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.

You can learn more about employment within the medical and retail marijuana industries from the Department of Revenue.

Do I have to be a Colorado resident in order to apply for a cannabis retail/medical license?

All applicants must demonstrate at least two years of Colorado residency when applying for a license, and pass criminal and credit background checks. 

Where can I find information regarding whether the sale of marijuana has been allowed by my city or county?

Contact your local city or county to find out what their rules on marijuana may be. You may be able to find contact information for your city or county at Colorado Counties Inc. (CCI) or the Colorado Municipal League (CML).

Also, the Colorado Department of Revenue – Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) has additional information under “Local Authorities Allowing Regulated Marijuana Businesses” on the Marijuana Business License web page. Please note that this list is not comprehensive, rather, it is based on information provided to the Department by local authorities.

What is contract price?

The Contract Price is defined as “the invoice price charged by a retail marijuana cultivation facility to each (unaffiliated retail marijuana business) licensed purchaser for each sale or transfer of unprocessed retail marijuana, exclusive of any tax that is included in the written invoice price, and exclusive of any discount or other reduction.”

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.