When and Where You Can Legally Use Medical Marijuana

The most appropriate choice for using medical marijuana is in the privacy of your own home, preferably without anyone else present.

If you hold a state medical marijuana registry card, you may use medical marijuana and possess the paraphernalia required for medical use. However, you may not use medical marijuana if:
• Your medical marijuana use endangers the health or well-being of another person
• You are in plain view of the general public
• You are in a place open to the general public
• You are driving a motor vehicle

Can patients with a state medical marijuana permit travel out-of-state with cannabis?

Only the state of Montana has a clause that says medical marijuana permits issued by another state are legally recognized in Montana. If you are found to be in possession of  marijuana in states other than Colorado and Montane, you are subject to the prevailing laws in that state.

The Medical Marijuana Registry — Common Mistakes

The Medical Marijuana Registry is returning a large number of application packets and change requests due to easily preventable mistakes. Below is a check-list that may help prevent some of the most common reasons for returning requests. Please take the time to review your materials to avoid having your request returned and delaying the issuance of your card.

1. Include a legible photocopy of your Colorado driver’s license or ID.

2. Include a legible photocopy of your caregiver’s Colorado driver’s license or ID (if you are naming a care-giver).

3. Use BLUE ink when completing the Change of Address or caregiver form.

4. The Change of Address or caregiver Form must be sent within ten days of the event.

5. Signatures of patients must be notarized.

6. The caregiver can not be the notary.

7. Use the current version of application and other forms.

8. Be sure to sign your check or money order.

9. Be sure your check or money order is for the proper amount ($90).

10. The check or money order may only be for one patient.

11. Forms must be submitted by the patient, not the caregiver or dispensary.

12. The application packet must include:
The application form
Physician’s Certification
Copy of patient’s and caregiver’s ID’s
Payment of $90 fee.

13. All items in the application packet (see #12 above) must be sent to the Registry at the same time and in one envelope. The Registry can not match items sent separately.

14. Incomplete application packets will be rejected. Rejected packets will be returned to the patient.

The Medical Marijuana Registry — How do I become a caregiver?

The only way to become a caregiver is to have a patient list you as such. Registered medical marijuana patients may select one adult (age eighteen years or older) resident of Colorado to be their primary caregiver. The selection is documented either on the patient’s original application form or on a change of caregiver form.

Effective August 30, 2009, the Registry will no longer be sending revised registration cards solely on the basis of a change of caregiver.

A patient may change caregivers at any time for any reason.

A patient is not required to have a caregiver. It is an option for the patient.

It is up to the patient to notify a person that the patient has removed them as a caregiver. The Registry does not send any notice to the caregiver.

There is no separate registration process for caregivers.

There is no separate application form for the caregiver.

The Registry does not maintain a listing of individuals interested in becoming a caregiver.

A patient may not be their own caregiver.

The patient’s physician may not be their caregiver.

The caregiver must be a person, not a business, corporation, etc.

There is no specific training or other requirement the caregiver must meet other than being selected by a patient.

EXCEPTION: For patients who are less than 18 years of age, the primary caregiver must be a parent residing in Colorado.

If a patient lists you as their caregiver, the Registry recommends that you retain:

1. A copy of the registration card listing you as the caregiver; OR

2. A copy of the application form or change of caregiver form that lists you as the caregiver, AND

3. A copy of proof of mailing the forms to the Registry

The Medical Marijuana Registry — Where is my card?

The Medical Marijuana Registry is experiencing a major growth in volume of applications and related requests. As a result of this growth in volume and the constraints of limited resources, we have had to prioritize our efforts in order to maintain basic services within statutorily mandated actions.

Estimated Time frames
All time frames are measured from the date of receipt in the registry.
Rejections: Within three to four weeks
New/renewal cards: Within nine to eleven weeks
Changes/Replacements: Within twelve to fourteen weeks

These time frames are estimates and subject to change based on volume.

What do I do until my card arrives?
Colorado Constitution, Article XVIII, Section 14, paragraph 3 (d) states:
Except for patients applying pursuant to subsection (6) of this section, where the state health agency, within thirty-five days of receipt of an application, fails to issue a registry identification card or fails to issue verbal or written notice of denial of such application, the patient’s application for such card will be deemed to have been approved. Receipt shall be deemed to have occurred upon delivery to the state health agency, or deposit in the United States mails. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no application shall be deemed received prior to June 1, 1999. A patient who is questioned by any state or local law enforcement official about his or her medical use of marijuana shall provide a copy of the application submitted to the state health agency, including the written documentation and proof of the date of mailing or other transmission of the written documentation for delivery to the state health agency, which shall be accorded the same legal effect as a registry card, until such time as the patient receives notice that the application has been denied.