Status: Legal

History:

1917: cannabis prohibited in Colorado
2000: Medical cannabis legalised (approval by a doctor, with a qualifying condition. Dispensary system with allowance for home cultivation)
2012: Recreational use legalised 
2013: Sales began in September 

Policy Framework:

• Only people 21-years-of-age or older can possess, purchase or consume cannabis;
• Possession is limited to 1oz (28g) at a time per adult;
• Public use is illegal;
• Driving under the influence is illegal;
• Excise tax of 15% applies to all cannabis-containing products;
• Adults over 21 can give up to an ounce of cannabis to another adult but cannot sell it;
• Minor packaging requirements - resealable and not transparent, must have required symbol on the package;
• 10% sales tax applies to all cannabis-containing products on top of Colorado’s standard 2.9% sales tax;
• Only licensed retailers can sell cannabis;
• Possession of more than 1oz of cannabis is a petty offense (like a speeding ticket) punishable by a fine of up to $US100;
• Possession of more than 2oz (56g) of cannabis is a misdemeanour punishable by up to 18 months in prison and fines of up to $US5000;
• Possession of more than 12oz (340g) of cannabis is a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and fines of up to $US100,000;
• Unlicensed distribution with remuneration or more than 1oz is a misdemeanour punishable by up to 18 months in prison and fines of up to $US5000;
• Unlicensed distribution of more than 6oz (170g) is a felony punishable by up to 32 years in prison and fines of up to $US1,000,000;
• Cultivation of more than six plants is a felony punishable by up to six years in prison and fines of up to $US500,000;

Sources: Norml, Colorado Department of Health and the Environment

Outcomes:

• Youth marijuana use increased by 20% between 2013 and 2014, while usage among adults increased by 17% during the same period;
• According to the Department of Revenue, the Colorado marijuana tax brought in about $US302 million in 2019;
• Total cannabis sales across the state rose from $US699.2 million in 2014 to $US1.51 billion in 2017;
• Data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows Colorado's GDP increased by roughly $US41 billion since legalisation;
• Visits to emergency room related to cannabis increase;
• Car crash rate increase, but no increase in fatalities;
• $US1.55 billion in sales, 98% of which were purchased for recreational use;
• Rate of 12-17-year-olds using cannabis is the lowest it has been since 2008;
• The number of drivers involved in fatal crashes who were tested above the level of impairment limit decreased from 52 to 35;
• Organised crime rates have tripled in five years;
• Between 2005 and 2017, cannabis use disorder in people over the age of 12 increased from 1.7% to 2.3%.
• Colorado has tracked the public health implications of legalisation through the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey which includes questions about lifetime use, age of initiation, location of use, method of use, source of marijuana and perceptions of marijuana.
  
  
  Source: https://crime-data-explorer.fr.cloud.gov/explorer/state/colorado/crime