Colorado Medical Marijuana Legislation

Legislation

You may use marijuana for medical purposes if you meet certain guidelines. This article helps explain how to get a medical marijuana prescription in the State of Colorado and will introduce you to the requirements and process to obtaining a Medical Marijuana Registry identification card. This ID card is mandatory if you wish to legally use marijuana in Colorado.

To legally use marijuana for health purposes, you must be diagnosed with a debilitating medical disease by a licensed physician and he/she must recommend the use of medical marijuana as part of your treatment. Since marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug by the federal government, it cannot be prescribed by a doctor and therefore cannot be acquired from a pharmacy. However, if your doctor has recommended the use of medical marijuana you can apply to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for a Medical Marijuana Registry identification card, which allows you to legally use marijuana.

Colorado Marijuana Law Facts:

Possession of one ounce or less is considered a petty crime

Maximum penalty for possession of one ounce or less in $100 fine

Displaying or using marijuana in public results in 15 days in jail

Possession of greater than one ounce is a misdemeanor

Misdemeanor possession punishable by 6-18 months in jail and a fine of $500 - $5,000, with an additional $600 surcharge

Possession of greater than eight ounces is considered a felony

Felony possession punishable by 1 - 3 years in prison and a fine of $1,000 - $100,000 with an additional surcharge of $1,125

Legal marijuana patients may possess up to two ounces without breaking the law

Legal marijuana patients may possess up to six plants, three mature and three immature)

Transfers of less than an ounce, without an exchange of money, are treated as petty crime possessions

Transfers of any amount for money are considered a felony

Felony transfers punishable by 2 – 4 years in prison and a fine of $2,000 - $500,000, with an additional $1,500 surcharge

Source: NORML

Read the official Colorado Bill allowing for the medical use of Marijuana.

Apply for your Medical Marijuana Identification Card.