It turns out legalising marijuana in Washington wasn’t such a bad idea.

Who would have thought (a few people actually did) that making weed widely available in the state would not be catastrophic.

If you’re judging the decision based on money generated, it was certainly a good one.

Washington’s racked up more than $250 million (£160m) in marijuana sales in the past year from around 160 weed stores — roughly $62m (£39m) of which constitute marijuana excise taxes.

Packets of a variety of recreational marijuana named ‘Space Needle’ (Picture: AP)

That’s beyond the state’s original forecast of $36m (£23m).

And when state and local sales and other taxes are included, the total payday for the state and local governments tops $70m (£45m).

 SEATTLE (AP) — Washington launched its second-in-the-nation legal marijuana market with just a handful of stores selling high-priced pot to long lines of customers. A year later, the state has about 160 shops open, tax revenues have soared past expectations and sales top $1.4 million per day.

And who knows — the industry might even start making some money.

Washington pot farmers, processors and retailers have complained all year that heavy state and federal tax burdens, along with competition from an unregulated medical marijuana market, have made it difficult for them to do business.

Gov. Jay Inslee has signed into law a measure that reforms several elements of Washington state’s recreational marijuana law.

The bill signed Tuesday eliminates the current three-tier tax structure and replaces it with a single excise tax of 37 percent at the point of sale.

To encourage more cities and counties to allow marijuana businesses, the bill directs the state to share pot revenue only with jurisdictions that do so. It would also allow them to adopt more flexible zoning for where pot grows and stores can be located.

The passage of Initiative 502 in 2012 allowed the sale of marijuana to adults for recreational use at licensed stores, which started opening last year.

WASHINGTON — For all the aspiring and current spies, diplomats and F.B.I. agents living in states that have liberalized marijuana laws, the federal government has a stern warning: Put down the bong, throw out the vaporizer and lose the rolling papers.

It may now be legal in Colorado, in Washington State and elsewhere to possess and smoke marijuana, but federal laws outlawing its use — and rules that make it a fireable offense for government workers — have remained rigid. As a result, recruiters for federal agencies are arriving on university campuses in those states with the sobering message that marijuana use will not be tolerated.

YAKIMA, Wash. -- There are less than a dozen marijuana testing labs in the entire state. One lab opened in Yakima a year ago and today, they're still working on developing technology which could lead to some major scientific discoveries. Scientists are testing THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, and other chemical compounds.

Research advancements have made it more profitable for growers and retailers. New this year, a process which determines the sex of marijuana plants, soon after seeds have sprouted. 

"It frees up more space for more of the female plants, the desirable plants," said Analytical 360 Scientist, Max Rutter.

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - The Legislature on Saturday passed a measure that that makes several changes to Washington state’s new recreational marijuana law, ranging from revising the market’s tax structure to zoning rules.

One of the main changes to the current system would be the elimination of the three-tier tax structure and its replacement with a single excise tax of 37 percent at the point of sale.

House Bill 2136 passed the Senate on a bipartisan 36-7 vote and now heads to the governor’s desk. The House passed the measure Friday on a 59-38 vote.

An amendment that passed Friday in the House removed language from the original bill that would have required local bans on licensed marijuana businesses to be approved by the jurisdiction’s voters.

SEATTLE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2015 / The cannabis industry has become one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S. overnight, with several states legalizing medical and recreational marijuana, but the rapid growth hasn't come without its share of growing pains. Without a precedent in place, many states have failed to setup effective testing and labeling programs, creating a dangerous situation for many customers that can only be remedied by stricter standards and better testing.

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - The House on Friday passed a measure that makes several changes to the state's new recreational marijuana market, including eliminating the three-tier tax structure and replacing it with a single excise tax of 37 percent at the point of sale.

House Bill 2136 passed the House on a 59-38 vote and now heads to the Senate for consideration. An amendment that passed Friday removed language from the original bill that would have only allowed local bans on licensed marijuana businesses if approved by the jurisdiction's voters.

Portland police said Wednesday that Oregonians who travel to Washington to buy marijuana only to bring it back into the state are "not an issue" as long as they stick with what the law allows them to possess.

Starting July 1, anyone 21 and older may possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana away from home and up to eight ounces at home. 

Oregonians shopping for cannabis in Washington are nothing new. May sales data released by the Washington Liquor Control Board showed that one Vancouver shop sold more marijuana than any other shop statewide -- thanks in part to Oregonians, who made up about 50 percent of sales.

Portland police said the issue isn't on their radar.

Yet another sampling of marijuana products has found inaccurate labeling of potency.

A new article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that all but one of the 23 edible products bought in Seattle medical-marijuana dispensaries last year were improperly labeled. Most of the baked goods, beverages and candy contained less THC than their labels said. THC is the main psychoactive chemical in marijuana.