LAS VEGAS — The crowd shouted, “Freedom!” as a local politician made Nevada’s first recreational marijuana purchase, his eyes glassy with tears of joy.

State Sen. Tick Segerblom, whose decade-long advocacy for marijuana legalization inspired a local medical strain named “Segerblom Haze,” purchased his flower at Reef Las Vegas dispensary and then addressed the assembled media.

“This is the entertainment capital of the world. It’s a perfect complement to what we do,” he said. “We’re going to be like Amsterdam on steroids.”

Nevada launched recreational marijuana sales on Saturday, July 1, and as it often does in Las Vegas, the party started at midnight. While Reef budtenders in “Day 1” hats served their first customers, an estimated 500 people waited outside for their chance to buy bud. Green fireworks sprouted from the rooftop, music thumped and food trucks selling fried chicken and chocolate cookies hummed by the curb. Twirling spotlights beaconed cabs, ride-shares and party buses arriving from The Strip. [Read more at The Denver Times]