Timeline: Legalizing Marijuana

Jan 1, 1906

First regulation on cannabis intended for consumption

Imposed by federal government

Mar 1, 1917

Use and cultivation of cannabis becomes a misdemeanor

Made illegal by Colorado legislature

Jan 1, 1929

Sale, possession and distribution of marijuana in CO a felony

Passed by Colorado legislature

Nov 5, 1937

Marijuana Tax Act passed

Passed by federal government, making marijuana use and cultivation without a license a crime.

Jan 1, 1973

First re-legalization effort in Colorado history

Introduced by Colorado legislator Michael Strang. Never made it out of committee.

Jan 1, 1979

"Dangerous Drugs Therapeutic Research Act" signed into CO law

Signed by Then-Governor Dick Lamm. Would've allowed cancer and glaucoma patients to use prescription medical marijuana, pending federal gov't approval, which never happened.

Jan 1, 1998

Amendment 18 on Colorado ballot

Didn't pass. Would've allowed the use and cultivation of medical marijuana. Then-Secretary of State Vikki Buckley refused to count the votes, saying that the measure did not have the proper number of signatures to get on the ballot in the first place.

Nov 7, 2000

Amendment 20 passed in Colorado

Made this the only state to legalize medical marijuana in its constitution. Permitted medical marijuana use for people with chronic weight loss, muscle spasms, seizures, severe pain and severe nausea; caretakers were to "dispense" this medicine after doctors had prescribed it.

Jan 1, 2007

Sensible Colorado sues Colorado Health Department

Health Dep't tried to limit caregivers to 5 patients. Sensible Colorado won the suit, allowing dispensaries to provide MMJ to as many patients as they can handle.

Dec 1, 2009

Ogden Memorandum issued

Regulated and licensed Dispensaries, MMJ Cultivation Facilities, and Infused Products.

Jan 1, 2012

Dispensaries within 100 ft. of a school ordered to shut down

Ordered by U.S. Attorney for Colorado, John Walsh

Nov 6, 2012

Amendment 64 passed in Colorado

Colorado became first state in the world to vote in favor of ending marijuana prohibition. Legally allows adults over age of 21 to use, possess, and cultivate limited amounts of marijuana under state law.