Colorado Is The First & January 1st The Date

In the election last November, two states (Colorado and Washington) voted to legalize the sale and use of small amounts of marijuana -- not just for medical use, but also for recreational use. After that, it was just a question of ironing out just how the sales would be done (and taxed). Colorado has now done that.

Recently the Colorado legislature passed new laws regarding the sale and taxation of marijuana. Starting on January 1st of 2014, "packaged and labeled marijuana and marijuana products will be available for purchase through state-licensed stores by anyone 21 years of age or older. Anyone." For the first time in many decades it will be legal to purchase and use marijuana for recreational purposes. Hopefully now, many other states will follow suit.

The only remaining question is how the federal government is going to react, since the possession and use of marijuana is still a federal crime. It never should have been made illegal, since marijuana is not a dangerous drug. It poses no risk to those who use it, or anyone else (while many other legal drugs, like alcohol, do pose serious risks -- both to users and those they come in contact with).

Let us hope President Obama does the right thing -- nothing at all. The people of Colorado (and Washington) have spoken -- and the federal government should respect their decision.