January 1, 2014 was a huge day in American cannabis legalization history. Colorado has legalized marijuana and made it available for purchase in stores.
If you're thinking of going on a stoner's dream vacation, here are a few things you should know about the new Amsterdam of America.
The legal age to consume alcohol in America is 21. Colorado has decided that this is an appropriate age to partake in the cannabis festivities. Unfortunately, for 19-year-old Canucks who are legal to consume alcohol north of the border, the countdown still continues for you!
Now that Colorado has legalized recreationally, tourism in the already desirable Rocky Mountain State is expected to boom. If you are in Colorado, then you can legally possess up to an ounce. However, tourists are only able to purchase a quarter of an ounce at a time.
If you're thinking about going on a weedy road trip out of the state, think again. It's illegal to take the herb outside of Colorado's borders.
Colorado law states that marijuana cannot be consumed "openly and publicly." Denver officials have been very specific stating that "publicly" means sidewalks, restaurants, parks music venues and cars. Hotels are opening some of their rooms to be smoke-friendly – but only 25% – so if you're heading to Colorado, plan ahead!
Not all of Colorado has approved recreational marijuana sales. There are many municipalities that have chosen to opt out of the Green Dream. Denver will be leading Colorado with the most marijuana retail stores. With tourism expected to surge in the areas that are pro-pot, lines may be long at the Cannabis shops, so expect things to take a while and expect prices to be more expensive than you're used too. The retail stores also only accept cash!
Washington State has also legalized marijuana for recreational purposes and other states are moving in that direction as well. While there are many positive changes happening in the US, please remember that marijuana is still illegal according to federal law, even in Colorado and Washington! Activists across the US are still pushing hard to legalize marijuana completely throughout the country, but there's still a lot of work to do.
If you are heading to Colorado to get high "legally", expect to learn a lot about the fight for marijuana freedom!
