Marijuana Laws and Policies in Colorado 2020
As one of the Mountain States of the country, Colorado enjoys quite a free and liberated status with regards to the lifestyle of its residents. This stretches well into the cannabis industry as Colorado is, in fact, a safe haven for weed users like me and you.
The sale and distribution of cannabis for medical and adult use in Colorado seemingly becomes more and more accepted throughout the years. With this, a large chunk of the state’s economy has actually improved due to the presence of the cannabis market!
There are countless things that you can get from the marijuana scene found in the Centennial State. Now, without further ado, let’s dive in!
History of Cannabis in Colorado
Colorado has since been one of the few US states to have actually decriminalized and legalized the use and consumption of medical cannabis during the early 2000s. During the year 2000, the Colorado Legislative body pressed for the legalization of medical marijuana through a ballot initiative.
During the same year, Initiative 20 was subsequently approved by way of vote. This law, which was later called the Amendment 20, was established in order to provide for a medical marijuana program in the state. This framework authorized patients who were suffering from terminal and debilitating conditions to make use of cannabis as an alternative form of medicine.
Legalization of recreational cannabis:
Medical marijuana was practically the only source of weed that growers could get their hands on up until recent times. It was not until the year 2012 when things started changing for the better in terms of adult-use cannabis.
This policy, upon approval, officially legalized the use, possession, distribution, and cultivation of recreational cannabis within the state.
Cannabis Regulation Body
Under Colorado laws, the implementation of the framework that governs both the medical and recreational use of marijuana were congested into Title 44, Article 10 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. This provided a broad and detailed set of guidelines that accounted for the rules and regulations of the whole cannabis scene in Colorado. This makes marijuana for adult use a legal commodity in the state’s markets.
The CDOR is also responsible for regulating and licensing dispensaries that sell supplies of medical weed. In addition to this, the Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry, which belongs to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), is tasked with the registry and application of qualifying patients who seek to make use of cannabis for health treatments.
Medical Cannabis
The very first distribution of medical marijuana supplies in Colorado took place in the year 2001. Since then, the Patients must always carry this document with them in order to avoid the illegal possession of such, especially for minors.
Qualifying conditions for the medical marijuana program include:
- AIDS/HIV
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
- Cancer
- Chronic Pain
- Epilepsy and other seizure conditions
- Glaucoma
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Nausea and vomiting
- Opiate Replacement (Subject to a physician’s recommendation)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Legal Age, Purchasing, and Possession of Cannabis
Legal age:
There is currently no specific age limit set for the use of medical marijuana. Minors, as long as they are provided with the consent of their parents and/or guardians, may fully utilize medical marijuana for treatment. Also, the acting caregiver of minors who are below the age of 18 must be their parent/s and guardians.
As for using cannabis for adult and recreational use, residents of the state must be at least 21 years old in order to legally buy marijuana seeds in colorado and possess cannabis. This is consistent with the age limit that other states provide for the recreational use of cannabis.
Purchasing locations and possession limits:
There are also medical weed dispensaries that specialize in the distribution of only medical marijuana. Minors who are unable to legally buy marijuana seeds in colorado can have their caregivers obtain the supplies on their behalf. As an alternative, cannabis clinics in Colorado offer delivery services to patients. This limit also applies to tourists who are visiting the state.
Consumption and Cultivation of Cannabis
Consumption limits:
The cannabis laws of Colorado do not permit the use and consumption of cannabis for any purpose in open and public places. There are no smoking areas in the open. Also, as we have stated above, Jack’s Law permits minor patients to utilize medical cannabis within a school zone’s area. This, of course, is subject to the consent of the school’s administrative department as well as the minor’s parents/caregivers.
Cannabis cultivation:
Residents of Colorado are permitted to buy marijuana seeds in Colorado and cultivate up to six (6) marijuana plants in their respective households, regardless of how many adults are residing therein. Colorado boasts a highly progressive and immensely open cannabis industry that many people can fully enjoy. Tourists are also welcome to make use of cannabis in this state.
