DENVER — Colorado’s pot shops made some big bucks in August as marijuana sales hit $100 million, according to state figures.
The record-breaking estimate was 70 percent higher than August 2014. The Colorado Department of Revenue showed recreational sales in August hit $59.2 million and medical sales topped off at $41.4 million.
“It’s been better than it has before,” said Joshua Garcia, a manager at Rocky Mountain High Dispensary in lower downtown.
Garcia said the summer months brought in a lot of out-of-state tourists who spent quite a bit on marijuana. Garcia said more than half of Rocky Mountain High’s business comes from out-of-staters.
“I think more people are realizing it’s not a big deal and that there is a source of income to be had — for various reasons,” Garcia said.
Marijuana tax money goes toward improving Colorado schools. Of the $100 million in pot sales from August, the state collected more than $13 million in licenses, taxes and fees.