Key Takeaways
- Colorado is the home to one of the biggest and the best 420 communities in the world, but it’s important to make sure you’re properly prepared.
- Even though recreational cannabis is legal in Colorado, there are still some laws to be aware of. Make sure you’re keeping yourself safe and legal to ensure a pleasant experience.
- Cannabis delivery has been legalized on a statewide level in Colorado, but local municipalities still need to opt-in.
Bits of 420 Knowledge for Colorado Cannabis Consumers
Colorado is one of the best places to live or visit if you’re interested in cannabis. Our industry is well developed, which means we have access to many of the best cannabis products and premium strains. From edibles and concentrates to cannabis vape pens or potent cannabis flower, you can find just about any kind of product you might imagine.
This is great news for residents, and it’s also caused a spike in cannabis tourism. People come from all over the country to see what it’s all about. If you’re here to visit, make sure you get the most from your visit instead of overdoing it with edibles and sleeping your whole vacation away.
Here is a couple of do’s and don’ts to get the most from your cannabis experience in Colorado:
Do’s:
- Research the Dispensaries – There are so many dispensaries in Denver, and they’re not all the same. Make sure you’re finding one with a good reputation for having the best cannabis, the lowest prices, and the friendliest service. If you’re flying into Denver, finding a dispensary near Denver International Airport is a bonus and can help expedite your trip around town.
- Enjoy the Shopping Process – Just as there are important differences between the many Denver dispensaries, every cannabis product you will encounter has its own unique properties. Even beyond the many different products you can enjoy, each strain has its own characteristics. Appreciate the diversity and have fun with the shopping experience.
- Pick Your Spot – One of the best things about legal cannabis is that you don’t have to sneak around like a highschooler smoking a joint behind the gym. That said, you’re not allowed to just spark up wherever you please simply because you’re in Colorado. Learn about where you can and cannot smoke to ensure you stay focused on enjoying the experience instead of getting paranoid that you’ll get in trouble. If you’re from out of town, that probably starts with 420-friendly lodging.
Don’ts:
- Smoke and Drive – Denver has some public transportation, but the best way to get around the city freely is generally by car. Whether you’re renting a car or driving your own, don’t drive under the influence. Don’t smoke in the car or drive after eating an edible. It’s dangerous and illegal, and there are plenty of Uber’s and Lyft’s to get you around safely
- Overdo it with edibles – If you’re already experienced with edibles, you know the deal. If you’re not, maybe it’s best to start by smoking or vaping your weed. For one thing, it can be hard to know how many milligrams of cannabis edibles will be an appropriate serving size for you. Everyone responds to THC differently. That’s true for smoking and vaping, too, but the problem some people run into with edibles is that it takes a while to understand how your body is processing the cannabinoids. By the time your edibles kick in (which is often about an hour), it could be too late, and the experience of edibles lasts for a long time.
- Flaunt your weed in public – Just because cannabis is legal in Colorado doesn’t mean you should smell like the inside of a bong. There’s still some stigma attached in some places, and you can’t expect every crowd to be 420 friendly. If you want to enjoy everything Denver has to offer, it’s best to go about the city without having to worry about what you smell like. Don’t bring your stash anywhere you shouldn’t have it, and always be respectful of the other people around you, especially in places where children are present or where cannabis isn’t permitted.
Medical and Recreational Marijuana Laws in Colorado
Even though recreational cannabis is legal in Colorado, there’s still a medical marijuana program as well. If you’re just visiting the state, it probably doesn’t make sense to apply for a medical card. Still, you should be aware that some dispensaries may only serve medical marijuana patients and not recreational cannabis consumers.
There are a few different reasons some people still choose to get medical marijuana cards instead of simply buying recreational cannabis:
- If you purchase a lot of cannabis, having your medical marijuana card can save you money in the long run.
- Medical marijuana patients can buy and possess larger quantities than recreational cannabis consumers.
- Medical marijuana patients get access to some products recreational consumers can’t get, such as edibles with much higher levels of THC in each package.
- Some people do it for social reasons. It’s their way of showing that they’re medicating and not just buying cannabis to have fun.
While cultivation and possession of cannabis are allowed across Colorado, every town and county is allowed to decide whether to accept pot businesses within their jurisdictions. For example, these counties DO NOT allow for cannabis sales: Bent, Cheyenne, Crowley, Custer, Delta, Dolores, Douglas, Gunnison, Lincoln, Otero, Sedgwick, and Weld.
Colorado Purchasing Limits and Possession Limits
The first thing you should know is that it’s illegal for individuals under the age of 21 years old to purchase or enjoy recreational cannabis. If you’re not 21 yet, you’re out of luck unless you’re a Colorado resident who plans on applying for a medical marijuana card. Even then, some medical dispensaries (like ours) are 21+ for medical patients as well.
Adults 21 years of age or older can buy up to one ounce of cannabis a day. Different products like concentrates and edibles count differently than normal cannabis flower does, so be mindful of the conversion rates or ask someone at the dispensary to help you understand. Your budtender will make sure you’re not placing an illegal order.
If you’re a visitor, you’re not allowed to take your stash with you when you leave the state. This is true even if you’re going to another state where recreational cannabis is legal because it would involve crossing state lines, and cannabis is still illegal on a federal level in the United States.
It’s important to note that the daily purchase limit is one ounce for recreational customers, not one ounce per dispensary. If you intend to visit more than one dispensary, make sure you are purchasing beneath that ounce limit so you aren’t doing anything illegal.
Unfortunately, you can’t sell what’s left of your stash to a friend, either. One adult of at least 21 years of age can give up to one ounce of cannabis to another adult of at least 21 years of age as a gift. Money, favors, future consideration, etc., cannot be exchanged.
Finally, as mentioned above, be mindful of where you bring and consume cannabis. You can still get in legal trouble for consuming cannabis where you shouldn’t be. Worrying about whether or not you’re going to get found out can make the experience a lot less fun, so just make good choices and keep it legal. Visit a Denver dispensary for a quick and convenient experience or call us at (303) 375-6652.
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