colorado's booming marijuana economy saw pot businesses generate a record amount in tax in january 2015 much of this money is earmarked to be spent on the state's public schools data from colorado's department of revenue shows that the retail marijuana excise tax, which is set at a rate of 15%, raised over $23 million in revenue for the public school system that month in january 2014 the schools pot tax raised only raised $195,318 a public school bus pictured in front of the colorado state capitol building a 15% excise tax on marijuana sales goes towards funding the state's schools  in november 2013 residents of colorado voted for a 10% sales tax and a 15% excise tax on recreational marijuana sales at licensed stores around the state  approximately $364 million of recreational marijuana was sold in january compared to about $1469 million sold the same month last year in november 2013 residents of colorado voted for a 10% sales tax and a 15% excise tax on recreational marijuana sales revenue also comes from a standard sales tax, as well as license fees the total of all marijuana taxes, licenses, and fees for january 2015 was $ 8,802,295, up from $3,519,756 in 2014 an increase of 1501% revenue not allocated to schools goes to fund police training, substance abuse programs and medical research initially only 40 stores were licensed to sell marijuana, but that number has grown to over 320 statewide  the impressive increase in revenue is likely to be most influenced by the number of stores that opened later in 2014 initially only 40 stores were licensed to sell marijuana, but that number has grown to over 320 statewide sales of marijuana fluctuate month to month with the numbers of tourists in state the denver post reported colorado legalized the recreational use of marijuana for those over the age of 21 on january 1, 2014, provided it is bought at licensed stores in a similar way to alcohol medical marijuana had already been legalized in 2000 since colorado's decision to allow the use of marijuana, similar legislation has passed in alaska, oregon and washington, dc in december 2014, uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize marijuana colorado legalized marijuana for those over the age of 21 on january 1, 2014, but medical marijuana had already been legalized in 2000  since colorado's decision to allow the use of marijuana, similar legislation has passed in alaska, oregon and washington, dc, and uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize pot in december 
oregon washington dc department of revenue month to month january 2014 alaska 15% colorado 10% 2014 this january
colorado's department of revenue reported that pot tax revenue raised for public schools this january is 10 times higher than january 2014  colorado has a 10% sales tax and 15% excise tax on pot sales   the excise tax revenue is designated for schools  the huge increase is due to the large number of pot shops that opened up over the course of 2014   there are now over 320  sales and revenue fluctuate month to month with the number of tourists visiting the state  alaska, oregon and washington dc have since passed legislation legalizing marijuana 