Massive crowds gather to indulge in 420 celebrations across Colorado

Marijuana enthusiasts took full advantage of their cannabis cravings Friday, as thousands of people gathered to celebrate 420 across southern Colorado.

“I’m so excited!” said Jessica Hallaham, who organized a booth selling CBD infused beauty products.

Hallaham is one of hundreds who came out to the Colorado Springs Event Center for 420 celebrations.

“It’s like a true form of freedom being able to do this,” she said.

The venue filled up with tattoo artists, holistic healing, clothes, and food booths.

But this date also drew attention to what’s not working in the industry.

“I’m concerned about the black market,” Hallaham said. “It’s horrendous, it really hurts the community, it raises costs for utilities, and you don’t know who’s growing and who’s not.”

Although, people are still in good spirits from a recent report released by the Cannabist where economists found Colorado has one of the fastest growing industries in the country.

“It’s always thriving,” she said.

The most recent figure for marijuana consumer spending totaled more than $235 billion dollars in 2016.