Pubdate: Thu, 02 Jan 2014
Source: Boston Herald (MA)
Copyright: 2014 Associated Press
Contact:  http://news.bostonherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53
Note: Prints only very short LTEs.

RECREATIONAL POT SHOPS OPEN IN COLORADO TOWNS

DENVER (AP) - Crowds were serenaded by live music as they waited for 
the nation's first legal recreational pot shops to open yesterday. 
They ate doughnuts and funnel cakes as a glass-blower made smoking pipes.

Some tourists even rode around in a limo, eager to try weed, but not 
so eager to be seen buying it.

And when the sales began, those who bought the drug emerged from the 
stores, receipt held high and carrying sealed shopping bags, to cheers.

"I'm going to frame the receipt when I go home, to remind myself of 
what might be possible: Legal everywhere," said musician James Aaron 
Ramsey, 28, who did some time in jail for pot possession in Missouri 
and played folk tunes for those in line.

Activists hope he's right, and that the experiment in Colorado will 
prove to be a better alternative to the costly America-led drug war, 
produce the kind of revenue that state officials hope for and save 
the costs of locking up drug offenders.

Just on the first day, prices in some places rose to more than $500 
an ounce, and some shops announced mid-afternoon they would close 
early because of short supply. It's too soon to say whether the price 
spikes and long lines will persist.

Washington state will open its pot industry later this year. Both 
states' programs will be watched closely.

Just as shops opened Wednesday, the Denver Police Department tweeted, 
"Do you know the law?" and linked to city websites on state and local 
laws that ban public consumption, driving under the influence, taking 
marijuana out of state and giving pot to anyone under 21.

Denver police said one summons was issued for public consumption.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom