Drug offenses in Colorado are slightly different than some states because of the legalization of marijuana. Despite it being legal, there are still times when a person can be charged with a crime for possessing or selling marijuana. Here are some quick facts about marijuana, the laws in the state of Colorado and what you need to do to have it or sell it legally.
What kind of licenses should a seller have?
In Denver, there are seven kinds of licenses ranging from retail marijuana store licenses to licenses for medical marijuana centers. The license you need to obtain if you want to sell or grow marijuana depends on the processes you plan on doing. If you’re only selling and not cultivating, for instance, you may not need a license for a cultivation or testing facility.
Can anyone apply to sell marijuana?
In fact, only those who were already selling medical marijuana, or manufacturing or cultivating marijuana as of October 2013, were allowed to obtain licenses before January 1, 2016. Today, it’s possible to obtain a license regardless of your standing as a cultivator or seller in the past.
What’s the process for obtaining a retail store license?
Since your facility would need to be licensed by the city and state, there has to be a public hearing to discuss the location, as well as arranging inspections to make sure your store is up to standard. If you are granted a license, you will also need to make sure you have a license to transport marijuana if you will be delivering it to or from your facility.
If you’re in violation of any of these terms, except for growing marijuana in some small quantities, you can be accused of a drug crime despite marijuana now being legal. If you have questions, it’s vital to make sure you ask and understand the laws fully.
Source: Colorado.gov, “Marijuana Retailers & Home Growers,” accessed Aug. 09, 2016