Colorado Marijuana Laws
Marijuana is legal for recreational use in Colorado. Although it is legal, there are still Colorado laws that apply to its use, possession, and purchase, and it’s essential to understand the restrictions in place. Additionally, marijuana is still illegal under federal law. If you have questions about Colorado’s marijuana laws or need any type of legal help, contact our Colorado Springs marijuana attorneys.
Buying & Selling Marijuana in Colorado
You must be at least at least 21 years old to legally purchase, possess, or use marijuana in Colorado. To legally purchase marijuana, you must present identification. If any individual gives, sells, or shares marijuana with an individual under the age of 21, they can be charged and convicted of a felony.
Adults who are permitted to buy marijuana in Colorado can only purchase it from licensed retail stores, and it is illegal to buy or possess more than 1 ounce of marijuana at one time. While no unlicensed retailers or individuals are permitted to sell marijuana, adults over the age of 21 can give up to 2 ounces of marijuana to another adult who is 21 or older.
Using & Having Marijuana in Colorado
In total, adults cannot have more than two ounces of marijuana. Additionally, using marijuana in any way, including vaping, smoking, or eating, is prohibited in all public places. This also includes common areas of condominiums and apartment buildings in which you reside.
Marijuana use is strictly prohibited on all federal land, including national parks, forests, and skip slopes.
If you wish to use marijuana, it should always be done on private property. Your best bet is to use it on your own property. If you rent a house or hotel room, you can’t automatically use marijuana simply because it isn’t a public place. All private individuals and parties have the right to ban marijuana on their property, including landlords and hotel owners.
Finally, it’s important to note that you cannot purchase marijuana in Colorado and take it to another state. You are also prohibited from bringing marijuana to any airport in the state.
It Is Illegal To Drive While Under The Influence of Marijuana
In Colorado, like in other states, driving under the influence of any illicit or mind-altering substance is illegal. In Colorado, this includes marijuana, despite the fact that it is legal in the state. One of the most important things to understand about marijuana DUI laws in Colorado is that you can be charged with and convicted of a DUI even if you aren’t currently under the influence of marijuana or haven’t used it in hours- even days in some cases.
Under Colorado law, if you have five or more nanograms of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per milliliter of whole blood, you can be convicted of a DUI – even if you are using marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Additionally, if you have less than that in your blood but show signs of impaired driving, you can still be arrested and convicted of driving under the influence.
Be Mindful of the Laws
People are often surprised to learn that, even though marijuana is legal in Colorado, some strict laws still govern its use. While Colorado has some of the most liberal marijuana laws in the country, it is still essential to be aware of the potential risks before using it. If you have any questions or find yourself in trouble with the law because of marijuana, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.