denver, actually) is in the forefront (sort of)onpublic consumption of cannabis.Denvervoters approvedInitiative 300 to allow private businesses to offer space for their patrons to consume cannabis. However, the Liquor Enforcement Division of the Colorado Department of Revenue recently approved a rule prohibiting businesses with a liquor license from applying for cannabis consumption permits under Initiative 300. This new rule will mean that Denver bars and restaurants that serve alcohol cannot also allow their patrons to use cannabis on-site.
Medical Marijuana.Colorado first approved the medical use of marijuana in 2000 when Colorado voters approved Amendment 20. Patients may possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana and may cultivate no more than six marijuana plants. Doctors may recommend more to treat a patients specific medical needs. The following are qualifying conditions for which a patient may usemedical cannabis:
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
- Persistent muscle spasms
- Seizures
- Severe nausea
- Severe pain
Colorado patients may purchase cannabis at licensed medical dispensaries at a lower tax rate than recreational users. Colorados medical cannabis industry continues to operate alongside its recreational cannabis market.
Bottomline.Colorado ranks so high on our list largely because it has a proven history of being on the cutting edge ...
