Colorado marijuana sales total close to $1 billion in 2015

New state data shows that Colorado marijuana businesses sold nearly $1 billion in recreational and medical cannabis last year.

The Denver Post reports that the state Department of Revenue figures released Tuesday show that Colorado also collected more than $135 million in marijuana taxes and fees in 2015, with $35 million going toward school construction projects.

According to the data, marijuana shops sold $996 million of pot in 2015, an increase of about $300 million from the previous year. Totals for taxes and license fees also grew by about $59 million in the same time period.

In 2015, Colorado saw an increase in pot stores and more cities started allowing the businesses to open.

Recreational marijuana sales began in Colorado in January 2014.