“The return of the training academy for Colorado Springs firefighters this week is due to the tax revenue the city has generated from recreational marijuana sales.”

“The city canceled the academy as the Fire Department’s primary budget cut heading into this year, but Mayor Yemi Mobolade and the Colorado Springs City Council agreed to provide the department $1.3 million from the marijuana sales tax fund to get the academy back on the books.”

“In Wednesday's budget markup session, the city council gave initial approval to the mayor's proposal to put $3.2 million of that marijuana money towards public safety, investing in new technology for police and a training academy for the fire department. Council also agreed to put $700,000 toward the Downtown Clean and Safe program and $200,000 toward mental health services. Voter-approved ballot language around the marijuana sales tax requires the money to be spent between these three things. “

“Today marks a significant change in Colorado Springs as businesses are now permitted to sell recreational marijuana. Although Colorado has had legal recreational cannabis for years, this was previously banned within Colorado Springs city limits.”

The Colorado Springs City Council attempted to override voter intent to allow recreational cannabis sales but they were overruled by the courts.

“A decade after Colorado legalized marijuana, it appears the voters of Colorado Springs have approved the sale of recreational marijuana in the city. This comes after Colorado Springs voters answered two dueling ballot questions on marijuana, whether to ban the sale of recreational pot for good or to legalize its sale.”