Colorado’s green dreams for marijuana are going up in smoke 12 years after legalization

By Emily Hallas

Published June 13, 2024 4:01pm ET

Some Coloradans are warning other states not to follow its lead in legalizing marijuana, pointing to a declining cannabis market and a rise in public health concerns.

When Colorado became the first state to legalize the recreational use of cannabis in 2012, the drug’s proponents said the move would expand economic growth. For years, it seemed they were right.