College paid for by marijuana

Since the first recreational legalization of cannabis in Colorado, a large amount of tax dollars raised by sales has gone to the construction of public schools and school projects in the state. A percentage also goes towards educating children about drug abuse and addiction, and by 2017 those tax dollars will also be used to fund college scholarships for kids whose parents cannot afford higher education. 

The county is expected to raise $3.5 million with this tax increase, and at least half the revenue will go toward funding scholarships for high school graduates in Pueblo to attend local colleges. Depending on revenue, the program might be expanded in future years.  

"The whole point of the scholarship program was to make higher education a reality for families who can't afford to send their kids to school because of debt," said Paris Carmichael, a spokesperson for Pueblo County.