Medical vs. Recreational Marijuana in Colorado: What’s the Difference?

Whether you’re Colorado born and bred or a first-time visitor, you don’t need a medical reason to buy cannabis. It’s an advantage that residents have enjoyed since 2012, when Colorado became one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana. 

Although there are many benefits to having access to both types of use, it can also cause some confusion. It raises questions like: 

• Why should you apply for a medical marijuana card if anyone can buy recreationally? 
• Are there legal differences for each type of use? 
• How is the process of buying cannabis different as a patient versus an adult-use consumer? 

We’re here to break down the differences so you can safely and confidently buy marijuana in Colorado, whichever way you choose.

The main difference: why you use cannabis

It seems obvious, but the biggest difference between medical and recreational cannabis is the reason for use. Typically, adult-use purchases are for enjoyment, while medical cannabis is intended to relieve symptoms of a particular health condition. 

Of course, some individuals who use cannabis for medical reasons may choose to buy recreationally, without obtaining a medical card. But for those who qualify, there are benefits to choosing the latter.

How to buy cannabis medically vs. recreationally

The process of purchasing marijuana products is a bit different for patients and recreational users. First, you’ll need to research the type of dispensary you’re visiting. Some are medical or recreational only. Others offer both, in which case there will be separate entrances for each type of use. 

For adult-use products, the only requirement is that you must be 21 or older and present your ID at the dispensary. To buy medical cannabis, you must have a registry identification card obtained through the Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry, indicating that you’ve met the requirements to become a medical marijuana patient. These include:

• Living in Colorado
• Being diagnosed with one of several qualifying medical conditions
• Having a recommendation from a licensed physician, which states that you have a qualifying condition and could benefit from medical marijuana. Applicants under 21 will need two recommendations from separate physicians, unless they’re 18+ and were registered as minors.

Qualifying conditions for medical patients

To become a medical marijuana patient in Colorado, you need to have one of the state’s qualifying conditions:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma 
• HIV/AIDS
• PTSD
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Any condition for which a physician could prescribe an opioid for pain
• Chronic or debilitating diseases or medical conditions such as cachexia, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, and persistent muscle spasms

Medical vs. adult-use marijuana laws in Colorado

Like any other state, Colorado has strict regulations relating to the purchase, possession, and consumption of marijuana. 

While many of these laws overlap, some are different for recreational and medical users. Be aware that towns may also have their own marijuana regulations separate from state law, but they can’t interfere with a resident’s right to possess or consume cannabis.

Driving laws

BOTH:

• It’s illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana (DUI is defined as having five nanograms or more of THC per milliliter of blood)
• It’s illegal to have an open container of marijuana in your vehicle. Exceptions: back-seat passengers in vehicles used for transportation for compensation, like a taxi or rideshare; passengers in the living quarters of a mobile home or other vehicle used for residence; containers located in the trunk or behind the last upright seat or another area that is not occupied (if the vehicle doesn’t have a trunk)

Locations of consumption

BOTH:

• Marijuana can only be consumed on private property in a manner that isn’t open or public. Property owners may prohibit the use of mairjuana at their homes or businesses.
• Marijuana use is prohibited on federal land, including national parks

MEDICAL:

• At schools, non-smokable medical marijuana may be administered to students who are registered patients when needed. Schools must treat medical cannabis as any other prescription medication and adopt their own policies relating to its storage and administration.

RECREATIONAL:

• Cannabis use is prohibited on school property

Possession

MEDICAL:

• Can possess up to two ounces of cannabis
• Can possess a total of six marijuana plants, three or less of which may be mature, flowering plants. However, patients may claim that a higher amount is medically necessary.

RECREATIONAL:

• Can possess up to one ounce of cannabis
• Can possess a maximum of six marijuana plants, including up to three mature, flowering plants

Marijuana taxes

There’s one downside to buying marijuana in any state – the heavy taxes. 

In Colorado, there’s a 2.9% state sales tax on marijuana sold in stores, a 15% state retail marijuana sales tax, and a 15% retail marijuana excise tax on wholesale sales and transfers of marijuana. 

However, there’s one big exception. Medical marijuana is only subject to the 2.9% state sales tax, meaning that patients can save a significant amount of money on products compared to adult-use consumers.

A dispensary with the best of both worlds

Whichever type of use you choose, you can find the cannabis products you need at Local Product. 
Our medical and recreational dispensary in Denver is always stocked with a range of flower, edibles, concentrates, and more, and our knowledgeable team will answer any questions to help you find what you’re looking for. Browse our menu and/or order online before your visit!