Cannabis Dispensaries in Fort Collins, Colorado

On the outskirts of Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado blends the receptive cannabis culture of the city with the laid-back attitudes of outdoor adventure seekers. As the suburb increases its number of dispensaries, cannabis enthusiasts flocking to Fort Collins neighborhoods need to learn about the city’s cannabis laws regulations.

Cannabis Laws to Know in Fort Collins

Fort Collins legalized cannabis when Coloradans passed Amendment 64 in 2012, providing for the recreational use of the drug by adults aged 21 years and over. Still, if you are planning a visit to Fort Collins, you should know the laws and local customs surrounding cannabis purchasing, possession, and use. There are roughly a dozen cannabis dispensaries in Fort Collins, which is plenty to satisfy the demand of visitors and residents alike.

Recreational and Adult-Use Cannabis

Fort Collins legalized recreational cannabis with the rest of the state in 2012, and most of its adult-use regulations are identical to those in other420-friendly cities around Colorado. The only legal way to acquire cannabis is from a licensed Fort Collins dispensary.

Possession Limits, Cultivation Rules, and Other Cannabis Laws in Fort Collins

In Fort Collins, adults 21 and over can possess up to 1 ounce of flower at any time, and adults above the legal limit can give away up to 1 ounce of flower to other adults, as long as no money changes hands. 

Additionally, you can purchase and possess up to 8 grams of concentrates, which equates to 800 milligrams of THC within edibles. Recreational dispensaries in Fort Collins, Colorado, will not sell you more than these quantities at one time, and having a larger amount in your possession will subject you to fines upwards of $100.

If you live in Fort Collins and are interested in growing your own cannabis crop, you’re in luck: adults 21 and older can grow up to six plants per person, as long as there are no more than 12 plants growing per household. Importantly, cultivation is prohibited in multi-family housing, like apartments, townhomes, duplexes, and condos. Cannabis cultivation must take place in an enclosed and locked space within the home, so sheds and greenhouses are no-grow spaces, too.

Where Is It Legal to Consume Cannabis in Fort Collins?

Currently, cannabis consumption is only permitted in private spaces out of public view. This means it is illegal to partake in any way in public spaces like parks and restaurants as well as inside or outside a Fort Collins dispensary. Currently, there are no 420-friendly lounges or social clubs in Fort Collins, but you can find some cannabis coffeehouses in nearby Denver.

As is true everywhere in the U.S., driving while under the influence of cannabis is strictly against the law. Though Fort Collins does allow you to store cannabis in closed containers inside a vehicle, you cannot consume while that vehicle is moving — even if you are not driving.

Medical Marijuana

Colorado first legalized marijuana for medical use in 2000, when voters passed Amendment 20. Medical users are permitted to purchase up to 2 ounces of flower, but doctors can recommend certain patients have access to greater quantities due to medical necessity.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Fort Collins

Obtaining a medical marijuana card in Fort Collins requires applying to Colorado’s Department of Public Health. The application requires a diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition by a Colorado-licensed health care provider with an MD or DO degree. 

You will need to submit a copy of a valid ID and pay a $25 application fee regardless of whether you apply online or mail in your application. The state will notify you via email when your application has been approved, and you can begin making medical marijuana purchases as soon as you receive approval.

How to Buy Cannabis at a Fort Collins dispensary

If you want to purchase cannabis from a dispensary, Fort Collins makes the process simple. You can visit any of the 10 operational recreational dispensaries, many of which also offer medical marijuana services. You can also order cannabis products online or over the phone for curbside pickup and home delivery. There are no required hours of operation for dispensaries in Colorado, but most in Fort Collins close before 8 PM.

How Much Does Cannabis Cost in Fort Collins?

The cost of 1 gram of dry flower from a Fort Collins dispensary will vary from about $10 to $25, depending on the quality and rarity of the strain. Concentrates, edibles, and other non-flower products will vary more greatly in cost.

Cannabis Taxes in Fort Collins

Cannabis taxes in Colorado have not changed much since 2013, when voters allowed the state to levy up to 15% in excise taxes on retail cannabis products. This is in addition to a 15% sales tax on retail cannabis goods. Medical marijuana, on the other hand, is subject only to a 2.9% sales tax.

Retail cannabis tax revenues are earmarked for specific types of spending. Fort Collins benefits from 10% of its collection of cannabis sales taxes; the other revenues allow Colorado to fund programs and projects like health care, education, substance abuse prevention, and law enforcement.