It's not just the citizens that are high in Colorado. It's now also the state coffers.
While north of the border we continue to hem and haw about what to do with marijuana, the Centennial State is making lots of cents and sense.
Colorado released the facts and figures from the first month of taxes collected on both recreational and medical marijuana sales and it's nothing to stare at the wall and giggle at.
The state earned more than $3.5 million for January, including more than $2 million directly from recreational users. Colorado is the first state to allow the sale of pot but our neighbours to the south in Washington State are expected to follow suit later this summer.
As Canadians continue to twiddle their thumbs, these two states are cleaning up and it's a tremendous lost opportunity for the entire country but especially British Columbia.
It's common knowledge that B.C.-grown marijuana is revered around the globe as being among the highest-quality cannabis on the planet. Just think of the possibilities of the gates being open to the legal purchase and consumption of locally grown weed.
Not only would it free up time for the police to go after more pressing issues but it would also provide jobs and in these lean times, it's ridiculous that governments are looking away from what could an easy revenue generator through taxation.
There are also opportunities in tourism with pot aficionados interested in traveling the world and trying new types and variations of their favourite plant. Hey, if the foodie movement can increase tourism, why can't the marijuana movement?
The fact that Washington State will soon open its doors to these types of possibilities and get a head start on B.C. is disappointing.
One of the more interesting retail applications in Washington State that I saw was in the tiny border town of Point Roberts. For those unaware, Point Roberts is south of Tsawwassen and is an oddity as it's not physically connected to the United States.
Point Roberts is only reachable by land through Canada and the proposed store, called The Herb Company, will sell pot and pot paraphernalia.
But the potential is really endless. Imagine a bed and breakfast located in Point Roberts that sells itself on the availability of pot. Takes wake and bake to a whole new level, doesn't it?
I know whale watching is pretty big in Point Roberts but depending on the strength of the marijuana, we could see our first orange and pink killer whale. And sales of Cheetos would go through the roof.
The point is, it should be B.C. taking advantage of its reputation as a haven for pot users, but instead it's up to Washington State and Colorado to puff and pass.
