DENVER | Two states -- Washington and Colorado -- have passed laws paving the way for the legal sale and purchase of recreational marijuana for adults.

Although the drug is still illegal in the eyes of the federal government, many people are anticipating a major economic boom when Colorado's recreational sales begin in January.

Recently, the Obama administration announced federal authorities would not target states that have enacted such laws if they are able to maintain strong regulatory and enforcement procedures that prevent the distribution of marijuana to minors and stop criminal enterprises and drug cartels from benefiting from the sales.

The economic effects of Colorado's new law are also being felt far away. We traveled to Colorado, California and Ohio to see how entrepreneurs, pot users and politicians are gearing up for the new changes. Meet some of the folks in our story and the roles they play: