Colorado rang in the new year with state-legal recreational cannabis sales. Naysayers paid up on their pessimistic bets, and legalization supporters spent nearly $1 million dollars on pot in the first day of sales. The news is everywhere. Here are a few links:

PHOTOS: Legal recreational marijuana sales begin in Colorado
JAN 1 | Denver Post

Colorado smokers celebrate legal sales of marijuana – in pictures
JAN 1 | The Guardian

Colorado's legal recreational pot industry off to smoking start
JAN 1 | NBC News

Doors finally open to flood of Colorado cannabis buyers
JAN 1 | The Telegraph

Breckenridge, Silverthorne pot sales attract lines, music, cheers
JAN 1 | Denver Post

First state-licensed marijuana retailers to open Jan. 1 in Colorado
DEC 28 | Reuters

Washington state regulators released updated numbers showing nearly 5,000 applications have been submitted for pot business licenses. Here's some headlines from around the state:

24 pot licenses submitted for Tri-City area; many don't meet state requirements
DEC 28 | Tri-City Herald

Businesses seek licenses to sell marijuana
DEC 30 | Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle

Montesano marijuana retailer not yet reported by State
DEC 30 | KXRO Newsradio

Seizing opportunities with legalized marijuana
DEC 31 | Camas-Washougal Post-Record

Whatcom County marijuana business applications hit 227
DEC 31 | Tacoma News Tribune

Nearly 5,000 applications have come in for pot licenses
DEC 31 | Seattle Times

Yakima County logs 22 retail pot applications so far
Jan 2 | Yakima Herald

Marijuana application numbers growing
JAN 2 | Sequim Gazette

Kent medical marijuana operator applies for recreational pot license
JAN 2 | Kent Reporter

Bainbridge Pot Producer, Processor, and Retailer License Application Tally Grows
JAN 2 | Inside Bainbridge

Chehalis warehouse may become the state's largest marijuana farm
JAN 2 | KIRO 7 News

Point Roberts business applies for pot licence
JAN 3 | Delta Optimist

Center for Legal Cannabis seeks volunteers to help with the Legal Cannabis Week newsletter and other projects. I've been writing these Washington State weed updates for 61 weeks, and this is likely the last one I send before my daughter is born. So I definitely need help.

NEWS POSTER: Mostly I need help posting news that ends up in the "weekly review" in this newsletter. I usually filter Google Alerts and choose the news—about five articles a day—and you post them to the web site. Preferably, you will also summarize each news article in a simple "noun, verb, object" format that is encouraged by the admin site. This takes around an hour per day.

CALENDAR SCOUT: I would like to maintain an updated calendar that the cannabis community may freely use data from, and insert data into. Generally, all of us benefit when more people know what is happening in the community. You will help manage a Google calendar and locate Washington cannabis events through news, social media, and word of mouth.

Please email center@legalcannabis.us if you can help. And thanks.

Remember to verify meeting dates. Add this free data to your Google calendar, link directly to the ICAL, XML, or HTML formats, or get embed code for your own web site.

Do you know someone who should have access to add/edit events on this communal calendar?Contact Ben at center@legalcannabis.us. I'd appreciate the help.

Yakima I-502 Moratorium Hearing
WED JAN 8 @3:30PM | Yakima City Hall

Association of Cannabis Breeders and Growers meeting
WED JAN 8 @8PM (WEEKLY) | West Seattle Legion Hall

CCSE open meeting
THU JAN 9 @NOON | Seattle Creative Arts Center

Toni Fox invested one million dollars into her Denver dispensary.

Hannah O'Rourke prepared cannabis treats for Colorado's legal pot market.

Banking officials say state-owned banks won't work for legal pot.

Joel Dreeson says underage cannabis consumption could concern high school football coaches.

Professional athletes smoke pot sometimes.

Jeremy Jeffress received multiple suspensions over the years for using medical cannabis with a professional baseball contract.

Denver officials warned businesses against hosting private pot-tolerant parties.

Governor Rick Snyder signed a bill to legalize pharmacy pot in Michigan when the feds reschedule.

John Hudak calls 2014 a make-or-break year for legal pot.

Florida legislators plan a workshop on high-CBD cannabis for epileptic children.

Susan Squibb landed the Denver Post's pot advice position.

Pot tourism flourishes in Colorado.

Legal pot lovers pay higher prices on opening day.

Bob Young highlighted Washington's year toward legal cannabis.

Lawmen recommend keeping your weed in the trunk to avoid DUI charges.

Medical cannabis became legal in Illinois.

Forecasters predict a hazy year for legal pot in Washington State.

Oklahoma drug cops worry Colorado pot will move through the state.

Department of Defense warned soldiers against consuming legal pot.

Rep. Jared Polis praised legal cannabis sales in Colorado.

Carolyn Jones and William Smith started a cannabis staffing agency.

MassRoots raised $150,000 in funding for their cannabis social network.

Cannabis stocks surged as Colorado began legal pot sales.

Galesburg, Illinois considers reducing cannabis penalties.

President Horacio Cartes opposes cannabis legalization in Paraguay.

Washington State Department of Revenue reminded medical cannabis businesses to pay their taxes.

Yelm Police retired their drug dog because of legalization.

Pregnenolone modifies THC's effects, research suggests.

James Maral appealed to the California Supreme Court to disallow municipalities from banning medical cannabis home grow.

Cannabis tour companies flourish in Colorado.

Cannabis advocates mature as pot goes legal.

Governor Mario Cuomo intends to legalize medical cannabis in New York by executive action.

"I've been waiting for seven years for this and all I can do is smile. Now I’m going to go home, smoke it out of a bong and play video games."

— Alex Lovato on making the Colorado's first legal recreational pot

"Colorado has found an exit strategy for the failed drug war and I hope other states will follow our lead."

— Colorado NORML Executive Director Rachel Gillette on cannabis legalization

"Money-wise we are $1 million in personally, me and my family. Every asset we have is in this business."

— Colorado pot shop owner Toni Fox on the cost of her business

"I never thought this day would come. We had to try it. We haven't gotten high in, I guess, 35 years."

— Texas resident Tim Palermo on buying legal cannabis in Colorado

Center for Legal Cannabis fertilizes and strengthens the ground under advocates, entrepreneurs, regulators, and media professionals. Sign up for weekly updates at www.legalcannabis.us or by emailing center@legalcannabis.us or by writing PO Box 95227, Seattle, WA 98145. Email us to unsubscribe, or reach Ben via telephone at 206-335-9214.