Colorado Bill Would Alter State’s Rules for Pot Tourists

by Janeen Christoff
Last updated: 6:00 PM ET, Mon May 2, 2016

PHOTO: Colorado is thinking of changing its pot laws. (Photo courtesy Thinkstock)

A new bill introduced in the Colorado state legislature would change the amount of marijuana that tourists can purchase when visiting the state.

Currently, visitors can only purchase a quarter-ounce of weed in one day legally in the state. Colorado residents, on the other hand, can legally possess one once of marijuana. When purchasing the substance, sellers are required to check the drivers license or other identification that shows residency when selling quantities in excess of a quarter-ounce.

The bill that is moving through the legislature would repeal the tiered purchasing system. Originally, the tiered system was introduced to prevent "marijuana diversion" such as people transporting large amounts of pot out of the state. However, evidence suggests that these transports are not the problem and that underground pot growers are really the main source of marijuana diversion in the state. In fact, the Marijuana Enforcement Division, which oversees pot shops, has never even busted a retailer for selling more than a quarter-ounce to a tourist.

READ MORE: Say What? Weed Legalization in Mexico?

The bill is part of a routine renewal of the state's laws regarding legal marijuana use and has already cleared the Colorado House and has moved on to the state Senate.

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