How legal cannabis is grown in Colorado

Denver, Colorado-based photographer Theo Strumer has long been involved in the legalization of marijuana. While working on an order at Colorado's largest marijuana dispensary, he asked to be allowed to spend a little more time at the location so he could focus more on the topic. “When you drive through Denver, it seems that marijuana warehouses and pharmacies are everywhere. I became interested in what was happening in these places, I wanted to study the gears that turn on the mechanism for delivering marijuana to customers. I think a lot of people don't even realize the magnitude of what's going on."

(Total 8 photos)

1. Most of the marijuana sold in Colorado is grown from clones—cuts of non-flowering plants. They are stored in a vegetative, non-flowering state. Every week they need to be watered by hand several times a day.

2. While working on this project, Strumer was given free rein. In the photo: D.S. Korugedo means "gardener".

3. Informational poster at the Medicine Man pharmacy in Denver.

4. “Before, when I asked someone to take a picture of him buying marijuana, I got a dry “no” in response. But now they willingly answer: “Why not? Now it's legal." In the photo: similar installations are needed to illuminate marijuana warehouses.

5. Strumer says that not much has changed since marijuana was legalized in Colorado, except for tax increases and media attention. Pictured: marijuana in a greenhouse. The photo is upside down.

6. "New pharmacies are popping up all over the city, maybe I've started to smell marijuana on the streets more often, but, in principle, that's it." Pictured: Benjamin "Chico" Suarez Jr. shows off a shelf of drying marijuana. After cutting, the plants are dried. All plants have special tags to make them easier to find.

7. Jessie Rodriguez (left) helps a customer choose a product.

8. Under Colorado state law, all marijuana products must be packaged in special packaging - a precaution against children.