Colorado Marijuana Sales Jump 33% From Last Year

Posted by CANNASaver on Saturday, 15 October 2016 in Canna Blog

COLORADO YTD POT REVENUES JUMP 33% WITH AUGUST SETTING NEW RECORD

 

According to the Colorado Department of Revenues most recently published marijuana tax report, during the first eight months of 2016, Colorado medical and adult-use marijuana hit $846 million jumping 33% from the same period last year.  According to a Pew Research Center poll, 57% of Americans say marijuana should be legal so it's easy to see why pot sales are on the rise.

In Colorado,  medical and retail marijuana is presented with a 2.9% sales tax and retail marijuana is presented with 10% special sales tax. These tax dollars recently funded a television commercial that can be found online and should be hitting a television set near you very soon.

The state is attempting to run television commercials telling parents to talk to their kids about pot. LOL!  Come on Denver, you're missing the point just like the mighty ones that funded the DARE program.  Now if you smarten up, you'll produce commercials telling kids to talk to their parents about weed!

It is amazing that children are used in the pot wars. In some sociopaths minds, saying legalizing pot will keep it out of the hands of children, is like saying there's a drought when the planet is mostly water. Do you remember being 13?  I can walk into any neighborhood and within a very short time, some teen will be able to do a drug hook up.

Not to digress, that's another topic.

$126 million in recreational cannabis sales was reported for the month of August which is said to be a new record for the state’s marijuana industry.  Rec sales were nearly $85 million of the total. That's up 43% from the same time a year ago.  It's reported that Adult-use sales jumped nearly 50% over the same period this time last year through August. The  comparison is during the first eight months of 2015.

According to a Pew Research center study poll, younger Americans are leading the shift in support of cannabis legalization, and it's no wonder. Younger Americans have grown up in favorable circumstances led by direct knowledge instead of propaganda. They have encompassed technology at a rate that propels the advent of new technologies so rapidly, last year's generation is still trying to figure out how to program their VCR while the younger generation forces expansion and growth. - Hey, didn't anybody ever tell you those VCR things are obsolete? - Lest you remember - or forget - Blockbuster Video Rental Stores? LOL!

The University of Colorado Leeds School of Business released a report that Colorado’s employment growth is meeting expectations and the economy continues to outperform the nation. The report stated that Colorado Employment is growing faster, housing is hotter and incomes are higher. Food and chemical manufacturing added 1,200 jobs between 2014 and 2015 and manufacturing as a whole added 6,100 jobs.

The legalization of marijuana is expected to continue to drive growth in retail sales and employment in Colorado and many other states as the November ballot quickly approaches.  A recent national Gallup poll showed that 58% of respondents were in favor of nationwide legalization so it easy to see where this is headed. Less alcohol related accidents and deaths is one outcome we can insure!

Be Well.

MrD.

Denver Cannabis Consumption Pilot Program Explained

Posted by CANNASaver on Monday, 14 November 2016 in Canna Blog

DENVER CANNABIS CONSUMPTION PILOT PROGRAM

 

Vote Yes on Initiative 300 is the chime ringing in and around the city of Denver as voters take a shot at approving what could open up the door for marijuana social clubs and indoor cannabis use by licensed public establishments.

The Yes on 300 campaign is a pilot program that aims to create private areas for adults 21+ to consume cannabis socially, and many think it's about time.   Since passing Amendment 64 in Colorado, there's been a 500%  increase in public consumption tickets issued in Denver County with African-Ameri­­cans being ticketed at a rate 2.6 times higher than others.

 
The City of Denver Cannabis Consumption Pilot Program is believed to be a responsible approach to solving this problem by providing designated areas in certain City-permitted business establishments where adults 21 and over may consume cannabis in accordance with the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act while out of view of the general public.

Another matter at hand are the 70 million tourists attracted to Colorado each year with no place to legally consume what's becoming the state's biggest cash crop.  Moreover, now that California has legalized recreational marijuana, Colorado has to be forward thinking to keep the tourist coming to continue to bolster the the state's tourism revenues which have increased nicely since the passing of Amendment 64.

The Colorado Tourism Office reported that 77.7 million visitors visited the state in 2015 spending an all-time high of $19.1 billion. This is an increase of almost 7% from 2014,  generating $1.13 billion in state and local taxes.

The Denver Department of Excise and Licenses will handle permits but only after a prospective permit holder has received formal approval from an eligible neighborhood organization (HOA) prior to applying.  

 
What's really interesting about the indoor smoking initiative is the fact that on July 1, 2006, the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect which banned smoking (tobacco products) in all enclosed workplaces statewide, including bars and restaurants.

 
This was a major reconditioning of a society's behaviour and now another shift in perception with legalized weed and a special privilege to consume cannabis socially in public is certainly widening the gap of possibilities of just how far human potential will take us. (Did someone say Amsterdam?)

Just for the record, here are the rules given by the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act posted on their website for your clarification.

 
The Clean Indoor Air Act applies to community associations and prohibits smoking in restrooms, hallways, lobbies and other common areas in any public or private buildings, including condominium buildings, and within a fifteen foot radius of building entryways.  The law does not prevent owners from smoking in their residences, and does not clearly restrict smoking on private patios or balconies, although some associations impose more stringent smoking restrictions through their recorded covenants or rules.  

Colorado community associations, and individuals, in violation of the Clean Indoor Air Act may face fines.  The law establishes a fine schedule of $200 for the first violation, $300 for the second, and $500 for the third and subsequent violations.

Any establishment that chooses to allow social cannabis use will be required to comply with the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act, which means only non-smokable forms of cannabis, such as vaporizers, will be allowed indoors. Smoking cannabis will only be allowed in designated exterior areas that are not visible to the public right of way. An odor control plan will be required and odor complaints may result in loss of permit.

 

Right on Colorado!

Progress.

MrD.

Weed Deals this Week from the Best Dispensaries in Colorado

Posted by CANNASaver on Tuesday, 20 September 2016 in Canna Blog

Low Price Marijuana in Denver: Best Dispensary Deals this Week

Denver marijuana dispensary deals abound this week. From ounce specials, deals on concentrates and edibles specials, the best dispensaries in denver are offering a lot of great marijuana deals for the savvy stoner to take advantage of. Here’s a lowdown on here to find the best dispensary deals in Denver on low cost marijuana right now. If you’re looking for marijuana deals in Boulder, we’ve got you covered there, too.

Best Ounce Deals in Denver

There are several marijuana dispensaries in Denver that are offering ounce deals on low price marijuana this week. For the cheapest ounces in Denver and the best quality go to The Joint by Cannabis. They’re offering $70 ounces of popcorn shake for recreational marijuana customers. Livwell has the next best marijuana deals in Denver for recreational ounces. A high CBD flower ounce is $89.99, or you can get an ounce of THC marijuana for $99 plus tax on select strains. This is good for all their locations such as Livwell Stapleton, Livwell Evans, and Livwell Broadway. For medical marijuana patients, the best deal on an ounce of marijuana in Denver can be found at Platte Valley Dispensary. A medical ounce is only $100 right now with the marijuana coupon on Cannasaver, and tax is included in this price.

Best Concentrates in Denver

The best concentrate deals Denver wax and shatter lovers can enjoy right now are at Medicine Man Aurora, CannaBotica, River Rock North, and Starbuds. Medicine Man Aurora is holding a BOGO 50% off sale where if you buy any vape cartridge, you can buy another vape cartridge for half price. This deal is only for recreational customers. If you’re looking for deals on concentrates for medical marijuana, River Rock North is worth a visit for their BOGO 50% off sale they have going on wax products produced by 710 Labs. CannaBotica also has a sweet deal for med customers, offering 500mg Wana cartridges for only 4 for $100. Starbuds also has a good deal on concentrates this week with a BOGO 50% off deal on all wax.

Best Edibles in Denver

The best dispensaries for edibles this week are The Joint by Cannabis, Whole Meds, and Rocky Road Aurora. Rocky Road Aurora has the largest selection of edibes in Aurora and is offering recreational customers 25% off on the purchase of a second edible if you buy one at the regular price, while the Joint by Cannabis is taking $3.00 off the price of any edible priced $11.99 or higher. At Rocky Road Aurora, you can buy two edibles and get a third edible for free, but the deal is only good on select edibles, and it’s only for medical purchases.

Best Marijuana Deals in Boulder

The best marijuana deals in Boulder this week are at MMJ America Boulder. One of the best priced dispensaries in Boulder, MMJ America Boulder is offering recreational ½ ounces for $60 with the money saving marijuana coupon from Cannasaver.

Best Weed Deals in Colorado

To guarantee you can get in on the low price marijuana deals described above, be sure to print out the coupons for each marijuana deal or simply show them on your smartphone at the store when you want to take advantage of a great weed deal. Just go to CannaSaver and click on the link to the marijuana dispensary you want to go to and you will be taken to a list of that dispensary’s best deals on concentrates, deals on edibles, and marijuana specials. Or, just click on the link to the newest deals tab, or use the search box on top of the page to find the best priced dispensaries right now and the latest deals on low priced marijuana in Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs. There are deals for things besides actual marijuana products too, such as cannabis tours and 420 friendly hotels and other 420 friendly businesses and services. Basically if it’s in or near Denver and it has anything to do with weed, there’s a good chance you can find a money saving coupon for it on CannaSaver. 

May-Jun 2022 Edition Canna Artist Contest Finalists

Posted by CANNASaver on Thursday, 28 July 2022 in Canna Blog

Holy Guacamole! Our first color-contest (May/June '22 Edition) was a big hit, and we want to thank everyone who submitted entries! Although it was a difficult choice, our cover artist, Justin Redmon, has narrowed down the winners and runners up below (we've also included our staff favorites). Congratulations to all of you for retaining your artistic coloring skills even late into adulthood!

First Place: Jean Wohlf
Runner Up: Rachel Harbour
Honorable Mention: James (age 39)

Finalists & Staff Favorites:

First Time Visit to a Marijuana Store? What To Expect

Posted by CANNASaver on Friday, 12 August 2016 in Canna Blog

First time at a marijuana store : What to expect and how to get the best marijuana deals in denver

Have you been thinking about trying marijuana, but wondering what to expect your first time at a marijuana store? Visiting a marijuana dispensary is a great first step for a first time marijuanauser who isn't quite sure what to do or what to get. You might be wondering how to find the best dispensary deals Denver weed stores are offering, and what are the best marijuana deals in denver that you can take advantage of as a marijuana first timer. You might have more basic questions, perhaps wondering, which marijuana product is right for me? One of the best things about going to a dispensary is that the marijuana stores have expert staff members who can answer questions, explain all the different marijuana products available, and guide you towards a good selection. If you've never been to a weed store before, your first time at a marijuana dispensary is definitely an exciting experience. Knowing what to expect during your first time at a marijuana store will help you feel more confident so that you can relax and fully enjoy the experience. Here's what it's really like to buy marijuana in Colorado at any of the numerous neighborhood weed stores.

Marijuana dispensaries range from modest like Denver Recreational Dispensary to sprawling like Medicine Man Denver, and most look very unassuming from the outside. You won't see any storefront windows packed with marijuana on display, or any signage advertising the best marijuana deals in Denver. Instead, you'll probably find a very plain looking building with a simple sign that says the name of the business, perhaps embellished with a pot leaf or the traditional green cross. To find the best dispensary deals Denver locals look on CannaSaver where you can find marijuana coupons from dispensaries like Platte Valley Dispensary and Medicine Man Denver, and also get an idea of what prices are like at the different dispensaries. The best marijuana deals in Denver are never far away.

When you first go into the marijuana dispensary, you'll enter a little waiting room area that's separate from the area where the marijuana products are kept and sold. This part of the process usually feels a bit formal, sort of like being in a doctor's office. Here, someone will check your id before you're allowed to go any further into the dispensary. You absolutely won't be allowed to shop without a valid government-issued photo id that shows you are at least 21 years of age. This means that if your license is expired, or you forgot it, you're out of luck. Once your id gets the okay, the staff person will guide you into the dispensary. There are rules about how many people can be in the dispensary area at a time, so sometimes you have to wait a little bit before you're allowed to go in. There is usually not much of a wait, maybe 10 or 15 minutes at most but typically you'll be able to go right in.

Once you do get in the main marijuana dispensary area, you'll find a whole new world. You'll likely receive a friendly greeting as your eyes feast on the shining display cases and shelves stocked with jars upon jars of beautiful buds of various marijuana strains. You'll also find concentrates such as wax, oils, and shatter, a variety of marijuana edibles from candies to cookies to soda pops, pipes, vaporizers, bongs, and other smoking accessories, and often clothing, stickers, incense, and other gift products and novelty items.

The people that work the counter at the marijuana dispensary are called budtenders. The budtender will weigh out your weed for you and answer any questions you may have. Many dispensaries will let you take a quick whiff of the buds and get a closer look, so don't be shy about asking to check out the marijuana up close before you decide on a strain. When it comes time to pay for your marijuana, it's a nice gesture to tip your budtender just as you would tip a bartender.

You'll have to use cash to make your marijuana purchase, so come prepared in case there isn't an ATM nearby. Be aware that marijuana products are heavily taxed, so expect to pay up to an additional 20% or so in marijuana tax on your purchase. There is a 12.9% state tax, plus city and county taxes that vary from place to place. When you buy your weed, you'll also need to buy what is called an “exit bag.” This specially made opaque bag with a safety closure is something that the law requires, the idea being that your marijuana purchase will be discreetly concealed when you exit the store. They typically cost only a dollar or two, and you can reuse the same bag if you end up visiting the dispensary again.

If you're feeling ready for your first time at a marijuana store, use the search tool on Cannapages to find a marijuana dispensary near you. Get some marijuana coupons while you're at it, too. The best dispensary deals Denver offers include discounts, sales, daily specials, and other money-saving promotions. Just go to CannaSaver to find the best marijuana deals in Denver. With marijuana coupons in hand, options for where to go, and the knowledge of what to expect once you get there, you'll be shopping for the first time at a marijuana store like a pro.

Denver Dispensary Marijuana Deals on Federal Blvd in Denver

Posted by CANNASaver on Friday, 22 December 2017 in Canna Blog

Federal Blvd Dispensary Offers Ounce Deals, Wax Deals and More

Are you looking for a low priced dispensary in Denver with high quality marijuana? If so, get yourself over to The Lodge Cannabis. With a recreational and medical marijuana downtown Denver dispensary near City Park, and another recreational dispensary on Federal Blvd., the Lodge Cannabis is easy to find and well worth the trip with all the money you’ll save.

Some dispensaries may appear to offer great prices, but the weed is only so-so...which every savvy stoner knows, is no kind of deal at all! The Lodge, however, manages to get it right, offering super high-quality marijuana deals at a value price that they guarantee to be the lowest you’ll find.

They offer a different daily special each day of the week, like Monday’s BOGO 50% off edibles deal and a 15% off discount on vape products every Friday. That’s not the limit to their deals, though. You can save even more by using The Lodge Cannabis dispensary coupons which you can find on the Cannasaver website. The dispensary changes their deals and offers new specials frequently, so you’ll have to look on there to find the very newest marijuana deals. Often, The Lodge Cannabis coupons on Cannasaver can save you as much as $50 on your marijuana or concentrates purchase. You’ll usually find coupons for $92 ounce deals, $40 quarters of mix-and-match connoisseur marijuana strains, wax and shatter grams for $18, and other great deals. Right now, you can find a coupon for a $99 ounce of the Bear Dance strain, a flavorful, well-balanced hybrid crossing Snowcap and Kush.

If you’ve never been to The Lodge Cannabis, you should definitely check it out. If you’re going to the Lodge dispensary on Federal, I recommend making an adventure of it with a stop by one of Denver’s best Asian markets along the way. The S. Federal Blvd. dispensary is near the Denver Far East Center, a shopping center that features authentic Asian restaurants, unique gift stores, bakeries, a grocery, and other interesting goods and services. You can do a little shopping, then head down Federal for less than a mile to find The Lodge Cannabis dispensary at 82 S. Federal Blvd. This location only sells recreational marijuana, though, so if you need medical marijuana deals, you’ll have to visit the dispensary near City Park at 3944 N. High Street, which serves medical as well as recreational clientele. The High Street dispensary is only one-tenth of a mile away from The Lofts at Denver Rock Drill Works, about three miles from City Park, and about two miles from Mercury Cafe. It’s as easy to access via public transit as is their dispensary on Federal near Denver Far East Center.

While you’re at the dispensary, look for The Lodge Cannabis coupons and deals on Cannasaver. Just use your phone to pull up the Lodge dispensary coupon deal you want, and show it to the budtender to get huge savings on your marijuana products from buds to edibles to concentrates to glass and other accessories. Cannasaver dispensary coupons are always easy to use, and  free of annoying pop-ups and spam ads. All you’ll find is great weed deals and coupons from dispensaries nearby that you can trust.

The Lodge Cannabis is one of the best dispensaries in Denver, and Cannasaver is proud to bring you their best deals daily. Stop by today and tell them the Savvy Stoner sent you!

Hybrid Weed Pros and Cons

Posted by CANNASaver on Tuesday, 22 September 2020 in Canna Blog

Sativa vs. Indica vs. Hybrid Which Strain Is For You?

 

Medical marijuana patients and recreational cannabis users are often in the dark about pot strains and their effects on the human body. If you think all flower is the same, here are a few highlights that should help anyone navigate the growing variety of weed available for purchase and use.

 

The cannabis plant has a family of produce that have various properties which result in various effects in the brain and body.  Sleepy, drowsy and couch parked are typically the results of Indica dominant cannabis while energy, upliftment and focus are typical of Sativa dominant cannabis strains. Indica heavy strains are felt more within the body while Sativa dominant strains are felt more in the head.

 

There is another class of cannabis known as Hybrid. Actually, all cannabis strains are a type of hybrid. Hybrid of course meaning "it goes both ways" or "middle," to make it easier.  Hybrid strains can be 50/50 or 60/40 or any variation of percentages thereof.  A 50/50 Hybrid means that the flower is 50 percent Indica and 50 percent Sativa so you can expect to have a head and body high simultaneously.

 

There are literally thousands of different types of cannabis plants being bred and tested.  Many strains are cross-bred to certain specifics to create private label ganja.  No doubt you've heard of the many celebrities that are getting into legal cannabis either by investment or self-branded product lines.  These savvy entrepreneurs have a strong base of technology at their fingertips to truly create naturally growing custom cannabis.

 

Cannabis Sativa plants grow much taller, and thinner with a smaller span. Sativa buds are thin and much longer in length than that of the indica. They are much less densely populated than the indica plant. Sativas have a very high level of THC and best for daytime use because if you're like most, you will feel a rush of energy after having a taste of sativa bud.

 

Cannabis Indica plants on the alternative are short, densely branched and have wider leaves. Indica strains are known for giving off a very strong odor and produce a very strong body high.  The Cannabis Indica high is often referred to as a "body buzz" and has beneficial properties such as pain relief, assisting with insomnia, and many others.

 

The  key differentiators between Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa include the height and stature, internodal length, leaf size and structure, bud size and density, flowering time, odor, smoke and effects. 

 

**

Here's a little quip from wiki: "During the 1970s, Cannabis indica strains from Afghanistan and Hindu Kush were brought to the United States, where the first hybrids with Cannabis sativa plants from equatorial areas were developed, widely spreading marijuana cultivation throughout the States."

 

**

 

Learning a little something new everyday!  Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Hybrid. Sounds like it's time for a little exploration.  Consume responsibly.

 

Enjoy the Now!

MrD.

Best Weed Deals in Los Angeles

Posted by CANNASaver on Monday, 23 January 2017 in Canna Blog

Los Angeles Weed Deals

If you're looking for the best weed deals in LA, you won't be disappointed. There are lots of dispensaries in LA and many offer dispensary deals on ounce specials, concentrates deals and more. Many of these dispensaries offer weed coupons on CannaSaver, and lots of LA dispensaries will even deliver your marijuana products right to your door. Here are some of the best LA dispensary deals you can find right now.

Best Dispensary Deals in LA

One good LA dispensary deal that can be found in LA is at Primo's Caregivers. They're a medical marijuana dispensary in East LA. They're offering 4 gram eighths with the coupon on CannaSaver. Primo's Caregivers is located on Whittier Blvd.

You can also find many great deals for first time patients. A first time patient is someone who is making their first purchase at a particular dispensary. You don't have to be new to buying weed, you just need to be new to the dispensary who is offering the deal.

One LA first time patients dispensary deal that's worth checking out is at ShowGrow. This downtown LA dispensary deal consists of a 5 gram eighth. Mr. Nice Guy also has a good deal going on buds in downtown LA, offering 3.5 gram top shelf eighths for just $25 with the CannaSaver coupon. Union Collective has a great first timers deal, too, with top shelf eighths priced at only $20. Union Collective is a medical marijuana dispensary in East LA. If you just want a gram or so, a good first time patients deal is at AMG Pre-ICO, an LA dispensary located on N. Sepulveda Blvd. They're offering a free gram of OG for any first time patient.

Best Ounce Deals in LA

If you're looking for LA ounce deals, you can find a good one right now at OGs and OZs. This East LA dispensary has an ounce deal for only $190 with the CannaSaver coupon. That's a $30 savings off their usual price.

LA Concentrate Deals

Concentrates include wax, shatter, oils, and other products made from THC and/or CBD extracted from the marijuana plant. Concentrates are also called dabs. If you're a first time patient at HHC Plus, you can get one of the best concentrates deals in LA. They have a DOGO special on all concentrates right now, meaning when you make a donation and procure any concentrates in any quantity, you will get an equal quantity absolutely free. HHC Plus is a pick up only dispensary in downtown LA.

 

LA Weed Deals Near Me

These are not all the dispensary deals out there, either. LA dispensaries are really stepping up their discounts this week, and there are simply too many to list here. For a complete look at Los Angeles weed deals and dispensary discounts this week, just go to CannaSaver and search by city or dispensary name to find all the best weed deals near me.

Happy toking!

How To Buy Marijuana Like a Pro

Posted by CANNASaver on Tuesday, 18 October 2016 in Canna Blog

How to Buy Weed Like a Pro

After working in a dispensary for a decent amount of time, it quickly becomes apparent that not everyone buys marijuana the same way. Some people will only ever buy ounces at a time, some people can’t let themselves have more than a gram at a time in their house for fear that they’ll smoke it all. This kind of buyer always makes me sad because even though I understand where they are coming from, most dispensaries don’t run any particularly strong sales on very small amounts, so I end up having to charge them far more over time than someone who comes in for an eighth every few days. And then you have customers who only buy large amounts or specific strains, still wasting money on small day to day purchases in between their favorite strains availability.

Strain availability seems to be kind of a hard thing to grasp for some people, I personally have been yelled at countless times because someone couldn’t rationalize the idea that marijuana has to be grown, cured, and tested before it can be released for consumption. Depending on the strain it can also take longer to grow or produce far less than some other strains a dispensary might have, which is why while it may seem like they are focusing on a strain you don’t particularly care for in reality your favorite just produces notably less per harvest. In this way you can’t really blame the people that stock up on their favorites, but as with anything too much of one strain is not necessarily a good thing.

I think it is very important to be fairly constantly changing what strains you smoke, of course everyone has a favorite but you stand to make your favorite hit you harder if you take a break from it for a bit. The more you smoke a specific strain, especially if you get it from the same dispensary, your body has a very good chance of slowly building up a tolerance to it, in some cases I’ve even felt that smoking different strains from the same dispensary can hit you weaker because they all use the same sort of nutrient cocktail. I recently visited another recreational state and found that even though I had purchased something considerably lower THC wise, the weed hit me very differently from any of the strains that I had been getting from my dispensary. This is nothing to do with the quality of the weed, it was simply something that my body had not gotten used to yet.

I am also a fan of getting out of your strain comfort zone. If you are someone who is constantly smoking the heaviest Indicas you can find but aren’t feeling the kick like you used to, switch to some Sativas. There are plenty of Sativa options that don’t carry with them the raciness some customers avoid, plenty of strains that will serve their purpose of kicking your receptors out of the rut they can get into. This goes for Sativa users as well, find a light Indica, something with uplifting body high instead of heaviness. You may find that when you go back to your Sativa standard it’s been given back some of the kick you missed.

So what does this mean all together? I recommend getting an eighth to a quarter of whatever strain you are looking at, anything more can start to degrade somewhat by the time you get to the end of your bag, jar, what have you. I just finished a half ounce of something and the first hit of the new strain was a phenomenal change. And most importantly, try new things. Don’t get upset when your spot is out of something you love, it may just be a chance for you to find a new favorite, and with so many dispensaries running specials on eighths there is always something new to be tried. 

These Five States Will Vote in November to Legalize Marijuana

Posted by CANNASaver on Tuesday, 06 September 2016 in Canna Blog

Five States to Vote on Recreational Marijuana this November

The November elections are rapidly approaching, and marijuana industry entrepreneurs are watching closely the results of initiatives in five separate states that would pave the way for recreational marijuana dispensaries and more widespread cannabis cultivation. Voters in Arizona, California, Nevada, Maine, and Massachusettes will decide whether or not marijuana possession, cultivation, and retail recreational marijuana dispensaries will become legal just as they are in Colorado, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and Washington D.C. Here is an overview of the different recreational marijuana legalization intitiatives for 2016 that will be decided on this November.

Arizona: Despite many challenges and obstacles along the way, Proposition 205 which would legalize recreational marijuana in Arizona has made its way onto the November ballot. A lawsuit that sought to block the measure from placement on the ballot was dismissed by the Superior Court of Maricopa County, and the Arizona Supreme Court upheld this decision after the challengers appealed. If voters approve the proposition, Arizona residents who are of adult age would be allowed to legally possess up to an ounce of marijuana, consume marijuana privately, and grow up to six marijuana plants. The proposition would also pave the way for retail recreational marijuana sales, imposing a 15% tax on cannabis sold at adult use marijuana dispensaries. The vote on the proposition is likely to be a close one. While a July poll showed only 39% of Arizona voters in support of marijuana legalization, the campaign in favor of Proposition 205 has raised a lot more money than the oppossition groups. The campaign for voting “yes” on Proposition 205 has amassed over three million dollars in donations, while the opposing campaign has raised less than one million. If Proposition 205 passes, revenues from taxes placed on retail marijuana sales will be utilized in part for education and public healthcare initiatives.

California: This November, California voters will decide on Proposition 64, titled the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. The proposition would allow for recreational marijuana sales and establish the right of citizens age 21 and over to grow up to six plants and posess up to an ounce of marijuana. A15% retail tax on recreational cannabis would be established, and a system for expunging the records of past non-violent marijuana convictions would be put into place. California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana, way back in 1996. If aproved, the taxes imposed on marijuana cultivation and sales could bring in over a billion dollars each year to California's strained budget, and could save the state millions by forgoing the expense of keeping non-violent marijuana offenders in prison. With millions more in fundraising donations raised by supporters and an August poll showing over 61% of California voters in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana, Proposition 64 is very likely to pass.

Maine: It was a rocky road, but Question 1 which would legalize recreational marijuana sales, possession, and cultivation within the state of Maine will be put into the hands of voters this November. When supporters of the measure first submitted the signatures required to place Question 1 on the ballot, over half of the signatures were invalidated which left the group falling short of requirements. They challenged the decision and the ruling was overturned. When the signatures were reexamined in April, it was found that there were enough valid signatures to get Question 1 on the November ballot. If Question 1 passes, Maine residents age 21 and older will be able to purchase or possess up to 2 ½ ounces of marijuana and grow up to 6 flowering marijuana plants at a time. It would also impose a 10% sales tax on recreational marijuana sales. With a March poll indicating only a little over 53% of voters in Maine in favor of legalization, the fate of Question 1 is unclear, but it's likely to be a close call whichever way voters decide.

Massachusetts: Voters in Massachusetts will decide on Question 4, which would legalize the possession of an ounce of marijuana, allow for the cultivation of up to six marijuana plants, and establish a sales tax for recreational marijuana sales. Although Massachusetts approved medical marijuana in 2012, the first medical marijuana dispensary in the state didn't open its doors until June of this year. That doesn't give voters much time to see the marijuana industry in action and gauge its potentials, so it may be tough for some people to make a decision on Question 4. While an April poll conducted by Western New England University found 57% of Massachusetts voters in favor of recreational marijuana legalization, a poll conducted in July by Gravis Marketing showed only 41% of Massachusetts voters in support of making recreational cannabis legal. If campaign finance is any indication of who the winning team is, Question 4 has a really good shot of passing. Supporters have raised nearly half a million, while the oppossition has collected virtually nothing. River Rock Wellness of Colorado is one of the top contributors to the campaign, donating $10,000 in support of Question 4.

Nevada: In Nevada, voters will decide on Question 2, would legalize the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana and allow adults to cultivate up to six marijuana plants. A 15% sales tax on recreational marijuana sales would be imposed, and consumption would be restricted to private areas which could include retail marijuana dispensaries. The tax revenue would be earmarked for use in the k-12 public education system. A poll conducted in July by a local news station found 50% of voters in support of Question 2, 41% oppossed, and 9% undecided, so it could really go either way and at this point, it's too close to call.

New Opportunities for Marijuana Businesses

The growing trend towards legalization opens the way for more marijuana businesses to thrive and profit. Entrepreneurs who are contemplating opening a marijuana dispensary, grow house, or other marijuana business in one of the five states who  are voting on recreational cannabis should look closely at each state's laws now to get an idea of all the details and regulations, and how to start the process of applying for a marijuana business license. States like Nevada will limit the number of marijuana establishments that can open up in any municipality if their legalization initiative passes, so business owners wishing to cash in will need to be ready to act quickly once the votes are counted. CannaSaver will keep you informed of the latest updates and elections results, so stay tuned.