Last year’s bids brought in $45,410 for Coloradans with disabilities
For the second year in a row, Colorado is taking bids on 22 limited license plates with cannabis-friendly tags like “BLUNT,” ”420,” and “MRY JANE.” Last year’s inaugural auction pulled in $45,410, thanks to plates like “BONG” and “GREEN” going for over $3,500 each.
This year’s bidding has been online since April 1 and will stay open until 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20. The Colorado Disability Funding Committee will use proceeds from this year’s auction to support innovative new programs that improve quality of life and independence of people with disabilities. Family Voices CO received a grant after the 2021 auction, which was used to launch a pilot program for 12 children experiencing deaf-blindness.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to provide grant funding to not-for-profit and for-profit organizations that serve people with disabilities. I’m thrilled to continue to support the efforts of the Colorado Disability Funding Committee.”
Colorado Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera
The highest bid in 2021 was ”ISIT420,” which went for $6,630. ”TEGRIDY,” an ode to a fictional weed company on Colorado-based comedy South Park, generated the most buzz, earning $4,930 after 151 bids.
Last year, The Mile High State set a US record for legal cannabis sales, raking in $2.22 billion in fiscal year 2021. Since legalizing in 2012, the state has collected over $2 billion in tax and fee revenue from $12 billion in sales, with $538.7 million going to Colorado public schools as of March 2022, according to the Marijuana Policy Project.
These are the license plates available for this year’s auction
- CBD
- GOTHEMP
- 420 *comes with 42O (oh not zero) for half of winning bid.
- 710
- BLUNT
- BONGWTR
- CANABIS
- CO2
- DABBING
- EDIBLE
- GOT OIL
- HASH
- MRY JANE
- MORML
- RESIN
- TERPENE
- THC
- TOKER
- TRIM
- VISINE
- WAX
- WEED
As independent Colorado outlet Westword pointed out, these plates will probably look better on your wall than on your vehicle. Colorado just launched a program on Monday that will help law enforcement recognize weed-impaired drivers. And we already know that some law enforcement agencies have a habit of abusing grey areas about the green to in legal states.
So even though the smell of cannabis alone is no longer solid probable cause for search in Colorado, or several other states, you might want to slow your roll before hitting the road with a plate that says “WEED.” The stoner plate auction announcement also came with a stern warning that it’s never a good idea to mix driving with cannabis, highlighting DUI consequences that include a $13,500 fine.
Cannabis is paying dues across Colorado
“For over a decade, Colorado has been a leader in the cannabis space, bringing bold, innovative and creative businesses to the state,” Gov. Jared Polis (D) said in a release about the auction. “This effort allows us to celebrate Colorado’s mile-high reputation and fund critical projects and programs in our disability community.”
The winning bidder of each Colorado weed plate will get exclusive rights to a novelty design with the letters/numbers they choose. Winners can save the rights to their plate for a later date, but they will have to pay registration fees and other costs if they want to show them off on the road. The buyer will also have the right to resell their plate rights through the Colorado Disability Funding Committee.
Don’t be surprised to see a bid from the Leafly News team before the auction closes on April 20. We have our eyes on the 420 tag, and the rules say the winner of that plate will have the option to reserve 42O (oh instead of zero) for half the price of the winning bid on 420. We normally wouldn’t show our hand, but we welcome a challenge from any high rollers who don’t mind burning green for a good cause.
Contact the Colorado Disability Funding Coordinator at soc_dfc@state.co.us or 303-900-7600 with any questions before April 20 auction.
