Yes. There are dozens of marijuana dispensaries in Boulder. According to Chapter 16 of the Boulder Municipal Code, the city council issues licenses for qualified persons and entities to operate marijuana retail outlets.
Yes. Boulder is home to several medical marijuana dispensaries. Under Chapter 14 of the Boulder Municipal Code, entities that have obtained medical marijuana retail business licenses are allowed to operate in the city.
Yes. You can buy cannabis online in Boulder.
When visiting a Boulder dispensary, it is recommended that you are aware of cannabis laws and dispensary laws in the city and Colorado. These laws as it affects dispensary operations include:
You must be 21 or older to be allowed to enter a dispensary in Boulder. An acceptable ID will be required before you are permitted to enter. Valid IDs include a Colorado-issued driver’s license or a United States Passport
You can speak with the budtender on-site for a better understanding of the kind of products available at the store and what kind of effects or impacts are expected from the products
If you intend to purchase medical cannabis, you must provide a Colorado-issued medical cannabis registry ID card
There are purchase limits under Colorado law. These limits vary for recreational and medical cannabis purchases
You are likely to be required to pay using cash. Credit cards are not typically accepted. If you do not have cash, you can use an ATM on-site to withdraw cash
Boulder cannabis dispensaries are required to follow state- and city-imposed regulations, including:
Dispensaries must acquire the required state licenses and city permits before operating in Boulder
Dispensaries are not allowed to dispense more cannabis than the legal amount permitted under state law
Cannabis consumption is prohibited within a dispensary
The sale of recreational cannabis is illegal when made to persons under 21
Medical marijuana sales may not be made to persons without Colorado medical marijuana cards
Boulder's recreational cannabis laws are as outlined in Colorado’s Amendment 64. Per Amendment 64:
The possession and consumption of cannabis is legal for individuals 21 and older
Cannabis purchase is only permitted when made at licensed dispensaries
Adults can possess up to one ounce of cannabis, 8 grams of concentrated cannabis, and cultivate up to six cannabis plants at home
Consumption of cannabis in public places is illegal
Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal
It is prohibited to move cannabis across state lines
Adults of legal age may share up to one ounce of cannabis to other adults aged 21 or older, but no form of compensation, remuneration, or exchange of items of value is allowed in the transfer
Per Colorado’s Amendment 20, medical marijuana is a legal option for Boulder residents with chronic and severe conditions listed under the state's medical cannabis program. However, patients in the city must get medical marijuana cards by applying for inclusion in the Colorado medical marijuana registry before purchasing medical marijuana.
According to Amendment 20:
To be qualified to be enrolled in the medical marijuana registry and obtain a medical marijuana card, patients must have obtained certifications attesting they have one or more conditions approved under the medical cannabis program. These conditions include but are not limited to PTSD, cancer, cachexia, and HIV/AIDS
Boulder residents who have obtained medical marijuana cards under the statewide medical cannabis program can possess up to 57 grams of usable cannabis and cultivate up to six plants at home, with three plants in the flowering stage
Boulder minors with qualifying conditions can also access medical cannabis under the state medical cannabis program by designating adult Colorado residents as caregivers. The caregivers must register with the state and receive approval before legally representing or administering medical cannabis to their patients. Note that minors must get medical cannabis certifications from two healthcare providers to register in the Colorado medical cannabis program
Boulder residents may obtain medical marijuana cards by applying to the Colorado Public Health Department and Environment’s medical marijuana registry. You require a certification from a qualified physician attesting that you need medical marijuana to treat one of the conditions approved by the Colorado medical marijuana program. On the medical marijuana registry, you must submit the physician certification, proof of identity and residency in Colorado, and a $29.50 application fee. You may qualify for a waiver of the application fee if your income is less than 185% of the federal poverty level.
You may also complete your application by mail other than through the medical marijuana registry online system. To complete your application by mail, include a completed application form, proof of residency, proof of identity, and a $29.50 check or money order made out to the CDPHE in your submission to:
Application Processing
CDPHE HSV-8630
4300 Cherry Creek Dr. S.
Denver, CO 80246-1530
Persons who complete their applications online can have their cards issued in up to ten business days, while persons who complete their applications by mail may have to wait up to eight weeks to receive their cards.
If you own the apartment where you reside, you may consume cannabis there. Otherwise, you must obtain permission from your landlord or property manager before using cannabis in such a home. Cannabis may not be consumed in any form in public.
When visiting a licensed boulder dispensary, bring a valid government-issued ID showing you are 21 or older. Otherwise, bring a valid Colorado medical marijuana card if you plan to buy medical marijuana. Also, prepare to withdraw cash at an on-site ATM if you do not have cash when visiting. Boulder dispensaries usually accept cash and not credit cards.
A gram of cannabis in Boulder costs about $15.
Some popular cannabis strains in Boulder are:
Banana OG
Super Lemon Haze
Purple Punch
No. Per Section 5-10-2 of the Boulder Municipal Code, it is illegal to consume cannabis publicly. Per the municipal code, "in public" refers to in or upon public way or public right-of-way, whether in a vehicle or not, on any property or building owned, leased, used, or open to the public, or in or upon portions of private property upon which the public has express or implied licensed to enter or remain.
Boulder adults aged 21 or older can possess the following:
1 ounce of flower
8 grams of concentrates
800 milligrams of edibles
6 plants (3 flowering and 3 non-flowering plants)
Medical marijuana patients in the city are allowed to have 2 ounces of cannabis and grow up to 6 plants, with no more than three in the flowering state.
It is illegal to ship cannabis in Boulder. Pursuant to Section 5-10-7 of the Boulder Municipal Code, it is unlawful for any person to distribute or transport cannabis using any freight or package service, community rideshare, or commercial transportation network, including the United States Postal Service. Also, under federal law, which guides interstate travel, shipping cannabis across state lines is illegal.
Yes. You can order cannabis online in Boulder.
No. There are no dispensaries in Boulder approved to operate 24 hourly. Per Section 6-16-8 of the Boulder Municipal Code, dispensaries may only operate between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Yes. Tourists may use Boulder recreational dispensaries if they are 21 or older.
Yes. You need a valid government-issued ID showing you are 21 or older to use a Boulder adult-use cannabis retail outlet legally. To use a medical marijuana dispensary in the city, you need a Colorado medical marijuana card.
Some of the best dispensaries in Boulder include:
Green Dragon
The Republic
Green Dream
Boulder Wellness
Yes. Boulder dispensaries scan customers’ IDs to ensure buyers are of legal age to buy cannabis.
There are nine medical marijuana dispensaries and 29 recreational cannabis dispensaries in Boulder.
Boulder dispensaries do not take credit cards. They typically receive payment by cash.
You can visit multiple Boulder dispensaries in one day. However, purchases will be kept within Colorado-imposed limits.
No. Boulder dispensaries do not take health insurance.
Yes. Cannabis stores in Boulder track purchases using a tracking system advised by the state.
No. You cannot enter a Boulder recreational cannabis dispensary at 18. Only persons aged 21 are allowed to enter.
The Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) of the Colorado Department of Revenue (CDOR) regulated cannabis in Boulder. To contact the Division, visit the MED page on the CDOR's website.
To report illegal marijuana activities in Boulder, you may file a report to the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division or contact the Boulder police department. To reach the Boulder PD, call the department's non-emergency response line at (303) 441 3333.