Marijuana laws have changed over the years, which has somewhat complicated things. A few decades ago, marijuana was illegal on a federal level and on a state level, all across the country. Before medical marijuana programs, there was no way to get legal marijuana, and there certainly were not any recreational options.
But things have changed. In states like Colorado, marijuana is legal both for medical and recreational purposes. The same is not true in Texas, but for someone living in northern Texas, the drive to Colorado is not that far. People sometimes wonder if they can drive to a dispensary in another state, where they are legally allowed to purchase marijuana products, and then come back home to Texas.
Why this is still illegal
The short answer is that you cannot and should not do this, as it is still illegal. First and foremost, possession of marijuana products is illegal under Texas law. You may have bought them in Colorado or any other state, but the point of purchase is not the issue. If you use or possess those products in Texas, you can still face charges.
The second thing to keep in mind is that, while state laws have changed, federal regulations maintain that marijuana products are still illegal. Anyone who crosses state lines is under federal jurisdiction. A person who drives from Colorado back to Texas has to cross state lines, opening themselves up to potential federal drug charges.
Shifting drug laws in the U.S. have complicated things, and it is very important for those who are facing drug charges to understand exactly what legal defense options they have.
