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The first day recreational pot went legal in Colorado, those flocking for a taste of legitimate weed were literally chilling out, recalls Dan Rowland.

“It was freezing out Jan. 1, 2014. It was not the kind of day you wanted to be hanging around outside, but there were lineups,” said Rowland, who advised Denver Mayor Michael Hancock on how to roll out legal pot in the metro area of 2.7 million people.

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“It was kind of crazy around here for a week, stores couldn’t keep product on the shelf.”

But Rowland said Calgarians feeling anxiety about bud suddenly going mainstream should figuratively chill out the way Denverites literally, then psychologically did after their dope D-day nearly five years ago.

“Within six months, even people who are against legalization will say, ‘OK, I barely notice it.’ It barely changes your day-to-day experience,” said Rowland, who’s been advising Canadian government and cannabis retailers.