The five-year anniversary of recreational marijuana sales in Colorado is right around the corner, and the city of Denver has sent out new stats detailing Denver’s marijuana market so far.
From 2014 to 2017, recreational marijuana sales in Denver topped $1 billion, according to a release from the city. From January through October of 2018, recreational sales were about $327 million.
Since 2014, recreational and medical marijuana sales combined have totaled $2.28 billion, and revenue in Denver from marijuana during that same time is more than $173 million, the release said.
$12.8 million of that money went to fund educational programs including funding for eight different youth diversion programs and training programs at 15 different Denver Public Schools focused on substance prevention programs.
The city also noted several budgeted investments from marijuana tax dollars in 2018 including:
- $5 million from marijuana revenue for deferred capital maintenance.
- $4 million from marijuana revenue to fix aging parks and recreation centers across the city.
- An estimated $8 million per year to support doubling Denver's Affordable Housing Fund.
As it stands right now, there are 216 locations in Denver where medical and/or recreational marijuana can be purchased.