Adams County Cannabis – Is It Legal & Where To Buy 2024

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in Adams County?

Yes. Colorado legalized medical cannabis in 2000 and recreational use in 2012. Colorado's Amendment 64 allows marijuana cultivation statewide, but Adams County regulates marijuana cultivation for residents. Amendment 64 states that counties or local governments may allow or ban marijuana-related operations.

Adams County, specifically its county seat Brighton City, allows home cultivation of marijuana for personal use, provided that all cultivation must be done in a private residence. If you don't own the home, you should have written consent from the property owner or manager to grow marijuana. The homeowners association must also give their permission. It is also important to note that cultivation in outdoor areas is prohibited. Regularly used rooms such as kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms should not be used for growing and processing marijuana. The cultivation area must not create any smoke, traffic, light, or smell that would disturb your neighbors or be conspicuous to those passing by.

For personal cultivation, Brighton City Ordinance 2197 states that single-family detached homes are allowed to have up to 50 square feet of marijuana cultivation, while single-family attached homes or multi-family homes (apartments, condos, townhomes, duplexes, etc.) are allowed to have up to 35 square feet of cultivation. No cannabis plant can be within 2 feet of the house's ceiling.

For commercial cultivation, the Code of Colorado Regulations states that medical and retail cultivation facilities may cultivate, cure, propagate, harvest, store, package, prepare, and label medical and retail marijuana and concentrates. These cultivation facilities may also produce pre-rolled marijuana and infused pre-rolled marijuana from marijuana concentrates.

Moreover, Section 3-215 of the code says that medical and retail cannabis growing facilities can share a single licensed premise and operate in the same location provided that:

1. The Local Licensing Authority and Local Jurisdiction allow a dual operation at the same place

2. The medical cannabis cultivation facility and retail cannabis cultivation facility are jointly owned.

3. These facilities must maintain physical or virtual separation between medical cannabis and medical cannabis concentrates; and retail cannabis and retail cannabis concentrates

4. These facilities must enable the Local Licensing Authority and Local Jurisdiction to clearly distinguish business transactions of the medical cannabis cultivation facility and retail cannabis cultivation facility through recordkeeping, packaging, labeling, and inventory tracking.

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in Adams County?

Yes. Adams County established the Local Licensing Authority, which regulates the licenses of medical marijuana and retail marijuana businesses in accordance with its marijuana licensing regulations. Statewide, the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Agency regulates applications for marijuana business licenses. To set up a marijuana production business, applicants must complete a business application form, including required disclosures, and pay an application fee and local jurisdictional fees. The Marijuana Enforcement Division is not currently accepting walk-in applications.

Applications can be submitted with all attachments and fees via mail:

Marijuana Enforcement Division

1697 Cole Blvd., Suite 200, Lakewood, CO 80401

ATTN: Business Licensing

Marijuana companies in Colorado are required by law to sell all marijuana products in child-safe, resealable, and opaque packaging. Packages must protect children, teens, and adults from accidentally and unknowingly consuming marijuana. Using authorized store packaging is an essential first step to safe storage.

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in Adams County?

Yes. Adams County currently has six licensed retail stores. Under Colorado law, people over the age of 21 can purchase and possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis at a time from licensed retailers. It is a crime to transfer, sell or share cannabis with individuals under the age of 21. Amendment 64 states that the sale of cannabis edibles, ointments, and tinctures, is approved in Colorado.

Marijuana is not yet legal under federal law, so it cannot be used in federal territories such as national parks, ski slopes, and forests. State regulations allow retail marijuana stores to open from 8:00 am to midnight. In Adams County, medical marijuana stores may sell marijuana anytime between 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, and retail marijuana stores between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm.

Marijuana use in public is prohibited. This includes the following indoor and outdoor areas:

• Parks and amusement parks

• Sidewalks

• Restaurants, cafes, bars

• Ski resorts

• Business establishments

• Concert venues

• Common areas of condominiums and apartments

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in Adams County?

Colorado House Bill 19-1234 allows the delivery of cannabis in jurisdictions that voted to allow delivery. Medical marijuana delivery for facilities started on January 2, 2020, while retail marijuana delivery began on January 2, 2021. Cannabis deliveries are limited to one transaction per customer per day and are limited to residential consumers and patients with medical marijuana ID cards.

How to Get Medical Marijuana Card in Adams County

The Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry is a statewide program that allows patients with health problems to hold a card to access medical marijuana. These medical conditions include:

• Severe nausea

• Severe pain

• Cancer

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• HIV or AIDS

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Cachexia

• Glaucoma

• Persistent muscle spasms

• Seizures

• Any condition a registered health care practitioner deems for opioid use

To apply for a medical marijuana ID card in Colorado, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to verify your medical condition, complete your application online, and wait 1-3 business days for your application to be approved. Once your application is approved, access your card through your online account.

Medical marijuana cards are for all Colorado residents and are valid for State use only. Minors are also eligible for a medical marijuana card if:

• Minor and primary parent are residents of Colorado

• Minor has an eligible medical condition

All minor patients must visit two health care providers and present two health care provider certifications.

Applicants who apply by mail will be mailed a card, and will not have access to their online account. For questions, you may also contact:

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

4300 Cherry Creek Dr. S. Denver, CO

80246-1530

Phone: 303-692-2184

Email: medical.marijuana@state.co.us

How Has Cannabis Legalization Impacted the Economy of Adams County?

In 2021, the Department of Public Safety's Criminal Justice Division of Colorado stated that revenues from marijuana facility fees, taxes, and licenses increased from $67 million in 2014 to $387 million in 2020, an increase of more than 473%. Taxes spent on building schools and funding public schools increased by 264% in a span of five years, from $33 million in 2015 to a staggering $120 million in 2020.

According to the report, as of 2020, there are more than 2,700 licensed marijuana businesses in Colorado, 74 of which are registered in Adams County.

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in Adams County

The same report by the Department of Public Safety's Criminal Justice Division of Colorado revealed that the total marijuana arrests in the State between 2012 and 2019 decreased by 68%, from 13,225 to 4,290 arrests. In Adams County, the number of marijuana arrests decreased from 753 arrests in 2012 to only 40 arrests in 2019.