Pubdate: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 Author: John Ingold Page: 2A POT SHOPS PASS UNDERAGE TEST Stings by State Don't Turn Up Retailers That Sold to Minors No recreational marijuana stores sold pot to minors during underage-compliance stings across the state, according to the Colorado Department of Revenue. Authorities in Denver and Pueblo, working with regulators from the state Marijuana Enforcement Division, conducted 20 undercover stings in which they saw whether a store sold pot to someone under 21. Sixteen of the compliance checks occurred in Denver, home to most of the state's recreational marijuana stores. So far, no store sold to someone under age in the checks. "It is imperative that we keep marijuana out of the hands of kids," Barbara Brohl, the executive director of the Department of Revenue, which includes the Marijuana Enforcement Division, said in a statement. "These results show that strong efforts are being made by the MED and the marijuana business licensees to do just that." While medical marijuana stores can sell to registered patients under 21, recreational stores can sell only to those 21 and over and must check identification. Stores that are found selling to someone under age could have their license suspended or revoked or face a fine up to $100,000. "We are pleased with the results and will continue to monitor the businesses to ensure that the compliance efforts are maintained," MED director Lewis Koski said in a statement. Tuesday marks the six-month anniversary of the start of recreational marijuana sales in Colorado, and marijuana advocates on Thursday pointed to the lack of underage-compliance violations in arguing that legalization has been positive for Colorado. They also cited a drop in overall crime in Denver and a drop in all marijuana cases that could see authorities in Colorado this year pursuing only a quarter the number of marijuana prosecutions as they did prelegalization. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt