Pubdate: Wed, 12 Nov 2014
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Ricardo Baca, The Cannabist

POT SALES DROP FOR THE FIRST TIME

For the first time in Colorado's short legal marijuana history, 
month-over-month recreational cannabis sales fell in September.

According to new data released by the state's Department of Revenue, 
Colorado's retailers sold $31,626,965 in recreational marijuana in 
September-down 7.3 percent from August's retail sales of $34,125,200.

Recreational marijuana's sales numbers had been increasing steadily 
since the adult-use market first opened Jan. 1.

September's first-of-its-kind downturn shocked some industry 
insiders, especially because the previous month's findings saw 
recreational sales boosted by more than 16.5 percent from July 
($29,279,249) to August ($34,125,200).

TheMarijuana Industry Group's executive director Mike Elliott pointed 
toward Colorado's "mud season"- the in-between months separating 
Colorado's stunning summers and powdery winters- as the possible culprit.

"I imagine, though, that we are going to see a pretty big upswing in 
October, and some of that has to do with Aurora opening up licensed 
business," Elliott said.

"But it was just getting started in October, so the upswing might be 
more pronounced in November."

The sales of medical marijuana also dipped 5.2 percent in September 
to $31,626,965 from August's numbers of $33,370,431.

Overall, pot taxes are adding up: Since Jan. 1, Colorado has brought 
in more than $52.4 million in taxes, licenses and fees for 
recreational and medical marijuana.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom