Pubdate: Tue, 10 Jun 2014
Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2014 Albuquerque Journal
Contact:  http://www.abqjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/10
Author: Kristen Wyatt, the Associated Press
Page: B4

POT TAX COLLECTIONS BOOMING IN COLORADO

DENVER (AP) - Colorado's marijuana market boomed in April as tens of
thousands celebrated the once-underground 4/20 pot holiday.

Tax collections released Monday showed that Colorado sold about $22
million worth of recreational pot in April. That's an increase of
about 17 percent from March and an increase of about 58 percent from
January, the first month of retail sales.

An estimate from the Colorado Department of Revenue showed that
Colorado made about $5.3 million from medical and recreational pot
taxes and fees in April. That's up from about $5 million in March.

Colorado made no estimate of 4/20 visitors. But pot shops in Denver
had long lines the whole weekend, and at least 30,000 flocked to a
city park to mark the marijuana celebration.

Medical marijuana continues to far outpace recreational pot sales,
according to April figures. Colorado's pot shops sold about $32
million in medical pot in April, or about 44 percent more medical pot
than recreational pot.

Medical and recreational pot products can be the same, though medical
products require a doctor's recommendation and state license before
buying.

Counting all taxes, licensing and fees, marijuana has brought in some
$17.9 million for the state since January.
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