Colorado Senate Approves Marijuana Bills

Step closer to implementing legalization

The Colorado Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to two new bills to implement marijuana legalization,inching the state legislature closer to becoming the first in the country to pass laws regulating recreational pot.

The two bills — one on rules for marijuana stores and another on taxes — must go back to the House for agreement with changes made in the Senate. Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker, said on the Senate floor there could be some "bounce back-and-forth" between the two chambers during the day on the final language of the bills. But, after the last major votes in the Senate, ultimate passage of both bills by the Wednesday night deadline now seems certain.