Colorado’s Pot Shops Say They’ll Be Sold Out Any Day Now

Time ^ | January 04, 2014 | Brad Tuttle

[Ken H]

A few days into the experiment, the new world of legal recreational marijuana sales in Colorado appears to be a big success—so much so that pot shops are finding it impossible to keep up with demand.

According to the Denver Post, at least 37 stores in Colorado were licensed to sell recreational pot to anyone 21 or over as of New Year’s Day. The Associated Press and others reported long lines outside Denver pot shops, with some eager customers forced to wait three to five hours before getting a chance to go inside, step up to the counter, and make a purchase.

Prices have been steep—in some cases, stores were charging $50 or even $70 for one-eighth of an ounce of pot that cost medical marijuana users just $25 the day before—and taxes add on an extra 20% or so. Even so, sales have been brisk.

The two operational pot shops in Pueblo collectively sold $87,000 of marijuana on January 1, per the Pueblo Chieftain, and store owners say that if demand persists anywhere near the current high, they’ll be sold out in the very near future.

[Lurker]

The Federal government has absolutely no authority to regulate what people smoke. None whatsoever v

[andyk]

Prices have been steep—in some cases, stores were charging $50 or even $70 for one-eighth of an ounce of pot

Early 2000's saw $125 for a quarter when I was in D-town. But that was just the word on the street. I don't quite get the disparity between the medicinal prices and the now recreational prices, though.

Seems like the medicinal users were a subset of the recreational users, intersected with people who had less ability to feel shame. That sounds awkward, but it's as close as I can get to the sentiment I mean to express.

The medicinal users had no problem saying "I need it to maintain a quality of life", whereas others said "I'll keep buying it illegally and face the consequences, thank you very much". It's interesting.

[NautiNurse]

Legal pot costing plenty more than the black market. A windfall for state tax coffers. Feds will be climbing on this gravy train posthaste. And so it begins.

[Paul8148]

so we pricing out people who can use it for legit medical purposes.

[buwaya]

Potheads=dumbheads is correct.
But still, we have always had the dumb, and pot doesn’t make them dumb, it just identifies them.
I always agreed with Bill Buckley that pot should be legal. Its filthy stuff but banning it is worse.

[ltc8k6]

The influx of liberal potheads could easily reverse that trend.

[Mark17]

Why go to the government approved, overpriced dispensories? Don’t the buyers already have connections?

I thought this was supposed to reduce prices. Don't high prices usually cause a black market on the stuff? Maybe now, the dealers on the streets will be making more money too.

[Ken H]

RE :”Do you support Colorado’s authority under the Tenth Amendment to carry out this policy, even though you disagree with it?”

I am indifferent to it.

So you're indifferent as to whether the Tenth Amendment is honored?

[Uncle Chip]

So then has the aroma wafted over into Loveland Kansas yet???

[buwaya]

But then they would drain out of somewhere else that they already infest. Net effect is a wash.

[ClearCase_guy]

I am not pro-drug, but I will say the following:

1) Federal ban on drugs (such as marijuana) is unconstitutional.
2) State ban on drugs (such as marijuana) is constitutional under the 10th Amendment.
3) If a state decides not to ban a drug (such as marijuana) then that is the state's right.

Personally, I would like to see government charity (housing, food stamps, healthcare) entirely stopped. Be responsible. Don't expect anyone (taxpayers) to rescue you from bad decisions. If that is the situation, and if someone uses drugs and does OK, then I have no problem with it.

[sickoflibs]

RE :” I am indifferent to it.
......
So you're indifferent as to whether the Tenth Amendment is honored?”

Is someone legally challenging Colorado passing this law legalizing and taxing their residents getting high?

Or are you asking my opinion on an non-issue?

Yes, I know it's B. Obama seems happy with this.

[Political Junkie Too]

Any guesses as to how long before Colorado businesses demand mandatory random drug testing for their work forces?

-PJ

[ifinnegan]

“The other matters, such as collapsed morals, failing marriages, bastard children, overwhelming bureaucracy and fascist corporatism are much worse than drugs have ever been.”

In large part a consequence of drugs in our society.

[Impy]

I’d like to see a state legalize heroin and crack just to see what the “state’s rights” absolutists say about it.

[ifinnegan]

There has never been a law against smoking anything, fed or state.

[ifinnegan]

Correction. There’s never been a law against smoking dope.

There, though have been laws against smoking in specified locations.

[GATOR NAVY]

I thought this was supposed to reduce prices.

I know that's always been an argument of the legalize crowd but I never bought it. The users have already established what price they are willing to pay-why would a seller, especially if turned out to be the government-charge any less than the illegal dealers did?

[Ken H]

Is someone legally challenging Colorado passing this law legalizing and taxing their residents getting high?

Not that I know of.

Or are you asking my opinion on an non-issue?

Just trying to determine where you stand on the Tenth Amendment. I'll put you down as "indifferent".

[Mark17]

Any guesses as to how long before Colorado businesses demand mandatory random drug testing for their work forces?

You mean they don't already? I worked for the state of California, for more than 25 years, and was in the Air Force for 20. In both, initial drug screening was a condition of employment, and we could expect random testing at anytime. I wonder if this law means that we can expect MJ use at Fort Carson, or the Air Force Academy?