The post For The First Time Ever, Marijuana Sales Top Liquor Sales in Aspen appeared first on High Times.
The fateful day is finally here: For the first time ever, marijuana sales top liquor sales in Aspen.
In 2017, marijuana dispensaries raked in a whopping $11.3 million in Aspen alone according to The Aspen Times. This marks a 16% increase from the $9.7 million reported in 2016. This is the first time in US history that marijuana has outsold liquor.
A Big Year For Mary Jane, A Bad Omen For Booze
The cannabis industry gets greener every year, but not without a price. In Colorado, weed sales reached $1 billion in the first eight months of 2017. The country as a whole is looking at $10 billion annually according to a report published by Arcview. In Aspen alone, marijuana was the no.1 fastest growing industry in the retail sector.
While this means great things for cannabis consumers, health enthusiasts and investors nationwide, it threatens liquor sales. According to a study published by Georgia State University, legalizing medical marijuana contributed to a 15% drop in alcohol sales over a ten year period (2006-2015).
Professor Alberto Chong, who co-authored the paper on this study, explains, “these two substances act as strong substitutes in the marketplace.” This held true even when factoring in demographic and economic considerations, such as income, age, and gender.
Liquor sales didn’t decrease in Colorado’s ski haven, it remained the same. Between 2016 and 2017, Aspen liquor sales remained at $10.5 million in estimated revenue. Though sizeable, even excluding the $130 million sold in restaurants and bars, liquor retailers remain wary considering the contrast between their lack