As one of the first two states to legalize marijuana for recreational use in 2012 -- the other being Washington -- and twelve years of medical marijuana prior to that, Colorado has been at the forefront of cannabis legalization and activism for almost 20 years. But whether you're a medical marijuana patient, a recreational user or even just a Colorado resident, it pays to understand the marijuana laws in Colorado.
Learn more about marijuana in Colorado
Colorado, where the Rocky Mountains loom over colorful valleys, thick forests, babbling brooks, and an innovative urban metropolis, was the first in the United States to launch a legal recreational marijuana market. As exciting as this freedom is, we expect you to have questions. Browse our FAQ about cannabis in Colorado, below, to get a better idea of the marijuana laws in The Centennial State.
FAQs
Does Colorado allow medical marijuana?▼
In 2000, Colorado joined California, Oregon, Alaska, Washington, Maine, Hawaii and Nevada to become the eighth state to legalize medical marijuana, decriminalizing the use, possession, and cultivation of marijuana for patients with a doctor's note or recommendation.
However, it wasn't until after the October 19, 2009 "Ogden Memo" from Colorado Deputy Attorney General David Ogden -- which argued for a relaxed approach to enforcing federal marijuana laws -- that Colorado dispensaries exploded in scope and number in 2010 to help serve the then 100,000 medical marijuana patients, up from just 20,000 in late 2009, that were overwhelming Colorado's small and limited medical dispensary system.
However, it wasn't until after the October 19, 2009 "Ogden Memo" from Colorado Deputy Attorney General David Ogden -- which argued for a relaxed approach to enforcing federal marijuana laws -- that Colorado dispensaries exploded in scope and number in 2010 to help serve the then 100,000 medical marijuana patients, up from just 20,000 in late 2009, that were overwhelming Colorado's small and limited medical dispensary system.
Is recreational weed legal in Colorado?▼
On November 6, 2012, Colorado voters passed Amendment 64 by a 10-point margin, 55 to 45, and legalized marijuana use for adults 21 and older.
On January 1, 2014, marijuana was officially made available for sale to the general public and was intended to mirror the adult-use laws of alcohol in the state.
On January 1, 2014, marijuana was officially made available for sale to the general public and was intended to mirror the adult-use laws of alcohol in the state.
Where are dispensaries located in Colorado?▼
Unlike the sale of alcohol, which is available just about everywhere, weed laws in Colorado prevent dispensaries from selling cannabis in close to 200 of Colorado's 272 municipalities, which leaves less than 100 districts with retail dispensaries. Even Colorado Springs, Colorado's second-biggest city, blocks recreational marijuana sales in favor of a limited medical marijuana system.
For more, see our list of Colorado cities that prohibit marijuana.
For more, see our list of Colorado cities that prohibit marijuana.
Are Colorado dispensaries recreational or medical?▼
While the early years of recreational marijuana saw slow growth in the number of retail weed shops due to licensing laws and regulation, current trends are favoring retail shops over medical marijuana dispensaries due to the larger retail market.
As of 2018, there were over 700 recreational marijuana dispensaries in Colorado, with about 500 medical dispensaries. Many dispensaries also serve both the medical and recreational markets.
As of 2018, there were over 700 recreational marijuana dispensaries in Colorado, with about 500 medical dispensaries. Many dispensaries also serve both the medical and recreational markets.
Payment Methods Accepted at Dispensaries in Colorado▼
Since the sale and transport of cannabis is still federally illegal, most banks, credit cards and payment processing companies choose not to do business with marijuana dispensaries, which limits dispensaries to essentially one accounting method: cash. This means that for most dispensaries in the state, they can't accept your debit or credit card due to federal regulations.
We suggest bringing cash to any dispensary you visit or using the ATMs that most dispensaries have inside.
We suggest bringing cash to any dispensary you visit or using the ATMs that most dispensaries have inside.
Colorado Weed Laws - Know Your Grow Limits▼
Both medical and recreational marijuana users can grow up to six plants at home, with no more than three plants maturing, or flowering, at a time. For recreational users, this is a hard limit, but medical marijuana patients can petition through their doctor for an extended plant count with the state, increasing the number of at-home plants from six to ninety-nine, as deemed medically necessary.
In 2017, Colorado capped the maximum number of marijuana plants per household to twelve and added penalties for individuals of up to $100,000 and two years in prison for growing more than six plants each.
In addition to the grow limits, it's also important to note that all marijuana plants must be hidden and locked away from the public, which means they can't be grown outside, and houses with minors must take additional precautions to bar access to their plants.
In 2017, Colorado capped the maximum number of marijuana plants per household to twelve and added penalties for individuals of up to $100,000 and two years in prison for growing more than six plants each.
In addition to the grow limits, it's also important to note that all marijuana plants must be hidden and locked away from the public, which means they can't be grown outside, and houses with minors must take additional precautions to bar access to their plants.
Colorado Purchasing Limits▼
Whether you want to buy edibles in Colorado or buy concentrates in Colorado, you should be aware of your cannabis purchasing limits. For recreational users, Colorado's weed laws limits all purchases to one ounce (28.5 grams) of flower marijuana, eight grams of concentrate or 800mg of edibles. Recreational edibles are further limited to 10mg of THC per item.
Medical marijuana cardholders can purchase double -- up to two ounces (56 grams) of marijuana.
Medical marijuana cardholders can purchase double -- up to two ounces (56 grams) of marijuana.
Can you go into a dispensary when you're under 21 in Colorado?▼
While some dispensaries will let you in the door before asking for ID, you must be over 21 years old with valid ID to browse products or purchase marijuana in Colorado. However, if you're a card-carrying medical marijuana patient you will be allowed in -- just make sure you have your card on you.
How old do you have to be to purchase marijuana in Colorado?▼
To purchase recreational marijuana in Colorado, you must be 21 or older and have a valid ID.
Do you need a medical card to buy from a dispensary in Colorado?▼
To purchase from a medical marijuana dispensary, you must have a valid Colorado medical marijuana card -- out-of-state cards typically aren't interchangeable due to varying state marijuana laws.
In Colorado's numerous recreational dispensaries, you only need a valid ID that shows you're 21 or older.
In Colorado's numerous recreational dispensaries, you only need a valid ID that shows you're 21 or older.
Do you need a medical card to enter a dispensary in Colorado?▼
Most dispensaries have small waiting rooms or admittance areas where they check ID, but you will not be allowed back into the shopping area of any dispensary without a valid, 21+ ID for recreational shops and a current medical marijuana card for medical dispensaries.
Colorado Possession/Use Limits▼
According to weed laws in Colorado, medical marijuana patients or their designated guardians are eligible to purchase up to two ounces (56 grams) of marijuana per visit and are allowed to carry up to two ounces of marijuana on their person at any item.
For recreational use, purchases are limited to one ounce (28.5 grams) of flower marijuana, eight grams of concentrate or 800mg of edibles. Recreational edibles are limited to 10mg of THC per item.
The fines for breaking Colorado's weed laws are as follows:
For recreational use, purchases are limited to one ounce (28.5 grams) of flower marijuana, eight grams of concentrate or 800mg of edibles. Recreational edibles are limited to 10mg of THC per item.
The fines for breaking Colorado's weed laws are as follows:
- Recreational marijuana sales in Colorado reached almost $1 billion in 2015 ($996 million) and has been growing every year since.
- In 2019, total tax revenue for marijuana sales, licenses and fees is expected to break $1 billion (currently $967 million through March, 2019).
Is weed legal to consume in Colorado?▼
You might be wondering where you can smoke weed in Colorado or whether smoking weed in public in Colorado is legal. While it’s true that there are a number of 420 friendly cities in Colorado, open or public consumption is generally prohibited under state law. However, marijuana legality in Colorado is up to interpretation, and legal vagueness has provided some flexibility in this evolving industry, and a handful of lounges and marijuana social clubs currently exist across the state.
The most common and acceptable place to use cannabis is in the privacy of your own home. If you're visiting Colorado or have a restrictive landlord, consider hotels, B&Bs, and friends' houses -- just be sure to check with the owner or staff.
Know your Colorado marijuana laws:
The most common and acceptable place to use cannabis is in the privacy of your own home. If you're visiting Colorado or have a restrictive landlord, consider hotels, B&Bs, and friends' houses -- just be sure to check with the owner or staff.
Know your Colorado marijuana laws:
- Passed in November 2016, Ordinance 300 is a Denver County pilot program for social cannabis consumption within the city. However, as of July 2018, very few public consumption licenses have been issued.
- Amendment 64 specifically states that openly and publicly consumed cannabis is prohibited, which echoes Colorado's medical marijuana law.
- Colorado law bans smoking tobacco or marijuana inside public buildings in almost all cases.
- In Colorado's city, state, and national parks, as well as ski slopes, hiking trails and most campgrounds, marijuana consumption is prohibited.
- Public landmarks, concert venues, bars, restaurants, alleys, hotel lobbies and schools all can be defined as public or open, so be sure you check before you light up.
Colorado Cultivation▼
Colorado has almost 15,000 licensed marijuana growers in the state. This number is orders of magnitude larger than New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, or Florida, which have all allowed less than 15 cultivation licenses each.
Indeed, a study from August, 2018 found that Colorado cultivators were growing on less than half their allotted land, with no demand gap on the retail end.
Indeed, a study from August, 2018 found that Colorado cultivators were growing on less than half their allotted land, with no demand gap on the retail end.
Medical At-Home Cultivation in Colorado▼
Weed laws in Colorado state that medical marijuana patients can grow up to six plants at home, with no more than three plants flowering at any one time. However, if a patient needs to grow more, they can petition the state through their doctor to raise the limit up to 99 plants, depending on their medical needs.
Household limits are 12 plants per household and all plants must not be accessible by minors or the public, so outside grows are prohibited.
Household limits are 12 plants per household and all plants must not be accessible by minors or the public, so outside grows are prohibited.
Recreational At-Home Cultivation in Colorado▼
Like medical marijuana patients, recreational marijuana users can grow up to six plants, with no more than three plants flowering at a time.
Household limits for recreational use are also the same as medical marijuana, so the limit is 12 indoor plants with six flowering for two or more people.
Thinking about at-home cultivation for yourself? Check out our marijuana growing supplies to find premium tools for growing your own supply.
Household limits for recreational use are also the same as medical marijuana, so the limit is 12 indoor plants with six flowering for two or more people.
Thinking about at-home cultivation for yourself? Check out our marijuana growing supplies to find premium tools for growing your own supply.
Colorado Marijuana Laws: Transporting Cannabis▼
In Colorado, marijuana can be freely transported around the state as long as the total amount of marijuana is under the legal possession limit, which is one ounce of flower marijuana for recreational use and two ounces for medical use. When transporting, it's a good idea to keep your cannabis in marijuana storage containers, to ensure that the flower or product is not tarnished during transit.
That said, if you cross a state line, you have likely broken drug trafficking laws and can be prosecuted, jailed and/or fined for your actions, even if it's into another state where marijuana is legal.
That said, if you cross a state line, you have likely broken drug trafficking laws and can be prosecuted, jailed and/or fined for your actions, even if it's into another state where marijuana is legal.
Is Weed delivery legal in Colorado?▼
At the time of writing, for recreational consumers, Colorado's weed laws prohibit marijuana delivery services statewide, but there is buzz that Colorado will probably start allowing recreational delivery in the near future.
However, if you are a medical marijuana cardholder, your direct caregiver is able to deliver marijuana and marijuana products directly to you, such as after it is purchased. This is mainly reserved for immobile cardholders and those in underserved communities without local dispensaries, but it can be utilized by any valid medical cardholder with a designated caregiver.
However, if you are a medical marijuana cardholder, your direct caregiver is able to deliver marijuana and marijuana products directly to you, such as after it is purchased. This is mainly reserved for immobile cardholders and those in underserved communities without local dispensaries, but it can be utilized by any valid medical cardholder with a designated caregiver.
Marijuana and Driving in Colorado▼
Medical marijuana cardholders and retail consumers are not allowed to pilot any type of vehicle while under the influence of marijuana. This includes cars, motorcycles and other heavy machinery -- it also includes bicycles. Just like with alcohol, driving while under the influence is a criminal offense that can mean large fines, a license suspension and possible jail time.
Colorado Marijuana Laws: Sales and Tax Income▼
- Recreational marijuana sales in Colorado reached almost $1 billion in 2015 ($996 million) and has been growing every year since.
- In 2019, total tax revenue for marijuana sales, licenses and fees is expected to break $1 billion (currently $967 million through March, 2019).
Leafbuyer's Featured Colorado Dispensaries
Colorado Dispensaries
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LivWell Enlightened Health - Broadway
432 S. Broadway, Denver, CO
Open 8:00A - 9:50P
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