Green States

GREEN STATES With recreational pot sales in full effect in Washington and Colorado, let's explore whether marijuana will represent a new gold rush for these states. COLORADO After voters approved recreational marijuana sales in 2012, Colorado's legal pot sales began in January. What's the status after more than half a year? ANNUAL PROJECTED POT CONSUMPTION IN COLORADO () 1 130 metric tons = 1,000 kilograms 784. That's pounds per day OUT-OF-STATE VISITORS' PERCENTAGE OF RETAIL SALES () Metro areas 44% Rural areas 90% CRIME Violent crime and property crime in Denver have dropped by about 10.6% Homicides are down to less than half of 2013's levels. (2) 1/2 Motor vehicle theft has dropped by more than one-third. (2) 1/3 ECONOMY = $1 million $19 million Recreational marijuana sold in Colorado in March 2014 alone (2) $134 million Total projected marijuana tax revenues in Colorado for 2014 (3) $40 million Pot tax revenues that will go to school districts (3) WASHINGTON Washington, like Colorado, voted to allow pot sales back in 2012, and in July 2014, officially began the sales. After about a month, here's where things stand: $2.4 = $1 million million in sales during July 2014 (4) AROUND THE COUNTRY While Colorado and Washington are the only two states so far to permit recreational pot sales, 21 other states and the District of Columbia have medical marijuana laws on the books, and several other states have recently waded into the legal-weed waters. (5) All marijuana possession illegal Medical marijuana allowed Recreational marijuana allowed Medical marijuana legislation or ballot initiatives pending WA NH MT VT ME ND MN OR WI MA ID SD NY WY MI RI IA CT NE NJ NV IL IN UT DE CO KS MO VA MD CA KY DC NC TN Ок AZ NM AR SC MS AL GA LA TX AK DHI SOURCES: INFO GRAPHIC WORLD 1. http://www.usatoday.com 2. http://rt.com 3. http://mobile.reuters.com 4. http://www.kxly.com 5. http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org www.InfographicWorld.com री