Colorado Cannabis License Guidelines

Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Divisions

Licensing and Enforcement Criteria

The Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) is tasked with licensing and regulating the Medical and Retail Marijuana industries in Colorado. Our mission is to promote public safety and reduce public harm by regulating the Colorado commercial marijuana industry through consistent administration of laws, regulations and strategic integration of process management, functional expertise, and innovative problem-solving.

You must confirm that the Local Authority where you plan to operate allows Medical and/or Retail Marijuana businesses to operate within their jurisdiction. The MED will not accept new marijuana business license applications for businesses located within a local authority’s jurisdiction unless they have advised us that they are currently accepting new Medical and/or Retail Marijuana business license applications – local authorities that have advised the MED that they allow marijuana businesses to operate within their jurisdiction. Be aware that before your marijuana business may begin operation, you must also obtain a license from the Local Licensing Authority within whose jurisdiction you intend to operate. With this in mind, you may want to begin your Local Licensing Authority’s license application process at the same time you are pursuing your state marijuana business license.  Click here for a complete list of rules.

Colorado Cannabis Law & Compliance

Several laws and ordinances regulate the Colorado commercial cannabis industry, as well as the many different steps in the supply chain. These laws range over dispositions for cultivators, manufacturers, distributors and retail dispensaries. The most recent news can be found on these websites:

FAQs

How old do you have to be to purchase recreational cannabis in Colorado?

You must be 21:

  • It’s illegal for people under 21 to buy, have or use retail marijuana.
  • It’s a felony for anyone to give or sell to, or share marijuana with, anyone under 21.
  • You must present a valid ID proving you’re 21 or older.

How much recreational cannabis can I purchase?

Adults over the age of 21 can buy and possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana at a time.

Can I be arrested if the police suspect I’ve been smoking and driving?

Similar to alcohol, there’s an established impairment level for marijuana in Colorado.      

  • By law, drivers with 5 nanograms of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per milliliter of whole blood can be prosecuted for DUI.
  • Even if marijuana is used medically, officers can arrest you for impaired driving.

No open containers:

  • Neither drivers or passengers are allowed to open any marijuana packaging and use the product while in a vehicle, even if you are not moving.
  • You can be charged with a traffic offense if the marijuana product seal has been broken, some of the product has been consumed and there’s evidence that it was used in the car.

Can I grow cannabis at home for personal use?

Coloradans can grow marijuana in their homes for personal use. 

  • Up to six plants are allowed per Colorado resident over age 21, with as many as three plants flowering at one time.
  • Don’t forget that counties and municipalities can pass stricter laws. For example, Denver limits a home grow to 12 plants, even if there are three or more adults over age 21 in the residence. Be sure to check your local laws for specific details. 
  • The laws are different for medical marijuana consumers.

Marijuana plants must be kept in an enclosed, locked area that can’t be viewed openly. This means the plants can’t be outside.

  • At homes with residents under 21, any marijuana grow area must be enclosed and locked in a separate space that minors can’t access.
  • At homes without residents under 21, extra precautions must be taken to make sure any visiting youth don’t have access to marijuana plants. 

Homegrown marijuana or marijuana products can’t be sold to anyone.

  • Only licensed marijuana businesses can sell marijuana products.

My employer says I can’t have recreational cannabis at work, can they do that?

The following information applies to retail marijuana, not medical use.

Employers don’t have to allow employees to use marijuana products. When Coloradans passed Amendment 64, they voted to give employers choices about marijuana use. Employers can:

  • Test employees for marijuana and other drugs.
  • Make employment decisions based on drug test results.

Consult your legal counsel to determine how your hiring and employment policies align with Amendment 64.

Any use of marijuana on your business’ property may be considered public use, which is illegal.

Amendment 64 made it legal for adults 21 and older to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana at any time. However, businesses can choose to ban the possession of retail marijuana on their property.

  • Business owners may implement marijuana possession and use policies that are more strict, not less, than state law. 

Property owners can make their own choices about marijuana on their property.

  • Owners of private properties, including hospitals, businesses, hotels and other facilities, are allowed to ban marijuana possession and use on their properties. For example, Denver International Airport has banned the possession, use and transfer (giving) of any marijuana products on airport grounds.
  • Rental property owners and hotels have the right to ban the possession and use of marijuana products on their properties.

Colorado Cannabis License Types

There are many different license types for cannabis in Colorado. We are here to help you understand which one is the best for you and your business.

Medical Marijuana Store

Allows the holder to operate a business that sells Medical Marijuana to Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry Patients and Transporting Caregivers, as described in 44-10-501C.R.S.

Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facility

Allows the holder to operate a cultivation business to grow and harvest Medical Marijuana, as described in 44-10-502C.R.S.

Medical Marijuana Products Manufacturer

Allows the holder to operate a business that produces Medical Marijuana Products such as edibles, concentrates or tinctures. These licensees are only authorized to wholesale their products to MED licensed Medical Marijuana Centers as described in 44-10-503 C.R.S.

Medical Marijuana Testing Facility

Allows the holder to operate a facility that conducts potency and contaminants testing and research for MED Medical Marijuana business licenses as described in 44-10-504 C.R.S.

Medical Marijuana Transporter

Allows the holder to provide transportation and temporary storage services to MED Licensed Medical Marijuana Businesses as described in 44-10-505 C.R.S.

Medical Marijuana Business Operator

Allows the holder to provide professional operational services to one or more MED Licensed Medical Marijuana Businesses as described in 44-10-506 C.R.S.

Medical Marijuana Research and Development

Allows the holder to grow, cultivate, possess and transfer marijuana for use in research only as described in 44-10-507 C.R.S.

Retail Marijuana Store

Allows the holder to operate a business that sells Retail Marijuana to an individual twenty-one years of age or older as described in 44-10-601 C.R.S.

Retail Marijuana Cultivation Facility

Allows the holder to operate a facility to grow and harvest Retail Marijuana plants as described in 44-10-602 C.R.S.

Retail Marijuana Product Manufacturer

Allows the holder to operate a facility that manufactures retail marijuana-infused products such as edibles, concentrates or tinctures as described in 44-10-603 C.R.S.

Retail Marijuana Testing Facility

Allows the holder to operate a facility that conducts potency and contaminants testing for other MED Licensed Retail Marijuana businesses as described in 44-10-604 C.R.S.

Retail Marijuana Transporter

Allows the holder to provide transportation and temporary storage services to Retail Marijuana Businesses as described in 44-10-605 C.R.S.

Retail Marijuana Operator

Allows the holder to provide professional operational services to one or more Retail Marijuana Businesses as described in 44-10-606 C.R.S.

Retail Marijuana Accelerator Cultivator

Allows the holder to operate a retail marijuana product manufacturing operation on the site of a retail marijuana products manufacturing facility with an accelerator endorsement as described in 44-10-607 C.R.S.

Retail Marijuana Accelerator Manufacture

Allows the holder to operate a retail marijuana product manufacturing operation on the site of a retail marijuana product manufacturing facility with an accelerator endorsement as described in 44-10-608 C.R.S.

Marijuana Hospitality Business

Allows the holder to operate a premise in which marijuana may be consumed as described in 44-10-609 C.R.S.

Retail Marijuana Hospitality and Sales Business

Allow the holder to operate licensed premises within which marijuana may be sold and consumed as described in 44-10-610 C.R.S.

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