During the campaign to legalize recreational MJ in CO, one frequent argument (with an appealing libertarian echo) was, "If you don't like MJ, don't buy it! Oh, and the state will reap a tax windfall." There was an implicit promise that the state wouldn't promote MJ, they'd just get out of the way of commerce between consenting adults.

Now that the state is addicted to the tax revenues they're no longer considered a "windfall"; they're a necessary part of the revenue stream. As CO struggled to close a budget gap (a constant challenge in every city/state/country) they had a choice to cut costs or try to increase revenue with active, state promotion of MJ sales. Guess what they chose? Guess what they will always choose?

This isn't a Colorado thing; your state will follow the same path.