Colorado
Regulatory Framework
The Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) is an office within the Colorado Department of Revenue responsible for regulating both medical and adult-use cannabis in Colorado [1]. The division is led by a senior director appointed by department leadership.
Legal Status
Market | Status | Statute | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Adult-Use | Legal | Amendment 64 | 2012 [2] |
Medical | Legal | Amendment 20 | 2000 |
Track-and-Trace
Metrc is the required track-and-trace system for all MED licensed medical and retail marijuana businesses [3]. MED maintains a Data and Resources page which includes a revenue dashboard, along with other licensing data and reports from the division [4].
Licensing
The following retail and medical marijuana license types are available in Colorado [5]:
- Retail Marijuana Store
- Retail Marijuana Products Manufacturer
- Retail Marijuana Cultivation Facility
- Retail Marijuana Testing Facility
- Retail Marijuana Business Operator
- Retail Marijuana Transporter
- Retail Marijuana Transporter No Premises
- Medical Marijuana Store
- Medical Marijuana Transporter
- Medical Marijuana Products Manufacturer
- Medical Marijuana Transporter No Premises
- Medical Marijuana Testing Facility
- Marijuana Research & Development Facility
- Medical Marijuana Business Operator
- Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facility
Possession Limits
Item | Possession Limit | Source |
---|---|---|
"Marijuana" | 2 ounces | [6] |
Cultivated plants | Up to 6 plants, with a maximum of 3 flowering at a time | [7] |
Medical Cannabis
To be eligible for a medical marijuana card in Colorado, you must be a Colorado resident 18 or older with a qualifying medical condition and be examined by a doctor [8]. Qualifying medical conditions include: [9]
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Cachexia
- Persistent muscle spasms
- Seizures
- Severe nausea
- Severe pain
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Any condition for which a physician could prescribe an opioid
Additional Resources
- Wikipedia: Cannabis in Colorado https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_in_Colorado
- Colorado Department of Revenue "COLORADO MARIJUANA RULES" https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=8439
- Colorado MED Industry Bulletins https://sbg.colorado.gov/med/industry-bulletins
References
- [1] https://sbg.colorado.gov/marijuana-enforcement
- [2] https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/14_marijuanalegis.pdf
- [3] https://sbg.colorado.gov/med/metrc-marijuana-inventory-tracking-system
- [4] https://sbg.colorado.gov/med/resources-and-reports
- [5] https://sbg.colorado.gov/sites/sbg/files/documents/DR%208548e%20RMB%20App%205-2022.pdf
- [6] https://cannabis.colorado.gov/legal-marijuana-use/laws-about-marijuana-use
- [7] https://cannabis.colorado.gov/legal-marijuana-use/home-grow-laws
- [8] https://cdphe.colorado.gov/medical-marijuana-registry-patients
- [9] https://cdphe.colorado.gov/medical-marijuana-registry-providers