Cannabis law in Colorado (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Colorado removed the offence of possessing 2 ounces of marijuana or less in 2021, and licensed retail marijuana stores operate under state law. Residential growing is capped at 12 plants per home, and public display or use is an offence outside licensed hospitality premises. Medical marijuana is available to patients; visitor rules were not confirmed.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Possession for personal usePersonal use by an adult | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Quantity limitsPersonal use by an adult | Possession of 2 ounces of marijuana or less is no longer an offence (the possession offence for 2 oz or less was eliminated by HB21-1090). [1] |
| Growing at homePersonal use by an adult | Permitted within limits [2] |
| Sale to consumersPersonal use by an adult | Licensed retail stores for adults [3] |
| Use or carrying in public placesPersonal use by an adult | Prohibited [4] |
| Medical cannabisPersonal use by an adult | Legal for medical use [3] |
| VisitorsPersonal use by an adult | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Driving after cannabis usePersonal use by an adult | Driving under the influence of any impairing substance, including cannabis, is illegal. Drivers with 5 ng or more of delta-9 THC per ml of whole blood can be prosecuted for DUI. [5] |
Notes
- Read from the signed acts and fiscal notes of the General Assembly (2017, 2019 and 2021). The current statute text and the state cannabis pages could not be read from this server, and later amendments were not checked.
- The official Colorado cannabis pages and statute PDFs could not be read; only the General Assembly's bill summary for HB21-1090 was available.
- Not yet confirmed: the Colorado state cannabis site and statute documents could not be read.
Sources
- Colorado General Assembly: HB21-1090 Criminal Marijuana Offenses (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Colorado General Assembly: HB17-1220 Prevent Marijuana Diversion To Illegal Market (Signed Act) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Colorado General Assembly, Legislative Council Staff: HB21-1317 Regulating Marijuana Concentrates, Final Fiscal Note (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Colorado General Assembly: HB19-1230 Marijuana Hospitality Establishments (Signed Act) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Colorado Department of Transportation: Can I get a DUI for driving high? (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| Possession for personal use | Criminal offence (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Growing at home | Prohibited (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
| Sale to consumers | Prohibited (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
Colorado and neighbouring states
| State | Possession for personal use | Growing at home | Sale to consumers | Use or carrying in public places | Medical cannabis | Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | ⚠ Not yet verified | Up to 6 plants per person; 12 per home | Licensed retail stores | Banned in public; licensed venues excepted | Yes, for registered patients | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Kansas | Criminal offence | No (felony) | No | — | No programme; CBD-oil defence only | — |
| Nebraska | 1 oz or less: infraction, $300 fine (first time) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | Legal for qualified patients; programme not yet running | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| New Mexico | Legal for adults 21+, within limits | Yes: 12 plants, 6 mature | Licensed retailers | Banned in public spaces | Medical cannabis programme | Source silent on visitors |
| Oklahoma | Criminal offence without a medical licence | ⚠ Not yet verified | Prohibited (licensed medical dispensaries only) | — | Licensed patients (broad access) | Out-of-state medical patients: 30-day licence |
| Utah | Criminal offence (misdemeanour) | Prohibited | Prohibited (medical pharmacies only) | — | Patients with provider recommendation | — |
| Wyoming | Criminal offence (misdemeanour) | Prohibited (misdemeanour) | Supply is an offence | — | No medical programme | — |
More rules in Colorado
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph business, 30 mph residential · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph (40 mph open mountain highways)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (minor licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (permissible fireworks only) · Minimum age to buy: 16
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed: banned over 3.5 in blade · Locking or one-handed knives: Only ballistic knives banned outright
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $15.16 per hour (2026)
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes (adults: secondary enforcement) · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Under 18 only
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (under 21 may not be served or buy) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (under 21 may not be served or buy)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% under 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.