Big things are happening in the little county of Pueblo, Colo. Four years ago, the commissioners of Pueblo County signed off on laws to regulate the recreational marijuana industry. Now, the community has come together to form a planning board for the National Marijuana Museum. The pro-recreational marijuana community announced plans for the museum after their most recent win over proposition 200. This proposition would have illegalized recreational marijuana use, undoing the newly found industry. Jim Parco, a spokesperson for VOTE NO on 200, made the announcement shortly after the proposition was decisively defeated on Nov. 8.
“The citizens of Pueblo County have spoken and their message is clear,” Parco announced. “They have seen the positive impacts that the regulated, retail marijuana industry has had in Pueblo County. We were the first to legalize, regulate. With our community’s rich history tied to marijuana, it is only fitting that The National Marijuana Museum should be located here—to be owned by the people, for the people.”
Pueblo County earned $500,000 in tax revenue in the first year of recreational marijuana sales. In 2014, the country imposed a new tax that will fund college scholarships. In 2016, $750,000 was awarded to 25 Pueblo high school students.
According to the Pueblo Chieftain, a site for the museum has not been chosen. The community organizers would like to open the museum in the summer of 2018.
“With Pueblo County as the leader in the national legalization effort, it is now time to lead the effort on improving education and knowledge of marijuana’s rich history—scientifically, socially and culturally. And we’re going to do it right here in Pueblo, Colorado,” said Branson Haney, chair of the planning committee.
While Pueblo is significant in the history of recreational marijuana legalization, Colorado College first-year Alex Shapiro believes a bigger city would be more fitting.
“I feel like it’s a good location because of the history but I don’t think it will get as much attention as it would if it was in Denver,” said Shapiro. Shapiro thinks a National Marijuana Museum is a good idea, citing the informative possibilities associated with a museum.
“There are a lot of preconceived notions around the industry and a museum wouldn’t hurt anything. It’s better for people to be educated,” said Shapiro.
Despite the small-town setting, first-year Ian O’Shaughnessy believes it is an appropriate place for the museum.
“I think it would be a good location because Colorado was one of the first states to legalize [recreational marijuana],” said O’Shaughnessy. “It’s a big national movement so I think a national museum is fitting.”
First-year Fritzy Swearingen is less concerned with the location and more concerned with timing. “Maybe it isn’t the best time right now,” he? said. “After those propositions the town might just become more divided with something like this and it isn’t history yet.” Swearingen believes that a National Marijuana Museum may be more fitting after marijuana is legalized in every state.