A year after retail marijuana stores opened in Colorado , sales hit nearly $ 700million as 17 tons of the recreational buds were bought by consumers in the state 's first year of full legalization . However sales for medicinal pot still outstripped the recreational sales by almost 50 tons , according to officials . In its first annual report , it was revealed that 49.7 tons ( 109,578 pounds ) of medical marijuana flowers were sold in 2014 , while 17.5 tons ( 38,660 pounds ) were sold in the retail market , said the Colorado Department of Revenue 's Marijuana Enforcement Division . A year after retail marijuana stores opened in Colorado , 17 tons of the recreational buds were bought by consumer ( above Tyler Williams of Blanchester , Ohio selects marijuana strains from the 3-D Denver Discrete Dispensary in December 2014 ) In its first annual report , it was revealed that 109,578 pounds ( 49.7 tons ) of medical marijuana flowers were sold in 2014 , while 38,660 pounds ( 17.5 tons ) were sold on the retail market , said the Colorado Department of Revenue 's Marijuana Enforcement Division . Sales hit nearly $ 700 million last year , with medical marijuana accounting for $ 386million and recreational pot bringing in $ 313million . But recreational sales of pot-infused edible products , such as candies and cookies , outstripped medical sales by about 2.85million units to 1.96million , according to the report . In total , 4.81million units of edible marijuana were sold - which would equal giving one edible to almost every resident in Colorado , according to 9News . In a national first , voters in Colorado and Washington state opted to legalize recreational marijuana use by adults in landmark twin ballots in 2012 , and the first retail stores opened in Colorado on January 1 , 2014 . States such as Oregon and Alaska , which have now also voted to legalize recreational pot as well as others where lawmakers face proposals to do so , are watching the Colorado results closely . Recreational sales of pot-infused edible products , such as candies and cookies , outstripped medical sales by about 2.85million units to 1.96million , according to the report ( above a info-graphic created illustrating the findings from the report ) Findings also showed that 322 retail stores were licensed at the end of the year , up from about 200 six months earlier , while 833 licenses were issued to retail businesses in general , and 1,416 medical marijuana businesses were approved by the state . It said medical businesses were cultivating around 300,000 marijuana plants on average each month during 2014 , while the number of retail plants rose steadily from fewer than 25,000 in January to nearly 217,000 during December . The report noted that more than twice as many Colorado jurisdictions had 'completely opted out ' of allowing either retail or medicinal pot businesses to operate than had permitted them . The state 's marijuana laws have been challenged in federal court by neighboring Nebraska and Oklahoma , which argue weed is smuggled across their borders . Some Colorado residents said the pot industry has hurt their families , businesses or property values . Sixty-seven jurisdictions allow medical and retail licensees , 21 permit only medical , and five only retail , while 228 jurisdictions prohibit them both . The state 's marijuana laws have been challenged in federal court by neighboring Nebraska and Oklahoma , which argue weed is smuggled across their borders . Some Colorado residents said the pot industry has hurt their families , businesses or property values . Supporters said voters have chosen to take the trade out of the hands of criminals , and a Quinnipiac University Poll this week showed that 58 percent of Colorado residents support marijuana legalization , versus 38 percent against it .
Medical marijuana accounted for $ 386million of sales and recreational pot brought in $ 313million in 2014 , according to annual report . 49.7 tons of medical marijuana flowers were sold , while 4.81million units of edible marijuana were purchased last year . Voters in Colorado and Washington opted to legalize recreational marijuana use by adults in landmark twin ballots in 2012 . first retail stores opened in Colorado on January 1 , 2014 .