Though citizens of Colorado have been able to lawfully possess and consume marijuana recreationally for over a year, come Jan. 1, state-licensed retail shops throughout the state will be able to sell up to an ounce of cannabis to citizens 21 and older.
Depending on the economic outcome for the state, this could be a sign of things to come.
In response to the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School earlier this year, both New York and Connecticut passed gun laws requiring owners of assault weapons to register those weapons with the state. In Connecticut, any assault weapon or large-capacity magazine still unregistered by Wednesday will be considered contraband.
A policy approved in May by 60% of the BSA's National Council will allow openly gay children and teenagers to join the ranks of the Boy Scouts of America on the first of January.
The BSA will continue to bar openly gay adults from taking leadership roles within the organization.
An Illinois law is cracking down on police surveillance via drones, requiring officers to obtain a warrant before using one of the vehicles for observation. The new law does come with a few exceptions -- in cases of a suspect fleeing a crime scene or an act of terrorism, no warrant will be needed.
The state has also instituted a law banning drones from being used to interfere with the actions of hunters and fishermen.
The first moments of 2014 will mark the last moments of the reign of incandescent light bulbs in the United States. America will no longer import or manufacture 40-watt and 60-watt bulbs, marking the final phase in the country's switch to more energy-efficient light sources.
Stores will still be able to sell their remaining stock after the change takes place.
Low-income American workers in 13 states and 4 cities will enjoy at least a slight hike in their paychecks on Wednesday. New Jersey's wage will bump to $8.25, New York and Rhode Island will see minimums move to $8 and Connecticut welcomes a $0.75 hike, to $8.70 per hour.
Nine other states' wages are tied to inflation rates and will experience automatic raises.
Fans of films like Braveheart, Titanic or the magnificent Killer Klowns From Outer Space should watch their favorites while they can. On Jan. 1, Netflix will purge many films and television shows from its streaming option.
For a full list of what's on the chopping block, see our article: "Netflix Schedules Massive Purge for Jan. 1."
Joining California, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Vermont, Illinois has instituted a ban on minors using indoor tanning beds within the state. The law comes from growing scientific evidence linking the use of such beds to the development of skin cancer.
California Governor Jerry Brown signed a law this summer allowing transgender students within the state to use restrooms aligning with their gender identity. These students will also be able to join male or female sports teams, depending on their respective identification.
If you're a Netflix-loving, drone-fearing marijuana enthusiast teenager who loves incandescent light bulbs, heads up: Your life is going to change pretty drastically come Wednesday.
New laws are going into effect in cities and states across the U.S. with the coming new year, altering the way civilians, businesses and, in some cases, entire industries operate on a day-to-day basis. And legislation isn't the only thing making changes, either — companies like Netflix are using the upcoming calendar year as a jumping-off point to tweak their offerings.
See also: 16 Astronomical Events in 2014 and How to Watch Them
In the above gallery, we've collected some of the most monumental changes you can expect — depending where you call home — when the ball drops.
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Image: Flickr, DanMoyle