A Visitor’s Guide to Marijuana in Colorado
Colorado was the history-making first state in the U.S. to legalize marijuana for recreational use through state Amendment 64. Since that time Colorado has become a destination state for what’s now called “marijuana tourists.” Many visitors to the state ask the following common questions about how to purchase, possess, and use marijuana in compliance with state laws.
Who Can Buy Marijuana Legally In Colorado, and How Much Can They Purchase?
Colardo’s marijuana laws say that anyone over the age of 21 may legally buy, possess, and consume marijuana, including visitors to the state. You do not have to be a resident to purchase or use marijuana bought from any licensed retailer. It’s legal to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, but possessing more than two ounces of recreational marijuana can lead to fines and criminal charges.
Adults may give another person up to two ounces of marijuana as a gift but only licensed retailers may sell it.
Where Can I Buy Marijuana In Colorado?
Colorado residents and visitors may purchase marijuana from a licensed retailer. Many retailers do not allow credit cards due to restrictions from major banks, but they typically have ATMs available. You only need a driver’s license or valid ID showing you are over 21 to legally purchase marijuana products. The state adds a 15% sales tax to marijuana sales.
Some Colorado cities, including Colorado Springs, prohibit marijuana retail stores within their municipalities.
Purchasing marijuana to resell to someone else is illegal in Colorado.
Can I Use Marijuana Anywhere In Colorado?
Colorado prohibits the public use of marijuana in any public place. No one may smoke, eat, or vape marijuana in public without facing the risk of legal charges and fines. In Colorado, marijuana use isn’t allowed in public spaces either indoors or outside. Neither visitors nor residents may use marijuana publicly in any of the spaces below:
- Restaurants, bars, or cafés
- Streets, sidewalks, alleys, trails, or bike paths
- Golf courses
- Parking lots or in parked cars
- Public spaces
- Federal lands like national parks and forests
Essentially, the law prohibits recreational marijuana usage anywhere you can be seen by the public. Marijuana should only be used privately. Even using it on your own property is a violation of the law if others can see you.
Some hotels do not allow marijuana use on the property. Visitors to the state should check the rules in their hotel before smoking or consuming marijuana in a hotel room.
Given these restrictions, visitors should be cautious about where they use marijuana. If you find yourself facing charges for marijuana use, a Colorado Springs drug crimes attorney can guide you through your options and help you build a strong defense.”
Can You Get a DUI for Driving After Using Marijuana?
If you drive in Colorado, you are under the “Express Consent” law which automatically gives consent to blood alcohol concentration (BAC) tests. Now the state has added express consent for testing blood TCH levels. If you have more than five nanograms of THC per milliliter of whole blood, Colorado law enforcement considers you legally impaired and may charge you with a DUI. In such cases, consulting a criminal defense attorney can be crucial to understanding your rights and navigating the legal process.
After purchasing marijuana in Colorado, consumers may only transport it in the trunk of their vehicle and not within reach while driving.
Under the establishment of the Governor’s Office of Marijuana Coordination in Colorado, expert representatives from different state agencies work together to address concerns related to marijuana usage in ways that do not conflict with the legalization of recreational marijuana or disregard the voter’s intentions.