Colorado Recreational Marijuana Laws
With the passing of Amendment 64 on November 6, 2012 adults 21 years of age and older can now legally possess 1 ounce of marijuana or any product containing THC in Colorado, including concentrates, edibles and cannabis seeds. Recreational stores didn't officially open until January 1, 2014. You don't have to be a resident of Colorado or register anywhere to consume recreational marijuana, it applies to anyone 21 and above who has a valid government issued ID. The law also allows each adult to grow up to 6 plants, 3 of which can be in the flowering stage in an enclosed, locked space.
Although any adult is allowed to possess up to 1 ounce, non-residents of Colorado will be restricted to purchasing no more than 1/4 ounce (7 grams) in a single transaction. This law was created to prevent visitors from going around to multiple stores and stockpiling marijuana for export. There is nothing illegal about visiting more than 1 store a day, but most recreational stores will only serve you once a day. As long as you don't exceed the 1 ounce per person possession limit, you are still within the law. Please be aware that your right to possess marijuana in Colorado does not apply when you are visiting national parks, national forests or monuments or other federal properties, such as courthouses. Also be aware that many ski areas are located on federal land.
The state allows marijuana stores to operate from 8am to midnight, but cities can impose more restrictive hours than the state allows. Denver dispensaries are required to close by 7pm, Aurora stores are open till 10pm and other places like Glendale are open till midnight, so check the hours of the store if you plan on going after 7pm.
Amendment 64 does not permit the consumption of marijuana "openly and publicly." You can still get a ticket for smoking weed in public, similar to open container laws for drinking in public. Discretion is appreciated, and usually required. Technically you are also not allowed to blaze indoors at any bar, club, or restaurant due to the clean indoor air act. Private cannabis clubs are the exception to this rule, where you can buy a day membership. Some allow indoor smoking since they are private and others allow vaping inside and smoking outside. Even though concert venues are private, many consider them publicly accessible private venues, and therefore consumption of marijuana is prohibited, but it really depends on the venue and the crowd as to how these rules are applied, so just air on the cautious side when smoking at a concert.
Driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal and the legal limit is 5 nanograms per milliliter of blood, but this law has been highly debated because people metabolize THC at different rates and the amount of impairment varies drastically for each person. Unlike alcohol, it's hard to determine if a person is impaired based on THC levels. If the police do suspect you of driving stoned, they can require you to take a blood test. We all should know when were impaired or not, so just be smart and don't drive under the influence.
The open container law in Colorado makes it illegal to possess marijuana in the passenger area of a vehicle if it is in an open container, a container with a broken seal, or if there is evidence of consumption. But this is questionable because what constitutes an open container of marijuana?
Exporting marijuana from Colorado is illegal and the Feds are watching Colorado very closely as the bordering states are extremely pissed off that we have such relaxed marijuana laws, so simply put, don't do it. Mailing weed home or to your buddies is also a bad idea.
Sign up now
