If you’re planning a trip to Colorado, you have a lot of things to look forward to. Unbelievable natural beauty, booming world-class cities, and a population with a laidback, progressive sensibility are the norm here.
And if you’re a fan of cannabis, for medicinal or recreational purposes, it is possible for tourists to buy marijuana while they’re in Colorado.
How, you ask?
We will detail the steps below and include any helpful tips for procuring cannabis in Colorado as a tourist.
Step #1: Now Where Colorado’s Marijuana Laws Stand
The first step to buying marijuana as a tourist in Colorado is to ensure you know the gist of the state’s cannabis laws. That way, you don’t step outside the bounds of what’s legally allowed and land in trouble.
Who Can Legally Purchase Marijuana?
In the state of Colorado, any adult over the age of 21 can legally purchase marijuana. So if you’re under 21, sorry, you will not be able to legally purchase marijuana while in Colorado!
I’m a Tourist Over the Age of 21, How About Me?
Yes! The laws apply to Colorado residents and tourists alike. As long as you’re 21 and over with valid government-issued photo identification, you can purchase cannabis from a dispensary (more on those ahead!)
How Much Marijuana Can I Buy at One Time?
Whether you’re a tourist or a local, the maximum purchase amounts are the same.
- If you’re buying cannabis flower, you can purchase up to 1 oz at a time
- If you’re buying edibles, you can purchase up to 800 mg
- If you’re buying cannabis concentrates, you can purchase up to 8 g
Now that we have covered the basic rules for purchasing marijuana in the state, we’ll continue to the next steps for purchasing it.
Step #2: Visit a Dispensary
There are hundreds of marijuana dispensaries across the state of Colorado that sell marijuana to residents and tourists alike.
You simply enter, place your order for what you want, and show a valid ID to prove you are over 21.
To find the nearest dispensary to your accommodations or other points of interest, check out this comprehensive dispensary map on Veriheal’s website.
Step #3: Know Where to Enjoy Your Cannabis
Procuring cannabis legally in Colorado is pretty simple for a tourist.
However, the biggest challenge you may face is knowing where you can safely enjoy your marijuana.
If you bought edibles, this may not be an issue. But if you bought flower or concentrate to smoke, it’s not exactly easy to not alert anyone nearby, thanks to the scent.
It remains illegal to consume cannabis in public, which makes things tricky. And unless you have permission from your hotel, Airbnb, hostel, or wherever you’re staying, you cannot smoke in your room, on the balcony, or anywhere else on the property’s grounds.
Since marijuana use is still illegal federally, you absolutely do not want to consume your stash on federal grounds, such as at national parks. And law enforcement is especially hard on people who smoke in their parked cars, so ixnay that idea, too.
Okay, at this point, you may well wonder: where can I actually consume my cannabis in peace in the state of Colorado?
To find specific weed-friendly spots throughout the state, check out this resource. It lists specific businesses organized by city that allow you to consume your cannabis hassle-free. Just be sure to bring your ID!
Conclusion
If you’re wondering how tourists can buy marijuana while they’re in Colorado, this article should answer all your questions.
Just remember to know the state’s laws and stay within them.
And, it’s more crucial than ever to be on your best behavior if your cannabis enthusiast is visiting Colorado. Yes, the laws are pretty relaxed here, but it’s also something of a social experiment, with every other U.S. state monitoring.
Don’t purchase cannabis, get rowdy, and commit crimes! That will not only land you in hot water, but it can serve as an example to other states that cannabis use is dangerous. And there’s nothing saying that Colorado’s own laws cannot change.
Respect the system to keep it working in your favor and the favor of locals and tourists for years to come.
