Big Turnout for Washington Forum on Marijuana Sales

Heady changes

Voters thought checking "yes" on Initiative 502 would quickly legalize marijuana, but more than two months after it passed, plenty of red tape stands between the public and easy access to their green.

The state wants to have stores licensed and ready for business by Dec. 1. But to get there, they are opening up bidding for consultants to show them how the pot business is done.

State officials also announced plans to hire a "pot czar" with a minimum salary of $80,000.

The swords have become plowshares.

"It's a very emotional thing for me. It's been a war for 40 years. The war's over. We won. We won," said John Escola.