Marijuana legalization for adults has changed the culture in Colorado. Police officers can no longer search houses or arrest people based on that distinctive odor of cannabis alone.
Most adults who purchase and use marijuana will do so in compliance with state laws. However, in a small number of circumstances, you can face criminal charges for marijuana possession.
When could you still get arrested over marijuana in Colorado, the first state to legalize marijuana?
When you have too much of it
If you only shop at one dispensary, they have a limit on how much you purchase so that you don’t inadvertently break state law. If you stop at several dispensaries or grow your own, you could actually have far more than is legal under state law. You can only have one ounce of marijuana at a time. If you get caught with too much in your possession, that could lead to charges.
When you drive after using it
Although marijuana does not affect you the same way that alcohol does, it is still illegal to get behind the wheel of a car after consuming it. If you test positive during a traffic stop or after a car crash, your previous use of marijuana could lead to criminal charges or exacerbate the charges against you.
When you use it in public
Although possessing marijuana is now legal, the police may still arrest you if you smoke it while walking down the sidewalk or in a local park. In fact, you could find yourself facing federal charges if you get caught on federal lands with marijuana.
Learning the restrictions that still exist despite legalization can help you avoid a possible drug charge.