Marijuana Is Legal in Colorado...Now What?

On November 6, 2012 the citizens of Colorado and Washington voted to regulate marijuana like alcohol. In Colorado, where around 10,000 people are arrested for violating marijuana laws each year, 55 percent voted in favor of Amendment 64. On December 10, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper officially made Amendment 64 part of the state's constitution.

The governor also signed an executive order establishing a task force of government officials and other stakeholders to make recommendations to the legislature about how to establish a legal market for businesses to cultivate and sell marijuana to adults. For now, adults 21 years old and over can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants.

How did the federal government respond? On the day after November's election, Justice Department spokesperson Nanda Chitre said, "The Department's enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act remains unchained."

November 6 was an historic day for drug policy reformers across the country, but at this point it's anybody's guess whether or not the feds will respect the will of the voters in Colorado and Washington.

Reason TV traveled to Colorado to see what residents there are thinking.

Approximately 2.30 minutes. Produced by Paul Feine and Alex Manning.

• Category

  News & Politics

[TheGeneralHeinz]

y'know, i agree with the argument that the government could make shit-tons of money off the taxation for marijuana, but i hate that that has to be used as evidence for why we should legalize it. why? because this is a question of INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY, not ECONOMICS. i shouldn't have to bribe my babysitters with more money to not trample on my rights regarding something like this.

[Amitzi Vitzie]

So if your a Colorado or Washington resident you can grow 6 plants at your home with no license or permit?

[cinci515]

Legalize it? Yes. Tax the shit out of it? wait what???

[James William Steven Parker]

Weed is legal? Now what? Well... nothing... because weed is just weed.

[pac6010]

Stop being a stereotypical idiot, everyone that smokes also works. Just because you smoke doesn't mean you aren't a contributing member of society. Just like how all people that are in the military aren't murdering psychopaths that kill innocent women and children. You need to grow up.

[JustThug216]

You all know that people are STILL going to buy the SHIT illegally right? Sooner or later thy won't want to pay the taxes on it.. To me weed is childish, grow up, get a job, support your family. End of story. Go Army, Army Strong.

[Thesortvokter]

It's EXACTLY because it is not criminal anymore that it will lower crime rates. The crimes of smoking and possesing will be eliminated.

[chasegoodwin1]

People are not going to go from having a vast variety of super dank nugs to some dealing giving you a gram of god knows what from god knows where. They will undoubtedly find the beat way to monitor, regulate and sell marijuana and there is no stopping it. It is simply unreasonable to put some in prison for life on weed related charges ONLY or even a day in jail for a joint. No matter how much you disagree with legalization, remember, it is literally a plant that can't kill.

[Blah Somethingson]

"Everybody is gonna smoke it anyways, so why not legalize it and then tax the shit out of it?" No, because then people just by it illegally for a cheaper price which leads to violent gangsters being financially supported.

[salsalemus68]

I'm moving there when i turn 18

[Dro Montana]

Im all wit pot being legalized everywhere but i dont think its gonna lower crime rates . People smoke weed legal or not and been doing it . Nothing is gonna change except the fact u can walk in and buy it without medical card