A customer pays for cannabis products at Essence Vegas Cannabis Dispensary after the start of recreational marijuana sales began on July 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada joins seven other states allowing recreational marijuana use and becomes the first of four states that voted to legalize recreational sales in November's election to allow dispensaries to sell cannabis for recreational use to anyone over 21.

Denver marijuana sales reach record high of $587 million, sales across state continue to rise

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By Elise Schmelzer

Denver dispensaries sold more than $587 million in marijuana in 2017 even as sales in shops in other parts of the state continue to grow.

Retail sales totaled $377 million in Denver, according to the city’s annual report on the marijuana industry released Thursday. The city’s revenue from all marijuana sales in 2017 grew to $44 million, a 20 percent increase from the previous year.

Denver uses the money to pay for regulation of the marijuana industry, enforcement of its laws and drug education. It also helps pays for maintenance, affordable housing and opioid intervention.

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