For more than 70 years, the sale of marijuana for recreational use has been illegal in the United States. But that ban, as it has existed for decades, ended on Jan. 1, 2014 in Colorado.
The historic first, legal sales of recreational marijuana to those 21-and-older began at select dispensaries in Colorado -- the first state in the nation, and the first government in the world, to control and regulate a legal recreational marijuana industry.
We asked our Facebook fans -- mostly over the age of 50 -- whether they thought legal pot shops were a good idea for the rest of the country. And we were inundated with a wide range of responses. Some people were adamantly against the idea -- while others insisted marijuana is a lot less harmful than alcohol.
Here's what folks had to say. Have anything to add? Let us know in comments.
2) "I'm just wondering about driving on the streets with all those who are driving in another dimension!" said Debbie Gregorio Sottile.
3) "Yes! About time! The world should learn from Colorado. It will definitely diminish small crime and less petty work for the police force! ***** stars for Colorado! A beautiful place!" said Astra Vauxhall Byhre.
5) "I think it's about time! And about time to stop wasting money and resources on this War on Drugs. An epic failure anyway," said Wendy Noble.
6) "It's embarrassing to be known at the pot and shooting state when it's so much more wonderful than these descriptors," said Denice Loritsch.
8) "The confusing part for me is that we are trying to get people to stop smoking tobacco because of emphysema and lung cancer but we are okay with pot smoking being legal. It doesn't make sense," said Anita Skeets Rogers.
11) "YES! I am 56 years old and it should be available to all. Alcohol is the killer," said Diane Daly.