A Guide to Recreational Weed in Colorado
(Updated July 2024)
The Cannabis industry in Colorado has been growing steadily since it was legalized in 2012, with an increase in numbers of places where you can buy and enjoy cannabis. In Colorado, there is a distinction made between medicinal and recreational cannabis use, with different laws attached to them. Colorado is seeing an increased number of tourists, who are looking to take advantage of these changes, but it is important that you know the facts. Here are some very helpful Colorado recreational marijuana tips.
How Can I Find Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries?
There are now more than 670 recreational marijuana stores in Colorado, but while the state law says that you can legally sell cannabis between 8 am and midnight, cities can impose their own laws within those limits. For example, in Denver, vendors may only sell marijuana until 7 pm.
You must be 21 years old and above to legally purchase marijuana. If you are between the ages of 18 and 21, you will need to apply for a medical card to do a purchase. Only those who are residents of Colorado can apply for a medical marijuana card while you do not have to be a resident to purchase recreational marijuana. It is also not legal to buy marijuana from an unlicensed source. Medical marijuana patients may purchase and possess 2 ounces of marijuana at a time.
There are still some cities in Colorado which don’t allow recreational marijuana stores, so if you are planning a trip to the state and hoping to be buying cannabis, you might want to check out which cities are actually allowing stores. Use our helpful weed map to find a dispensary in a city near you to find Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries and Medical Marijuana Dispensaries.
Here is our favorite dispensary where you can buy recreational and medical marijuana late at night, until 12am: Life Flower Dispensary LLC
Where Can I Smoke Weed in Colorado? A Guide to Colorado Recreational Marijuana Laws
Whether you prefer to smoke, vape or eat your cannabis, you can almost always find what you are looking for. Legally, you (21 years old and above) are allowed to possess up to 2 ounces but non-residents are only legally allowed to buy and possess 1 ounce. The price of an ounce seems to be falling rapidly with the average price of a 1/8 ounce are anywhere from $15-$50 depending upon the strain of weed you choose.
While you are free to roam in Colorado with your personal stash, it is still illegal in our neighboring states, and the Police especially in these states pay particular attention to those who are crossing into their territory from ours. They use profiling techniques to target those who they think are likely to be in possession of cannabis, and will happily stop you and search you and your vehicle. So don’t bother taking a pot souvenir with you across state lines – it’s not worth it.
The US postal service also pays particular attention to packages leaving Colorado, so forget sending it out of state. :0
For the official rules and regulations visit Denver’s government page for the fine print on recreational marijuana laws in Colorado.
Can I Smoke Weed in Public in Denver Colorado?
At the moment the law does not allow the smoking of pot in public spaces or licensed public places. This includes transportation facilities, schools, public entertainment and amusement venues, parks and cafes located in an open space like a rooftop. Also, you cannot smoke marijuana indoors in any public areas like office buildings and restaurants. In Colorado, discretion is appreciated, and must be done in a private residence or a marijuana-friendly venue.
Some ‘private membership cannabis clubs’ have been springing up recently, where you can buy a one-day membership, and enjoy social smoking, chatting and chilling out in a relaxed atmosphere. The rules about these sorts of establishments are still not properly defined, so they are still not too easy to come by, but hopefully over the next few months we will see more definition, giving pot lovers more choice over where to enjoy a smoke.
Denver 420 Friendly Hotels / Marijuana-Friendly Hotels in Colorado
With the rise in the number of tourists who are coming to Colorado to enjoy a smoke and the small number of places where you can smoke, there is an increasing number of hotels which are declaring themselves ‘marijuana-friendly’. Hotels are allowed to decide for themselves whether they want to allow their guests to consume cannabis on their premises, but it seems to be an increasingly popular idea.
420 Friendly Hotels
Adagio B&B
“The first and premier 420-friendly hotel in Denver is a beautifully decorated six-bedroom Victorian lodge in the middle of the city.”
1430 Race Street Denver, CO, 80206, USA
Arrowhead Manor
“Let Arrowhead take the stress away and enjoy a beautiful luxurious property with gorgeous mountain views. Smoke safely and securely with no problems*.”
9284 U.S. Highway 285 Morrison, CO 80465
303-738-8454
Holiday Chalet
“The hotel is located on Capitol Hill and has a home-cooked breakfast to die for and is Marijuana Friendly.”
1820 E. Colfax Denver, CO 80209
Nativ Hotel Denver
“A hip and trendy marijuana friendly hotel in downtown Denver has 16 unique rooms, some with private patio or rooftop areas.”
1612 Wazee Street Denver, CO 80202
INNhale Resort and Spa
“Offers a truly unique upscale Counter Culture experience empowering our guest to choose some or none of the Rocky Mountain High experience.”
461 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829, United States
Tours
City Sessions Denver
“City Sessions Denver is a cannabis lifestyle brand that specializes in private custom tours of the cannabis industry with an educational focus.”
3377 Blake St Denver CO
Colorado Cannabis Tours
“Discreet bookings at boutique hotels, bud and breakfasts and nationwide chains. Vaporizer and smoke friendly rooms available. Rooms booked with down payments only, pay the rest when you arrive!”
1101 E Bayaud Ave, Unit #3007, Denver, Co 80209
303-420-8687
Loopr
“Hop from hotspot to hotspot around downtown Denver with the launch of our 420-friendly Green line – the safest, smartest way to enjoy all of Denver’s 420 culture and more aboard the ultimate consumption lounge.”
Denver, CO (Mobile)
Club
Club 64
“Club 64 has a list of seven 420 freindly bars and clubs that you can access by a user and password for the site.”
Location shared upon registration
303-816-3322
LOVA Canna
“LOVA is about living in the moment, expressing yourself, taking chances, and embracing life. We are an experience company and everything we do is made with love.”
3121 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
420 Friendly Lounges
Tetra 9 Private Lounge and Garden
“Tetra cannabis club is Denver’s premier private consumption lounge.”
3039 Walnut St. Denver, CO 80205, USA
720-800-3011
The Coffee Joint
“The Coffee Joint is Denver’s first licensed cannabis-consumption business.”
1130 Yuma Court Denver, CO 80204
720-583-4657
The International Church of Cannabis
“The International Church of Cannabis’ mission is to offer a home to adults everywhere who are looking to create the best version of themselves by way of the sacred plant.”
400 S Logan St. Denver, CO 80209
420 Friendly Event Spaces and Private Facility
Summit Recreational Retreat
“Colorado’s First Luxury Private Cannabis Facility”
Private location in Parker
303-841-7050
Urban Sanctuary
“It is not a lounge but a pot friendly private event space that holds pot-infused shindigs once in a while.”
2745 Welton St, Denver, CO 80205
303-993-2420
420 Friendly Bars
High Society Dispo & Lounge
“The first cannabar in Colorado! High Society is the first of its kind – a true cannabis bar with a welcoming, comfortable space for all to enjoy.”
7667 WASHINGTON ST, DENVER, CO 80229
The Lazy Lion
“The Lazy Lion is proud to have the worlds first recreational Dab Bar! Check out our varied selection of concentrates; we’ve got the best you’ll find anywhere … and the ONLY place you can come reimburse, enjoy a dab and relax with friends.”
4950 Geiger Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80915
Stoney’s Bar and Grill
“Well, we want you to be able to still enjoy Stoney’s even while we all need to stay home.”
1111 Lincoln St Capitol Hill Denver, Co 80203
Temple Nightclub
“Temple is an opulent nightlife destination with performances from world renown DJs with premiere VIP service.”
1136 Broadway Denver, CO 80203
Sub Shops
Cheba Hut Toasted Subs
“What really sets Cheba Hut apart, though, can only be experienced in our shops. We combine homegrown food with real people in a relaxed environment.”
1531 Champa St, Denver, CO 80204, United States
Medical Marijuana and Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries
Herban Underground
“Denver’s Most Distinctive Dispensary”
70 Broadway St. Denver, Colorado 80203
LoDo Wellness Center
“LoDo Wellness offers an exceptional personalized touch and is Denver’s most distinguished dispensary in the Lower Downtown Historic District.”
1617 Wazee St Unit B Denver, CO 80202
The Giving Tree of Denver
“We have Colorado’s LARGEST EDIBLE selection and have been around for over 10 years serving our community. We thrive to put a smile on every face.”
2707 W 38th Ave. Denver, CO 80211
Denver Recreational
“From our weed to wax you will notice the difference!”
2117 Larimer St Denver, CO
Euflora
“We proudly carry only the most premium Cannabis flower, edibles, concentrates, vaporizers, topicals and CBD products.”
403 16th St Denver, CO 80202
Botanico
“We are one of the most reviewed and highest rated dispensaries in the USA. We are consistently part of the conversation as one of the best dispensaries in Colorado.”
3054 Larimer St. Denver, CO
303-297-2273
Pure Marijuana Dispensary
“Denver’s Best Recreational & Medical Marijuana Dispensary”
1133 Bannock St Denver, CO 80204
Northern Lights Cannabis
“Best dispensaries and grows in Colorado”
2045 Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO
Oasis Cannabis Superstore
“We have the best cannabis strains in Denver, Colorado. We have more cannabis strains than any other cannabis dispensary in Colorado.”
5440 W 44th Ave, Mountain View, CO 80212
Kind Love Dispensary
“Kind Love is dedicated to excellence in every aspect of cultivating cannabis -from caring for a young seedling to crafting an exquisite, pure, and safe product for you.”
4380 E. Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80246
The Dab Downtown
“Here at The Dab we are all about providing top-of-the-line cannabis products at the most affordable prices.”
2119 Larimer St, Denver, Co 80205
Cannabis Station (Five Points)
Serving Denver and the Surrounding Area
1201 20th St, Denver, CO 80202
Silver Stem Fine Cannabis – Denver East
“Silver Stem is proud to be setting the standards for Fine Cannabis. Our unique growing techniques passed down from generations allow us to cultivate the finest marijuana available.”
8151 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220
Good Chemistry
“We’re deeply grateful to be living and working at a time that we can make a positive impact on people’s health, safety, freedom and overall well-being.”
330 East Colfax Avenue Denver, CO 80203
420 Friendly Restaurants
Ganja Gourmet
“Welcome to the legendary GANJA GOURMET, America’s First Legal Marijuana Restaurant and one of Colorado’s first Medical Marijuana Dispensaries!”
1810 South Broadway, Denver, CO 80210
Others
Spectra Art Space
Gallery
“This marijuana friendly gallery is also known for giving a venue to local artists, chefs and musicians.”
1836 S Broadway Denver, CO 80210
Urban Putt
Indoor golf course
“Urban Putt offers guests a fun, only-in-Denver experience with top-notch food and drinks, and a fantastical, high-tech 14-hole mini-golf course.”
1201 18th St, Denver, CO 80202
The luxurious Arrowhead Manor is one of Colorado’s best and most famous romantic getaways. On the outskirts of the city, you can really relax and enjoy the stunning views.
It is worth noting that there are hotels who declare themselves to be ‘cannabis-friendly’ but still have rules about where you can smoke. It is important to understand this when you are deciding on where to stay, and of course where to smoke – and some would expect discretion and respect for their other guests. There are also, however, some hotels which openly, almost ‘encourage’ consumption and who let you smoke in several different areas.
It should also be noted, that even if your room has a balcony, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can smoke your weed there.
Another option for visitors who are looking for pot-friendly accommodation is to rent a private apartment. The websites above can also provide details about non-hotel lodgings which are available for hire.
Whether you are visiting Denver specifically as a cannabis vacation, or just hoping to indulge in the recent law changes, the selection and quality of marijuana that you’ll find in Denver mean that it will be totally worth it. By knowing the laws and your rights, and consuming in the right way in the right place, you are guaranteed to have the time of your life and already planning your trip back.
***** The statements made in this article are not legal or medical advice or intended to be used as such. Always check local laws and regulation to make sure you are in complying*****
