In Colorado, the drugs have begun to take hold. Since late 2012, when it became legal for people in the state over the age of 21 to possess marijuana, use of the drug has increased.

This is according to a recently published federal survey, performed and funded jointly by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). and the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ).  The survey contains data collected in 2012 and 2013 and is represented by an average of various estimates.

For over a year, since Amendment 64 to the Colorado constitution passed, recreational use of marijuana has been legal for adults in the state. They may use the drug without fear of arrest and even grow up to six plants at home. The law’s critics and proponents alike have watched closely to see the effects of the legalization. However, until now, it has been hard to quantify those effects.

According to the survey, the percentage of residents using the drug in Colorado is nearly the highest in the country, second only to Rhode Island. That conclusion is drawn from the survey’s most recent data and if true, represents a big jump. That is because the data from 2011-2012, measurements taken before state legalization, show Colorado down at seventh in the nation.

A closer look at the most recent data shows about one in eight Colorado residents over the age of 12 reporting they had used marijuana at least once in the previous month. That is equal to about 12.7 percent of the state population. For the 2011-2012 data, on the other hand, usage in the same age demographic was equal to about 10.41 percent of the population. That means a roughly 22 percent jump in usage in a single year and concludes that over half a million people in the state now use the drug at least once a month.

While the survey is significant because it represents some of the first data to be released measuring marijuana use in Colorado since its legalization, it is not the full picture. Since the survey does not include any data from 2014, it remains difficult to draw any firm conclusions about the effects of statewide commercial sale of the drug.

It was only on Jan. 1, 2014 that pot stores in Colorado were able to open their doors to the public and sell to adults 21 and over. That day, which enthusiasts dubbed Green Wednesday, saw hundreds of residents and tourists pour into over 40 stores to buy some of what will certainly be state history.

There are other conclusions to be drawn from the aforementioned federal study. For example, the survey found precisely no change in first time marijuana use nationally and only a small increase in Colorado (from 2.34 to 2.71 percent). Also, Colorado pot use went up across all age groups in the most recent data. Illicit drug use in general went up nationally, as well.

There is some concern that heavy daily usage of marijuana is increasing quite a bit, a conclusion drawn from other studies. For instance, the Marijuana Enforcement Division of Colorado funded a study that found that daily users of marijuana account for consumption of 67 percent of the pot used in the state.

Despite the increase, it is important to remember that Colorado citizens voted to legalize the recreational use  and state regulation of marijuana by a large margin. Amendment 64 to the Colorado constitution passed with 55 percent of the popular vote. When one considers the $43 million in tax revenue raised for the state within just the first 9 months of 2014, it is hard not to see the benefits. Not to mention the fact that local governments reportedly brought in millions more within Colorado. All this has happened with Colorado’s governor and the mayor of Denver as outspoken opponents to legalization.

There have been low points, which are also crucial to mention. For instance, the state is rushing to figure out how to regulate pot use in areas such as edibles, which came into sharp focus when marijuana test kits were made available to parents weary of the candy being passed out for Halloween.  Also, there was the college student who allegedly committed suicide due to the intense strength of an edible he consumed.

Yet, despite these perceived missteps, the country does not seem ready to turn around from the direction it is headed. At present, 30 states allow use of marijuana in a medical capacity and, including Colorado, four states plus Washington D.C. allow recreational use. Without the madness that once was so heavily attributed to “reefer,” it seems the U.S is ready to adopt a more practical approach to drug policy. Only time will tell.