On New Year’s Day of 2014, the first stores in Colorado opened to sell legal adult-use recreational cannabis. It was the result of a historical decision—to legalize the use and sale of recreational cannabis —made two years prior. Legal cannabis has changed our state, it has changed the perception of a once demonized substance, it has saved lives and as with anything, has brought forth a myriad of new issues and puzzles, on both the legal and social landscapes.

Nine states, and the District of Columbia, now allow the purchase of recreational cannabis, and 30 states in total allow medicinal cannabis. Colorado is at the core of a new industry, one that pulled in $1.5 billion in state sales in 2017. The fact of the matter being, legal cannabis is a new normal and an industry with exponential growth and wealth that affects all who live within its shadow.

This year, the Clarion is set to start its own adventure in cannabis, by forming a collegiate weekly newspaper column focused entirely on the legal cannabis industry and all of its intricacies and complexities. We seek to bring to light the issues and stories of this new industry, with a distinct focus on stories that directly affect and pertain to the student body of DU.

Cannabis is part of life in Colorado, and increasingly throughout the United States. It is as well a part of DU, and one that should not be shrouded in taboo. Our goal is to responsibly cover the issues that we already know and report on new issues as this industry continues to grow.

If you wish to contribute to this column, please email duclarioneditor@gmail.com. Submissions can run without a byline.