Colorado Springs voters to decide if city will allow the recreational sale of marijuana

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- One ballot measure many are watching closely on election night is the push to legalize and tax recreational marijuana sales in Colorado Springs.

Despite marijuana going recreational statewide in 2012, Colorado Springs has only ever allowed medical marijuana.

Ballot measures 300 and 301 aim to legalize recreational marijuana sales and tax that at 5%.

The citizen-led group Your Choice Colorado Springs, which secured the signatures to get this initiative on the ballot, said they expect the tax would bring in millions of dollars a year.

They also claim that money would go towards improving public safety and providing mental health services.

However, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers has been vehemently against the legalization of recreational marijuana sales for years.

Suthers claims it would hurt the city's relationship with the military and that Colorado Springs would suffer from more illegal activity and homelessness.

If recreational marijuana sales are legalized, the 115 cannabis stores that are currently allowed to sell medical marijuana will be the only dispensaries allowed to sell recreationally.