Recreational pot shops open in Colorado

Joe Rey, a grower at 3D Cannabis Center, waters marijuana plants at the company facility in Denver, Colo., Dec. 31, 2013.

Proprietors of the first marijuana retailers licensed to sell pot for recreational use in Colorado, including 3D, were busy rolling joints and stocking shelves with their leafy merchandise on Tuesday, ahead of a New Year's Day grand opening that marks a new chapter in America's drug culture.

Northglenn

Danielle Hackett prepares marijuana buds for sale at BotanaCare in Northglenn, Colo., Dec. 31, 2013.

Northglenn

Danielle Hackett prepares marijuana buds for sale at BotanaCare in Northglenn, Dec. 31, 2013.

Northglenn

A bag of marijuana being prepared for sale sits next to a money jar at BotanaCare in Northglenn, Dec. 31, 2013.

Denver

The roots of marijuana plant clones are seen at a grow operation in Denver, Dec. 31, 2013.

Denver

A thriving marijuana plant is seen at a grow operation in Denver, Dec. 31, 2013.

Denver

Marijuana plants with the strain name of "Death" are seen at a grow operation in Denver, Dec. 31, 2013.

Northglenn

Cheri Hackett, co-owner of BotanaCare, carries bags of the company's sample packs of various strains of marijuana prepared for the store opening tomorrow in Northglenn, Dec. 31, 2013.

Northglenn

Troy McIntyre, a worker at BotanaCare, prepares bags of the company's sample packs of various strains of marijuana prepared for the store opening tomorrow in Northglenn, Dec. 31, 2013.

Northglenn

Informational brochures are prepared for the Botanacare marijuana store opening on New Year's day in Northglenn, Dec. 31, 2013.

Northglenn

Various marijuana strains are prepared at the Botanacare marijuana store for their grand opening on New Year's day in Northglenn, Dec. 31, 2013.

Northglenn

Skylar Hall prepares marijuana buds for sale at the Botanacare marijuana store ahead of their grand opening on New Year's day in Northglenn, Dec. 31, 2013.

Northglenn

Marijuana buds are packaged for sale at the Botanacare marijuana store ahead of their grand opening on New Year's day in Northglenn, Dec. 31, 2013.

Northglenn

A woman displays a design for a t-shirt at the Botanacare marijuana store ahead of their grand opening on New Year's day in Northglenn, Dec. 31, 2013.

Northglenn

A worker rolls marijuana joints for sale at the Botanacare marijuana store ahead of their grand opening on New Year's day in Northglenn, Dec. 31, 2013.

Northglenn

A worker rolls marijuana joints for sale at the Botanacare marijuana store ahead of their grand opening on New Year's day in Northglenn, Dec. 31, 2013.

Northglenn

A worker rolls marijuana joints for sale at the Botanacare marijuana store as co-owner Robin Hackett (right) walks by, ahead of their grand opening on New Year's day in Northglenn, Dec. 31, 2013.

Northglenn

Various marijuana strains are prepared for sale at the Botanacare marijuana store ahead of their grand opening on New Year's day in Northglenn, Dec. 31, 2013.

Northglenn

Grower Steve Jenkins checks out his marijuana plants at the Botanacare marijuana store ahead of their grand opening on New Year's day in Northglenn, Dec. 31, 2013.