Colorado Marijuana Sales Total Near $1 Billion In 2015

Brennan Linsley/AP
A customer pays cash for retail marijuana at 3D Cannabis Center, in Denver, May 8, 2014.
Photo: Marijuana Transaction Dispensary (AP)
Buying marijuana at 3D Cannabis Center in Denver.

The Denver Post reports that the state Department of Revenue figures released Tuesday show that Colorado also collected more than $135 million in marijuana taxes and fees in 2015, with $35 million going toward school construction projects.

According to the data, marijuana shops sold $996 million of pot in 2015, an increase of about $300 million from the previous year. Totals for taxes and license fees also grew by about $59 million in the same time period.

In 2015, Colorado saw an increase in pot stores and more cities started allowing the businesses to open.

Recreational marijuana sales began in Colorado in January 2014.