Washington pot sales bring in more than $1M in taxes in first month on sales of nearly $3.8M

During the first month of legal marijuana sales in Washington state, stores sold just under $3.8 million, which is expected to bring in more than $1 million in state taxes.

A spokesman for the Washington Liquor Control Board says it appears the new industry is off to a healthy start, even though the system isn't fully up and running.

Although licenses have been issued for about 40 stores, only 18 were selling pot in July and 16 of them have reported sales so far in August.

Spokesman Brian Smith says most of those stores have not been open the full month since marijuana sales became legal in July.

During the first month of retail marijuana sales in Colorado, the state collected closer to $2 million in excise and sales taxes.