Cannabis laws across the United States have undergone several changes over the last few years. As one of the first states to legalize possession and consumption of recreational marijuana, Colorado is at the forefront of nationwide efforts to make cannabis legal.
For those of you who are confused by any of the law changes, here is your definitive guide to Colorado’s recreational marijuana.
Who Can Legally Possess Recreational Marijuana?
- All Colorado residents over the age of 21 may possess up to one ounce of tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. This is great news for those who prefer edibles, oils and other concentrated forms of THC.
- For visitors looking to enjoy recreational marijuana, Colorado allows anyone with a valid government issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, that are over the age of 21 to purchase.
- Residents of Colorado can possess up to one ounce of marijuana. Visitors can only purchase up to one-quarter ounce at a time.
If you wish to grow recreational marijuana, Colorado allows individuals to grow up to six plants in an enclosed and locked space.
Where Can I Buy Recreational Marijuana?
- You may buy recreational marijuana and other THC-containing products through any licensed retail marijuana store.
- These retail stores are only allowed, by state law, to be open from eight in the morning until midnight. Store hours vary by municipality. For instance in Denver, stores must close by seven while in Edgewater they stay open until midnight.
- Each municipality has its own rules regarding the sale of marijuana, with some cities opting not to allow retail stores within their city limits. Check the city in question’s website for further information regarding locations and hours the stores are open.
Where Can Marijuana be consumed?
- If you are looking to consume recreational marijuana, Colorado only allows it to be consumed in private. You may not smoke it at or around a marijuana retail store, and there are no coffee shops like they have in Amsterdam, for example, allowing private consumption.
- There are a few private cannabis clubs where you can buy a one-day membership. Due to the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act, these places usually, but not always, allow vaping of marijuana indoors while you may be allowed to smoke outside.
- Discretion is important. Walking down the street while smoking a joint will put you at risk of getting a ticket, the same as you would if you walked around town publicly drinking alcohol.
When it comes to consuming recreational marijuana, Colorado would prefer for you to enjoy it in the privacy of your own home.
Driving Under The Influence
The legal limit is 5 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood. Though THC-infused products influence each individual differently, the law is similar to those on the books for alcohol.
Colorado has an open-container law that makes it illegal to have marijuana in the passenger area of a vehicle in an open container or one with broken seals.
Simply put, do not drive while under the influence.
Export
Colorado officials are very strict about marijuana not leaving the state. Post offices and airports are monitored closely. Neighboring states also watch cars that go in and out of Colorado with an eye toward arresting those who are in possession of marijuana.
If you are visiting our lovely state and want to take or send some marijuana home, just remember these three words: don’t do it!
Federal Property
- Possession of marijuana on federal property is illegal. This means national parks, forests, mountains and federal courthouses.
- Punishment for possession on federal land is up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine for a first offense. A second offense includes a 15-day mandatory jail sentence that can be lengthened to two years. Subsequent offenses involve a 90-day jail term that can be extended up to three years and a $5,000 fine.
To learn more about cannabis, contact our team of experts today at Chronic Therapy.