In 2014, the state made headlines for legalizing cannabis. As a result, prices are low and those who enjoy the recreational drug can expect high quality weed from dealers.
If the legalization of marijuana is what’s drawing you to the Centennial State, here are a couple of things to bear in mind.
Only people over 21 are allowed to possess marijuana.
As stated in the Colorado Amendment 64, only adults age 21 and above are legally allowed to possess one ounce of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). They can carry it in any form, be it a flower bud, a topical, an edible, or a concentrate, among other examples. You don’t need to be a Colorado resident to enjoy this right. All you need is a government-issued ID to prove your age.
Along with possession, adults aged 21 and up are also allowed to cultivate marijuana provided it’s done in an enclosed space.
Take note, however, that it is illegal to keep it in an "open container" especially when it’s on the passenger area of your car. Furthermore, this right is suspended in federal properties, monuments, as well as national parks and forests. If you get caught in these areas, you can be fined and even sent to prison to serve some time.
There are purchasing limits.
Just as there’s a limit to the amount of THC you can carry, Amendment 64 also stipulates purchasing limits. Tourists and Coloradans can buy up to 28 grams in a single transaction. As a precaution, most dispensaries in Colorado interpret "single transaction" as selling to an individual only once a day.
Click here to learn about equivalency laws so you can plan your purchase accordingly.
You can consume marijuana out in the open.
In fact, Amendment 64 strictly states that it shouldn’t be used "openly and publicly." To enforce this, cops hand out tickets to rule breakers. So, where is it acceptable to consume marijuana?
There are these so-called "social consumption lounges" that have popped up around the state. Some people have also formed clubs. These create safe spaces for recreational marijuana consumption. Some establishments allow it, but check with the management to be safe.
You can’t drive while under the influence.
Just as you can’t drink and drive, you also can’t get high and drive. You’re allowed to have an amount of 5 nanograms of THC per millimeter in your blood, but err on the side of caution and avoid driving while under the influence. Read more about driving with marijuana here.
You can’t take marijuana out of Colorado.
Remember that there are only a handful of states that have decriminalized the possession and recreational use of marijuana. Border police can be especially strict to the point that some of them thoroughly search passing vehicles.
Just like other laws, Colorado Amendment 64 is constantly improved by state lawmakers. Just recently, the Colorado General Assembly passed notions to allow commercial cannabis delivery and social pot use. If you’ll be using, growing, or dealing cannabis in Colorado, we highly suggest staying up to date with current events