DENVER (KDVR) — Recreational adult-use marijuana has been sold in Colorado for over a decade now.
Last year, FOX31 debunked the myth that everyone in Colorado smokes marijuana. But for those who do, it might be helpful to know where you can legally consume cannabis, THC or marijuana products.
Just because it is legal in Colorado does not mean cannabis can be consumed everywhere. In fact, Colorado law prohibits using marijuana in public in any way, whether it be eating, smoking or vaping. There is an exception though.
Public marijuana use is illegal in Colorado
It is illegal to consume marijuana in any public place that is observable to the public or which the public can access without restriction in Colorado.
According to Colorado law, smoking, eating or vaping marijuana products is not allowed in public places, including but not limited to:
- Sidewalks
- Parks and amusement parks
- Ski resorts and areas
- Concert venues
- Businesses
- Restaurants, cafes or bars
- Common areas of apartment buildings or condominiums
Additionally, marijuana is still illegal on a federal level, meaning it cannot be used on federal land including national parks, forests and ski slopes.
What about businesses?
The Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act prohibits indoor smoking in most public places, whether it be marijuana or tobacco. That means even hotel operators cannot permit smoking inside hotel rooms.
Denver law prohibits marijuana consumption on hotel balconies if the act is visible from any public place. The state recommends asking hotel operators if they allow patrons to smoke marijuana on balconies.
However, marijuana consumption is allowed in licensed marijuana hospitality businesses, which can share a location with a restaurant but not with a liquor-licensed establishment. Otherwise, marijuana consumption is not allowed in any business that doesn’t hold a marijuana hospitality business license.
Any property owner, including businesses, can determine the rules regarding the possession or use of marijuana on a property, according to Colorado law.
Marijuana in cars
It is unlawful to use or consume marijuana in a motor vehicle, according to Colorado law.
Marijuana can be carried in cars if it is not in an open container, but it cannot cross state lines.
Like alcohol, it is illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana. According to Colorado law, drivers with 5 nanograms of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per milliliter of whole blood can be prosecuted for DUI charges. The same applies to medical marijuana use.
Some places have varying laws and policies
Public marijuana consumption is generally prohibited under Colorado law, however, some laws and policies regarding marijuana vary by county.
The state’s website directs those with localized questions to an online list of marijuana resources by county or town.
Where Coloradans can legally consume marijuana
Recreational marijuana use is fair game on private property, as long as the owner permits.
The state recommends asking property owners before using marijuana in Colorado because any property owner can legally limit marijuana use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, transportation, sale or growth of marijuana on their property.
Notably, the laws revolving around recreational marijuana use vary by location and may be different for medical marijuana use. The laws reviewed here are for the state.
