By Ana Campoy | The Wall Street Journal
Colorado lawmakers passed the first U.S. laws regulating a recreational pot market, setting the stage for marijuana sales to anyone 21 and older starting next January.
The two marijuana-related bills approved Wednesday come after a lengthy and controversial process in which pot-business owners, law-enforcement agencies and public-safety advocates had a hand. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is expected to sign them into law by June 7.
“We’ve been embarking in unchartered territory for six months trying to get the most robust regulations we can to keep this out of the hands of kids and cartels,” said Rep. Dan Pabon, a Denver Democrat involved in drafting the measures.
Colorado is one of two states where voters approved the social use of marijuana last November, drawing applause from marijuana activists and criticism from antidrug advocates who worry that legalization might encourage underage use. The other is Washington state, where regulators are still crafting rules.
