UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 02: Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., conducts a news conference with members of the House Democratic conference in the Capitol Visitor Center on immigration reform. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Vowing to pursue marijuana legalization on a federal level, Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) praised the regulation of marijuana in Colorado after the first legal sales of recreational pot began in the state on Wednesday.

"By regulating marijuana like alcohol, Colorado voters hope to reduce crime and keep marijuana away from kids," Polis said in a Jan. 1 statement. "I applaud Colorado's efforts to implement the will of the voters and will continue my work to pass H.R. 499 to regulate marijuana like alcohol federally."

Polis introduced H.R. 499 in February. He tweeted about his efforts on Dec. 31, one day before the first legal pot sale in Colorado:

I'm continuing my efforts to pass HR499, formally allowing states to regulate sale of #marijuana without having to worry about the Feds — Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) December 31, 2013

Interesting factoid: HR499 draft bill came back w odd spelling: "marihuana" I insisted spelling be changed to the customary "marijuana" — Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) December 31, 2013

In March, Polis said his ties with marijuana were "a great association," National Journal reported. Polis' campaign headquarters were located in the same building as a pot dispensary.

In August, Polis praised the Department of Justice for choosing not to sue Colorado and Washington over their marijuana legalization laws, saying he was "thrilled" by the decision.