F.A.Q.

Boulder Medical Marijuana Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the medical marijuana situation like in Boulder?

There are currently many medical marijuana centers in and around Boulder. Centers make medicine available to Colorado residents that qualify under the law of Colorado.

Q. I've heard most of the people getting "medical marijuana" are just young people looking to get high.

A. No, actually the average age of a medical marijuana patient is 40, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Q. How do people obtain medical marijuana cards from the State of Colorado?

A. There are many clinics that work with doctors specializing in medical marijuana. They assist patients with the necessary paperwork the State requires.

The State sends a card to the patient when they are accepted onto the registry.

Centers make medicine available to patients 35 days after they send in their correct paperwork by certified mail to the State if the the State has not approved or denied their card within the 35 day window.

It is critical that patients keep their paperwork and/or card with them whenever they have medical marijuana with them. If they do not, they are subject to citation, and possible arrest. Their medicine can also be confiscated.

Q. How did the Medical Marijuana situation evolve in Colorado?

A. In 2000, Colorado voters passed Amendment 20 that made legal the use of medical marijuana for people with certain medical conditions. Around 2008, many dispensaries started opening up.

There was no regulatory scheme in place until the legislature passed HB 1284 and SB 109. These bills required doctors and dispensaries (now called centers under the law) to comply with the regulatory framework the State enacted.

The regulation created a licensing and oversight system. The exact rules are evolving. For example, it was only recently that the State instituted the 35 day waiting period before patients can purchase medicine.

Q. Can anyone just walk in and buy marijuana at a dispensary?

A. No, definitely not. The centers only sell medicine to qualifying patients.