Success of Legalized Pot Has Some States Intrigued

by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:34 AM ET, Wed August 5, 2015

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock

Marijuana tourism is on the rise in the U.S., and the success of states that have legalized the controlled substance for medical or recreational usage seems to be giving other states a new outlook on their stance against pot.

Mike Vasilinda of News4Jax.com revealed in a report that Florida lawmakers have made their way to Seattle along with representatives of several different states to talk about the success Washington has experienced since legalizing marijuana last year.

Despite state officials in Washington reporting that they only collect taxes on 10 percent of the marijuana sold - medical marijuana is untaxed - there are still many states that are reporting booms in tourism thanks to the legalization.

For example, Colorado has reported a 14 percent rise in visitors from outside the state since allowing the sale of marijuana 18 months ago. There are likely many reasons why tourism in Colorado climbed over the last year, but the impact of the abolished pot bans is undeniable.

With more industrial and retail spaces being used for the growth and sale of the controlled substance and tourists visiting certain states due to their stance on marijuana legalization, Colorado, Washington and several other states where medical marijuana is legal are seeing an uptick in visitors.

Since Washington legalized marijuana, the state saw an increase in visitors and money coming into the tourism department almost immediately. In the first year since the ban on the drug was lifted, the state has earned an impressive $65 million in marijuana tax revenue.

Washington Liquor and Cannabis Control Board's Randy Simmons told News4Jax.com, "People want to see what a marijuana grow looks like. People want to go and look at a marijuana retail store, whether they are buying or not. It's the ability to go and see something that has been illegal for so long."

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