For decades, marijuana was illegal in Colorado, just as it was in the rest of the United States. Many people were arrested for selling it or using it recreationally. Others were arrested for growing, distributing or trafficking this illegal drug.
However, some of that has now changed. Colorado allows people to own a small amount of marijuana that they can use recreationally. Does this mean that you can now sell it, as well? Say you grow it yourself or buy more than you need. Can you then turn around and sell it to friends or coworkers?
You cannot. The law puts two main stipulations on selling marijuana at this time. They are as follows:
- The only people who are allowed to sell marijuana or related products are licensed retailers.
- If you are an adult and you are over 21, you are allowed to give away a small amount of marijuana — up to a single ounce. The person you give it to also needs to be 21 or older. Even so, you are not allowed to sell it. This applies both to products that you purchased and homegrown products.
The law is set up so that you can share with your friends at a social gathering if you want, and you don’t have to worry — much as you can give a friend a beer if you’re both 21. But you cannot sell the product and attempt to begin distributing it without the right license.
Naturally, people sometimes make mistakes with new laws like this. If that leads to legal charges, they must know what options they have. An experienced defense attorney can help you better understand what steps to take next.