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"Residents and tourists alike are partaking in marijuana legalization in the Centennial State.\n\"The Colorado marijuana market is larger than previously thought,\" according to a study released Wednesday by state regulators. \nSee also: The Legal Stoner's Guide to Colorado's New Marijuana Law\nThe study, commissioned by the state and conducted by the Marijuana Policy Group, found that tourists are purchasing as much as 90% of retail marijuana in mountain towns.\nLocals are also doing their part to drive sales, though much of it is medicinal. State residents can purchase cheaper medical marijuana if they register for a card that the tourists are unable to get.\nThe study estimated the total resident and visitor demand for 2014 to be 130 metric tons. With the \"average\" joint containing half a gram, that amounts to more than 260 million joints. Most of that demand \u2014 about 121 metric tons \u2014 is from residents, while tourists are expected to buy about 9 metric tons.\nThat's \"substantially higher\" than previous estimates, according to the report. And it's tourists driving the big increases in retail sales in mountain towns.\n\nImage:  Marijuana Policy GroupThe state has collected $34.8 million in marijuana taxes and fees so far this fiscal year.\nIn April, the communications and marketing director at the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade told Mashable that the state had not seen any direct increase or decrease to the tourism industry because of legalization. The report does not shed light on how many travelers to Colorado are motivated to visit because of marijuana; however, it did find significant tax revenue from buyers with out-of-state IDs.\nState officials and established companies have been treading lightly when it comes to pot tourism. Ski resorts and park officials have been reminding tourists that smoking in public is illegal, as is driving under the influence. In most cases, marijuana is regulated like alcohol.\nThe report also reveals uncertainty for the future of the medical and retail marijuana markets.\n\"It is unclear how the two markets will interact after more retail stores are established and if retail prices eventually decline,\" the report states.\nThe future will have an impact on more than dispensaries and tax collectors. Companies hoping to profit from legalization are catering to marijuana-seeking travelers, with services ranging from arranged travel, like Colorado Green Tours which offers rides to and from the airport and pot-friendly accommodations, to an Airbnb spinoff called airTHC that connects 420-friendly locals with 420-seeking travelers.\nBONUS: The History of Marijuana in the U.S\n\nHave something to add to this story? Share it in the comments."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2014/07/10/colorado-marijuana-tourism/>