Colorado 10 Years Into Legal Cannabis Sales

On November 6, 2012, Colorado voters ushered in a new era, making their state the first in the nation (tied with Washington state) to legalize cannabis.  A little over a year later, on January 1, 2014, retail stores opened their doors, making history.

Now, more than half of Americans live in legal cannabis states. Even some of the staunchest opponents of legalization — including Senator John Hickenlooper, who was Colorado’s governor at the time — have recognized the sky has not fallen. Teen marijuana use is down, workplaces saw fewer injuries, and the economy has seen significant growth. 

Colorado’s cannabis industry generated a total of more than $2.6 billion in tax revenue as of January 2024 and supported over 30,000 jobs according to Colorado’s Department of Revenue. 

Under Colorado’s voter-enacted constitutional amendment, adults 21 and older could possess up to one ounce of cannabis, grow up to six plants (three mature), and purchase cannabis from regulated businesses. Lawmakers subsequently increased the possession limit to two ounces.

Room for Improvement

While Colorado’s cannabis laws have come a long way, in some ways other states have surpassed Colorado in areas of cannabis justice. Several states — including California, New Jersey, and New York — provide employment protections for cannabis consumers. About half of the nation’s 38 medical cannabis states provide similar legal protections. But in Colorado, both medical cannabis and adult-use consumers can still be fired for using cannabis off-hours and for testing positive many hours, days, or even weeks later.

Key Milestones 

1975: Colorado lawmakers reduce the penalty for simple possession to a fine

2000: Colorado voters approved medical cannabis. 

2012: Voters approve adult use cannabis legalization (Amendment 64). 

2014: Adult-use retail stores open their doors. 

2019: Lawmakers approve home delivery and cannabis hospitality (HB 1234 & HB 1230).

2021: Lawmakers increase the possession limit for adults to two ounces (HB21-1090).

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