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.