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Tips From a Denver Dispensary: How to Traveling Legally With Weed


December 13, 2017

The holiday season is officially here, which means it’s very likely that you will be traveling by plane or car to see friends and family members. But before you start packing for your trip, it’s important to learn the laws regarding traveling with weed. Here are some things you should know from our experts at our Denver dispensary:

Traveling By Plane

Many people assume that members of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are looking for marijuana or other drugs when they search passengers’ bags, but that’s not the case. The TSA is responsible for finding anything that is a safety hazard. If they do happen to find marijuana, they will alert local law enforcement instead of handling the situation themselves. You may think that this means you won’t be in trouble as long as you are in a state that has legalized marijuana, but that’s not necessarily true.

The laws vary by state, but most states that have legalized marijuana do not allow users to carry the marijuana across state lines, meaning marijuana cannot be brought on planes. In addition, marijuana possession is prohibited within certain airports, including Denver International Airport. For these reasons, travelers must leave their marijuana at home if they are traveling by plane.

Traveling By Car

Fortunately, it is completely legal to travel through the state of Colorado with marijuana in your vehicle. You cannot drive out of state with marijuana in your vehicle, even if the state that you are trying to reach has legalized marijuana.

To comply with Colorado’s laws, the marijuana must be kept in a closed container at all times while it is in your vehicle. Also, keep in mind that it is illegal to consume marijuana while in a vehicle, even if you are not the one driving. If you are caught driving while under the influence of marijuana, you could face serious criminal charges and consequences. See more information for residents and visitors.

If you plan on traveling by limousine, you may be able to smoke marijuana during the trip as long as the limo operator allows it. But, the only passengers that are allowed to smoke marijuana are those that are riding in the back. No one who is driving the limo or sitting in the front seat is allowed to smoke.

Staying in Hotels

Will you be staying at a hotel or vacation rental in Colorado over the holidays? If you plan on smoking marijuana, make sure you call ahead to ask the hotel or owner of the vacation rental about their marijuana policies. Some hotels and vacation rental owners do allow their guests to smoke weed. However, it’s important to note that the city of Denver does not allow guests to smoke weed from hotel balconies if the balcony is visible from a public place nearby.

For more helpful tips on safely and legally consuming cannabis, we encourage you to stop by Altitude Dispensary, one of the best weed shops in Denver. Our knowledgeable budtenders can help you find the right medical or recreational product to suit your needs. Contact Altitude Dispensary for more information today!