Pubdate: Wed, 11 Sep 2013 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2013 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 Author: John Ingold STATE FIRST IN NATION TO FINALIZE ITS RULES FOR RECREATIONAL POT In 136 small-type pages, Colorado this week became the first state in the country to adopt final rules for recreational marijuana businesses. The rules, released late Monday, cover everything from pot-shop licensing and inventory tracking to marijuana packaging and advertising. They also represent the most comprehensive effort to date to take the once all-illegal marijuana market and harness it into what supporters say will be controlled, refined legitimacy. Applications to open a recreational marijuana store can be filed starting in threeweeks. The first stores are expected to open around Jan.1. Among the highlights of the rules: All marijuana stores, cultivation facilities and makers of marijuana-infused products must be licensed and pay fees ranging from $2,750 to $14,000. Until October 2014, recreational marijuana stores must grow themselves almost all the pot they sell. Marijuana must be placed into opaque, child-resistant packages before leaving the store. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom