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.

 

 

 

 

 

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PLANTS AND SPICES WITH A BUZZ FEATURE

 

Before you get all excited about new ways to catch a buzz, it is highly recommended that you conduct full research on the items presented in this article. As with many items that pertain to taking a substance of any type, effects are individual and information shared is from that of another's experience.  This article in no way promotes the use of these contents, but does encourage the investigation into each one, their dosage and potential benefits.  When in doubt, consult a scientist or medical professional.

 

Philosopher Terence Mckenna has a video floating around on Youtube describing this first plant. He says if you do it right, you will open yourself up to a new world, but cautioned the amount consumed because it doesn't take much.

 

SALVIA DIVINORUM is a plant that many may know as “sage", different from the spices you cook with however. This plant is just over three feet tall and has incredibly large leaves, hollow square stems, and occasional white flowers with violet calyxes ( husk or wrapping). Sometimes, you may find white or purple flowers growing on the stems. It  is a psychoactive plant which can induce visions and other altered and spiritual experiences.

 

CATNIP  - Not just for Cats!  European countries have been using it for treating several health conditions. This plant can be good for digestion; it acts as a sedative, tranquilizer, and promoter of menstruation.  It is said to be an effective cure for infant colic as well. When this plant is consumed in the form of tea, its aromatic flavor is considered to be a remedy for coughs and colds. It’s said to give relief in cases of chest congestion and also loosens and relaxes muscles. It can be either smoked or taken in the form of juice, tincture or tea. It produces a sense of calmness and relaxation, while sometimes producing a mild sense of euphoria coupled with giddiness.

 

WHITE SAGE - The dried leaves are typically used in smoking blends to improve mood. White sage promotes feelings of relaxation and also boosts memory. When smoked alone the flavor can be intense. According to United State Department of Agriculture, it can also be used to treat eczema and skin eruptions. 

 

DAMIANA -  is a small shrub with flowers that give off a very aromatic scent. This plant is usually mixed into a tea or sugary beverage.  The plant is said to give a “relaxed" feeling almost immediately. Damiana is also used more and more as incense because of its aromatic calming effect. It has long been used as a relaxant and aphrodisiac. Native Indians were known to drink sweetened Damiana tea,  and it is said to be believed as one of the original ingredients of margaritas.

 

BLUE LOTUS - is a plant that is also known as “Sacred Blue Lily". Some refer to this plant as the “spiked plant"; because of its blue and white spiked petals, and because it is said to give the same type of effects as a sedative. It also supposedly increases your conscious awareness. It is said that your senses will be heightened and at the same time you may feel a sense of peace and tranquility. It contains nuciferan (a natural anti-spasmodic) along with aporphine, which will give you feelings of a calming euphoria.

 

Nature is amazing. From plant life to human life, everyday we learn, grow and experience new thoughts and ideas. If you have any ideas about trying any of the aforementioned plants and spices for a recreational high, make sure to investigate fully and consume responsibly.

 

Happy Week.

MrD.

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If successful, the California Craft Cannabis Initiative could lead to better quality cannabis in California and beyond. Drafted by lawyers Heather Burke and Omar Figueroa, the initiative is one of a large handful of recreational marijuana legalization measures vying to make it onto the November 2016 statewide ballot. In addition to retroactively legalizing the use, cultivation, possession, transportation, processing, distribution, and sale of marijuana by persons 21 years of age and older, the initiative would establish a seed bank dedicated to the preservation and development of cannabis strains, and would also provide incentives to encourage small-scale growers to produce top-quality weed. We've all heard of craft beers, but have you ever heard of craft cannabis? The concept is the same whether we're talking beer or buds. Small-scale, focused production allows artisans the opportunity to create unique, unusual, or specialty products of often exceptional quality. If California's Craft Cannabis Initiative passes, craft cannabis growers could actually register and trademark their buds. For instance, their would likely be regional designations such as “Humboldt County” or “Emerald Triangle,” as well as certified strains.

What this would mean for the average California cannabis consumer is that what you pay for is what you get, at least when purchasing a certified or trademark-registered product. Seems like a simple enough consumer expectation, but this isn't always the case in legal recreational cannabis states like Colorado, Oregon, and Washington where strains are often misnamed, ill grown, and poorly preserved in the mass-production frenzy of trying to meet an ever-rising demand. No means for certifying any particular strains of marijuana exist in these states, which basically results in anyone being able to call their buds anything they like and sell them under any name they choose, and consumers having nothing other than their own eyes, nose, and knowledge of cannabis to help them tell the difference. That Lemon Haze might be Lemon Haze, or it might not. That “rare” strain whose name you've never heard of before could be good old Blue Dream with a fancy new alias. If the initiative in California passes and other states decide to adopt their own certification mechanisms, consumers would be able to tell exactly what they were getting, and growers would have an incentive to protect their strains and develop them to their fullest potential.

The California Craft Cannabis Initiative would also provide an opportunity for growers to have their crops certified organic. This is something none of the legal marijuana states currently offer, which again leaves the consumer with little but their own judgment and the shopkeeper's word to go on when hoping to purchase organically-grown cannabis. As it stands, much of the marijuana sold at dispensaries is coated with pesticides and often contains fungus or heavy metals. It might say “organic,” but there isn't really any way of knowing whether or not it actually is. The California Craft Cannabis Initiative would make it possible for consumers to choose products that are certified organic, which could encourage other legal weed states to follow suit.

The initiative also calls for the establishment of the California Cannabis Genetic Repository. The repository would collect germplasm from all known cannabis strains, carefully preserving and documenting the biodiversity of the cannabis genus. Researchers and others wishing to study the cannabis plant would have free access to the repository, which could lead to the development of strains with higher potency, new hybrids, and more. As the nation's herb supply continues to be flooded with mislabeled or wrongly identified strains, preserving the genetics of specific cannabis strains becomes increasingly important not just for California, but for the world. The sponsors of the California Craft Cannabis Initiative have until December 21st to collect the 365,880 signatures required to get the measure placed on next November's ballot. There are at least ten other recreational cannabis legalization initiatives that are in the process of meeting requirements to make it on the ballot, as well. For more information including the full text of the California Craft Cannabis Initiative, visit www.californiacannabis2016.com .

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Nowadays, a number of states have legalized weed. Some have "okayed" cannabis recreationally, some medically, and some both.

Illinois has both types. And, just like every other legal state, it has laws. These laws govern who can have weed and how much. Further, they govern who can grow it and who can sell it.

There are differences in the rules for medical and recreational users. They regulate how much and what kind of weed either kind of cannabis consumer can have. And they regulate the total amount of THC in the marijuana merchandise you buy.

There are even guidelines for out-of-state shoppers. The legislature has been quite thorough in enacting laws to govern the use of ganja. Let's go over Illinois marijuana laws – both recreational and medical.

Let's start with when this all began.

When Did Marijuana Become "Legalized" in Illinois?

The legalization of cannabis in the United States began with medical use in California in 1996. Following that, Washington and Colorado were the first states to legalize recreational in 2012.

Illinois approved a limited medical marijuana program in 2013. Recreational weed was approved by the legislature to begin in January of 2020.

There are some notable differences between the two categories of weed laws. 

We’ll look at those distinctions in depth.

Medical Marijuana Laws in Illinois

The state’s Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act took effect on July 15, 2014. It allowed for 35 qualifying conditions. Notably, at the time, qualifiers did not include chronic pain, the main reason for most medical use.

A qualified doctor must attest that marijuana is a necessary medicine for applicants. Anyone 18 years old and up can apply for a license. In some instances, adults can apply for caregiver licenses for minor children. 

There have been significant adjustments to rules for patients since 2014. For instance, chronic pain has been added to the acceptable conditions list. The opioid crisis was a major motivator for expanding medical marijuana access.

How much can cannabis cardholders acquire?

How Much Medical Can You Buy at a Time?

Pot patients in the Land of Lincoln, as Illinois is known, can get 2.5 ounces, or 71 grams, of ganja within a two-week period. 

They may own up to 5 grams of concentrates. 

They may have up to 500 mg of THC period. 

Flower, edibles, and concentrates cannot exceed 500mg of total THC.

Should a doctor indicate, cardholders can get waivers for more weed through the state. 

Plants are also possible for patients to get and grow, but they are limited to five. As with many states, cannabis crops must be kept out of public view. Using weed is also restricted to private, personal spaces.

Cannabis consumers with a med license can also purchase through registered caregivers. These agents can only serve one patient at a time. They can also pick up marijuana medicine for homebound patients. Caregiver cannabis has the same limits as other medical marijuana licenses.

How are laws and limits different for casual users?

Recreational Marijuana Laws in Illinois 

In 2016, the state did decriminalize possessing less than 10 grams of marijuana. For small amounts, the penalty was set at $200.

January 2020 was the beginning of recreational use in the state. The law stipulates an age limit of 21 years or older.

As with pretty much every other state, it is prohibited to use cannabis products in public. Transportation must be in sealed containers stored away from anyone driving an automobile. Obviously, driving while high is a crime.

Breaking weed laws have severe consequences. 

For instance, holding more than 30 to 100 grams of marijuana is considered a Class A misdemeanor. And that is punished by up to a year in prison, plus a potential fine of $2500.

Only licensed dispensaries can sell weed, recreational or otherwise. Individuals cannot sell cannabis to anyone else. Nor can individuals grow their own plants without a medical license.

Individual localities in Illinois can decide if they want to allow provisioning centers. They cannot supersede state laws about personal use or possession. You can find out where to legally buy weed from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Or by searching here on Cannasaver, especially in the Chicago area.

Cannabis consumers must show a valid ID. You must prove you are 21 years old or older. All sales are cash because, at this time, credit cards cannot be used.

There is an allowance for out-of-state users to buy recreationally. They also need a valid ID from their own state. Visitors have reduced amounts they can purchase, as detailed below.

Suffice to say, tourists also face stiff penalties if they possess over the legal limits.

All that said, how much can recreational users buy?

How Much Recreational Can You Buy at a Time? 

As indicated above, the regulations are different for casual cannabis use.

Those without a med license can get up to an ounce of herb. Cannabis concentrates are limited to 5 grams. And edibles or tinctures are restricted to 500 milligrams of THC.

The total limit is 500 milligrams. 

That’s all of the THC altogether between flower, concentrates, and edibles.

That’s the rub in Illinois – they restrict the amount of THC in the weed you buy. So, you can purchase less weed with higher THC levels. These limits are for a two-week period – thus every two weeks you can buy and own up to the restrictions.

As previously mentioned, out of staters can get recreational cannabis in Illinois. However, they are restricted to half the amount locals can get. So, that’s a half-ounce of flower and 2.5 grams of concentrate. The total THC cap is 250 milligrams. That’s everything - flower, edibles, and concentrates added together.

For locals or tourists, there are ways to save some green on your ganja.

Illinois Marijuana Deals on Cannasaver 

Cannasaver is now in Illinois! Filter Illinois dispensaries by typing in "Chicago" in the top search bar. Then click "Chicago" under "Location."

We offer the best dispensary deals and coupons with savings of up to 75% on ounces, concentrates, shatter, wax, edibles, and more.

30% off your first medical purchase at Sunnyside!

Mindy's Edibles 100mg $30 in Chicago!

Bedford Grow Concentrates $70/1Gram

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