Colorado Celebrates 50 Years of Legal Weed
DENVER — April 20, 2065
Nearly 52 years after Colorado legalized recreational marijuana in January 2014, thousands of Coloradans came together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of legalization this weekend — though most couldn’t quite remember why they were there.
The event, dubbed “Highway to History,” featured live music, food trucks, and what organizers called “a world-record attempt at the world’s slowest wave.” The wave began around noon on Friday and, according to witnesses, finally reached the other side of the park sometime Sunday afternoon.
Governor Jade Martinez addressed the hazy crowd, saying, “It’s hard to believe it’s been 50 years. Or 52. Or maybe 48? Anyway, time is… pretty weird, man.” The crowd erupted in applause, although some attendees later admitted they were just clapping because everyone else was.
Vendors offered retro-themed edibles from the early days of legalization, including original 2014 “Space Brownies” preserved in vacuum-sealed nostalgia packs. Local authorities reminded attendees not to eat more than one square inch per hour, but reports suggest that few people remembered that advice — or any advice — after sunset.
The celebration also included a “Then and Now” museum exhibit, showcasing artifacts from the pre-legalization era, such as hand-carved pipes, Bob Marley posters, and a “Just Say No” D.A.R.E. T-shirt ironically priced at $420. Proceeds from the exhibit will fund “future research on remembering what you were just talking about.”
Traffic in downtown Denver was minimal, largely because most drivers forgot where they parked. “We’re just vibing,” said one attendee as he slowly turned in a circle. “Pretty sure I came with friends, but… they might be part of the music.”
The event concluded with a massive smoke cloud that drifted across the Rockies and briefly set off air-quality alerts in neighboring states. Wyoming officials issued a warning about “contact highs,” though most residents reported feeling “unexpectedly chill” for the first time in years.
About Colorado
Founded in 1876 and redefined in 2014, Colorado remains the nation’s premier destination for breathtaking mountains, craft breweries, and people who have been “five minutes away” from leaving since 1972. The state continues to lead the country in innovation, wellness, and snack-related supply shortages. Colorado officials plan to hold the next major celebration in 2076 — or possibly next weekend, depending on how quickly the munchies wear off.
Originally filed: October 14, 2025 | Reprinted from the archives of Future Report 2065