Weed in Colorado Springs: A City with Restrictions in a Legal State
Colorado Springs, the second-largest city in Colorado, has a unique relationship with cannabis. While Colorado was one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012, Colorado Springs has chosen to ban recreational dispensaries within city limits. However, medical marijuana is legal and accessible, and many residents take short trips to nearby cities like Manitou Springs or Pueblo to buy recreational cannabis.
Is Weed Legal in Colorado Springs?
The answer depends on what type of weed you’re talking about:
- Recreational marijuana is legal in Colorado but not in Colorado Springs – The city does not allow recreational dispensaries. However, adults 21 and older can legally possess and use cannabis within their private property.
- Medical marijuana is legal and available – Colorado Springs has over 100 licensed medical dispensaries, making it easy for registered patients to access cannabis products.
- Possession limits – Adults can legally possess up to one ounce of weed, while medical patients can have up to two ounces.
- Home growing is allowed – Residents can grow up to six plants per person (with a max of 12 per household).
Even though recreational dispensaries are banned, many people in Colorado Springs still use cannabis by purchasing it elsewhere or getting a medical card for access to dispensaries in the city.
Where Can You Buy Weed Near Colorado Springs?
Since recreational dispensaries don’t exist in the city, people looking for legal weed often travel to:
- Manitou Springs (about 10 minutes away) – The closest option with two licensed recreational dispensaries: Maggie’s Farm and Emerald Fields.
- Pueblo (about 40 minutes away) – A larger selection of recreational dispensaries with lower prices.
- Denver (about an hour away) – One of the largest cannabis markets in the country, offering a huge variety of products and brands.
For those with a medical marijuana card, Colorado Springs offers many high-quality medical dispensaries, such as:
- Native Roots – A well-known dispensary with multiple locations across Colorado.
- Maggie’s Farm – A popular choice for organic, sun-grown cannabis.
- The Green House – Known for affordable prices and great selection.
Why Doesn’t Colorado Springs Allow Recreational Dispensaries?
Despite being in a state where recreational cannabis is legal, Colorado Springs has chosen to ban retail dispensaries due to concerns over:
- Public safety – Some local leaders fear that legal sales could increase crime or drug-related issues.
- Military presence – With multiple military bases in the area, officials worry about how legal weed could affect service members and federal employees.
- Conservative politics – Colorado Springs is known for being more conservative than cities like Denver or Boulder, leading to opposition from local officials.
However, many residents support legal dispensaries, and there have been efforts to overturn the ban, though they have not been successful yet.
The Future of Weed in Colorado Springs
As cannabis continues to grow in popularity and acceptance, there is a chance that Colorado Springs may eventually allow recreational dispensaries. Until then, residents will have to travel outside the city to purchase legal weed, while medical marijuana patients can continue to access dispensaries within city limits.
For now, Colorado Springs remains an outlier in a state known for its thriving cannabis industry.