Growing Marijuana In Colorado

Congratulations Colorado, you win the prize for best marijuana policy in the United States. (It’s a coveted award.) Since the entire world knows that it is legal for adults 21 years and older to grow and use small amounts of marijuana in Colorado, I am going to talk about what is not legal. That way, all of our Colorado weed lovers can stay out of trouble.

Growing in Colorado

Marijuana was legalized and decriminalized for personal and medical use in Colorado, not for becoming the next worldwide weed supplier. So if you plan to grow as a business you’ll need to be an approved caregiver or a registered grower with the state.

Caregivers are adults 18 and older that are responsible for growing weed in Colorado for up to 5 patients. Those patients should be registered and have one of the following conditions: cachexia, cancer, chronic pain, chronic nervous system disorders, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV or AIDS, multiple sclerosis, or nausea. Caregivers can grow up to six plants per patient.

If you are not a caregiver, and are at least 21 years old, you can grow up to six plants, and you can transfer (share) up to one ounce at a time. If you transfer more than an ounce but less than 8oz, it is not legal, but there are no clear guidelines on the charge. At best, it is considered possession and is a misdemeanor with jail time.

Growing under age 21

Adults aged 21 years old and older can legally grow weed in Colorado, but if you are not 21, you either need to be a caregiver or be a medical marijuana patient. Once again, if you are caught growing or using marijuana while, under the age of 21, there is no clear guideline on what the charge will be. Colorado left that scenario out.

Where Colorado loses points

Here are some other weed-related laws that aren’t so awesome.

• It is a petty offense to possess marijuana paraphernalia. You could be charged $100 fine for having items specifically used for weed if not a medical marijuana patient. One way to prevent that is by growing weed in Colorado without using paraphernalia. I explain some ways to do this in my Marijuana Grow Bible.
• Smoking up to 2oz in public is a petty offense.  If you are caught enjoying in public, you could pay a $100 fine but no jail time. There used to be an additional punishment of 15 days in jail, but luckily there is no longer any jail time until you’re caught with 2 or more ounces of weed.

There is also mandatory jail time for anyone that sells weed to someone under the age of 15. If found guilty of this, you will most likely sit in jail until they are 18 years old.  Colorado doesn’t necessarily lose points for this one, but it is a good thing to keep in mind.

As you can see, it’s pretty hard to get in trouble for marijuana in Colorado. So raise your vape, eat your brownies, and roll your blunt- it’s time to get started growing weed in Colorado.

Latest Updates

December 2016 – New Laws for Colorado Home Growers

Marijuana legislation can be complicated, but Jenny Bloom is always up for the task. Although not a lawyer, her experience as a reporter and PR specialist helps her understand legalese – especially when it relates to growing marijuana. A passionate supporter of legalization and home... [read more]