Pennsylvania-based Tom Newmaster of FORCEpkg set out to explore the wild west for an exclusive series on the evolving business of legalized cannabis.
Medical marijuana is legal in my neck of the woods. But I wanted to observe the industry in full bloom, so I took a trip to Colorado where both medical and recreational cannabis have been legal since 2014. In four short years, the industry has matured rapidly—and the consumer along with it. In fact, when I approached the first dispensary, the door opened and, instead of young hipsters, out came a group of proper-looking adult women. Each carried a bag containing their favorite variety. Once I entered the store and began talking with the bud tenders, I got a real education on the state of the industry. I even dared to carry samples back with me across state lines—not weed, but packaging!