colorado and washington stATE legalise marijuana use

Denver has long drawn thrill-seekers to its snowy peaks and thriving ski scene.

But a newly passed recreational marijuana law has raised concerns about whether it will open the door to so-called 'pot tourism'.

This week, both Colorado and Washington State became the first U.S. states to legalise the possession of marijuana for recreational use.

Ski tourism hub: A couple of skiers laugh in Vail, Colorado, one of the resort areas that voted for the measure

Possession in small amounts is allowed for adults over 21 - and not just state residents but visitors too, as long as they purchase and use the drug while in Colorado or Washington.

Although, the moves may not come into effect at all if the U.S. Department of Justice asserts its federal supremacy over the matter. The Government views marijuana as a controlled substance.

In Colorado, tourism is the second most important industry and the day after the measure was approved, the headline in the Aspen Times asked, 'Aspendam?' referring to Amsterdam's 'cannabis cafes'.

Colorado's tourism director, Al White, tried to downplay the prospect of a new marijuana tourism boom, saying: 'It won't be as big a deal as either side hopes or fears.'

Hazy: Seattle, in Washington state, is known for its laid-back vibe

Ski resorts were also watching developments 'closely,' said Jennifer Rudolph of Colorado Ski Country USA, a trade association.

'There's a lot that remains to be seen. I guess you could say we're waiting for the smoke to clear,' she said.

The Colorado counties where big ski resorts are located seem to have made up their minds. Here, the measure was passed by overwhelming margins, with more support than in less visited areas.

The home county of Aspen approved the move more than 3-to-1. More than two-thirds approved marijuana in the home county of Colorado's largest ski resort, Vail.