Wednesday marks the first year of recreational marijuana in Washington state.
Sales so far have exceeded $250 million. Of that, the state made more than $65 million in taxes.
Beyond the tax money, Washington state has been able to prevent youth access to marijuana, according to Brian Smith with the Washington State Liquor Control Board.
It's also stopped the product from being diverted to the black market, he said.
“If you judge Washington by that measure, I would say that we’ve been very successful in creating the rules that govern that system,” Smith said.
As far as sales go, Smith said the state has exceeded projections.
“Washington’s market is established and it’s really only going to grow from here,” he said.
Washington lawmakers also passed a bill this session that will allow the state to tighten rules on the medical marijuana industry.
John Rosman
/Inside Main Street Marijuana in Vancouver, Washington.
Copyright 2015 Oregon Public Broadcasting
