8 months ago
27
(NewsNation) — For the archetypal clip successful Colorado's 11 years of recreational marijuana legalization, Denver's marijuana income and gross are consistently dropping.
City information shows the descent began successful the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the archetypal driblet recorded successful 2021. Compared to 2020's all-time precocious aesculapian and retail income of $715 million, the archetypal 7 months of 2024 person raked successful a measly $180 million.
Revenue goes manus successful manus with these numbers. Since 2021's highest gross of $72.9 million, nett has been consistently harder to travel by. 2022 raked successful $56.2 million, portion 2023 recorded lone $48.5 million.
Shannon Donnelly, an adjunct prof of cannabis astatine the Metropolitan State University of Denver, told NewsNation section affiliate KDVR that Denver's dispensaries indispensable present accommodate in-state purchases alternatively than traveler traffic.
“It’s nary longer you tin conscionable marque a dispensary and go rich,” Donnelley said. “You person to person thing that differentiates yourself."
Another Denver Department of Excise and Licenses spokesperson told KDVR that, since the pandemic, Colorado consumers mightiness beryllium budgeting much — and marijuana is nary longer making the cut.
Eric Escudero, spokesperson for the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses, echoed Donnelley's connection astir proviso and request successful an interrogation with Scripps News.
"Because legalization has dispersed crossed the United States, little radical are coming to Denver to devour and acquisition marijuana," said Escudero. "[Businesses are] going to person to adapt."
According to DISA Global Solutions, which helps businesses with cause investigating needs, marijuana is ineligible connected immoderate level successful a immense bulk of the states, with 25 boasting a "fully legal" status.
