2021 Colorado Code
Title 18 - Criminal Code
Article 18 - Uniform Controlled Substances Act of 2013
Part 4 - Offenses and Penalties
§ 18-18-404. Unlawful Use of a Controlled Substance

1. 1. Except as is otherwise provided for offenses concerning marijuana and marijuana concentrate in sections 18-18-406 and 18-18-406.5, any person who uses any controlled substance, except when it is dispensed by or under the direction of a person licensed or authorized by law to prescribe, administer, or dispense the controlled substance for bona fide medical needs, commits a level 2 drug misdemeanor.
   2. Repealed. (1.1) Repealed.

3. (Deleted by amendment, L. 2010, (HB 10-1352), ch. 259, p. 1163, § 2, effective August 11, 2010.)
4. Repealed.

History. Source: L. 92: Entire article R&RE, p. 354, § 1, effective July 1. L. 98: (4) added, p. 1435, § 4, effective July 1. L. 99: IP(1) amended, p. 799, § 17, effective July 1. L. 2000: (4) amended, p. 1359, § 41, effective July 1, 2001. L. 2002: (4) amended, p. 1583, § 12, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1) amended and (1.1) added, p. 2681, § 2, effective July 1; (3) amended, p. 2429, § 2, effective July 1. L. 2007: (1)(b) and (1.1) repealed, p. 1689, § 10, effective July 1. L. 2009: (4) repealed,(HB 09-1266), ch. 347, p. 1815, § 4, effective August 5. L. 2010: (1)(a), (2), and (3) amended,(HB 10-1352), ch. 259, p. 1163, § 2, effective August 11. L. 2012: (1)(a) amended,(SB 12-020), ch. 225, p. 988, § 5, effective May 29. L. 2013: (1)(a) amended,(SB 13-250), ch. 333, p. 1909, § 9, effective October 1.

This section is similar to former § 18-18-104 as it existed prior to 1992.

For the legislative intent contained in the 2003 act amending subsection (1) and enacting subsection (1.1), see section 1 of chapter 424, Session Laws of Colorado 2003. For the legislative declaration in the 2012 act amending subsection (1)(a), see section 1 of chapter 225, Session Laws of Colorado 2012.

Law reviews. For article, “Felony Sentencing in Colorado”, see 18 Colo. Law. 1689 (1989).

Equal protection is not violated when a defendant is charged for the same conduct under both this section and § 18-18-405(1)(a) because unlawful use and unlawful possession are distinct offenses that each require proof of at least one fact that the other does not. People v. District Ct. of 11th Jud. Dist., 964 P.2d 498 (Colo. 1998).

This section and § 18-18-405 do not contain identical elements for purposes of an equal protection analysis. The general assembly's choice to classify possession as a graver offense than use is reasonably related to the general purposes of the criminal legislation. Campbell v. People, 73 P.3d 11 (Colo. 2003).

As written, this section is clear and unambiguous in exempting § 18-18-406.5 from its provisions, including the treatment option. People v. Goodale, 78 P.3d 1103 (Colo. 2003).

By intentionally omitting marihuana from the treatment option available under this section, the general assembly explicitly chose to offer the treatment option only to those addicted to other substances. Such a classification has a rational basis based upon real in fact differences between the substances and is not completely arbitrary or irrational. People v. Goodale, 78 P.3d 1103 (Colo. 2003).

Under § 18-18-404 (3) , defendant's guilty plea is tantamount to a conviction in that it establishes guilt. People v. Roberts, 865 P.2d 938 (Colo. App. 1993).

Trial court exceeded its jurisdiction by applying sentencing alternative under subsection (3) applicable to unlawful “use” of controlled substance offenses to resentencing of probationer convicted of “possession” of a controlled substance under § 18-18-405 . People v. Hutchings, 881 P.2d 466 (Colo. App. 1994).

Court order to surrender a driver's license and pay certain victim's fees and a drug surcharge fee was not erroneous where the defendant pled guilty to the charge and where the statute authorizes the court to impose “reasonable conditions.” People v. Roberts, 865 P.2d 938 (Colo. App. 1993).

While an individual may unlawfully possess a controlled substance without voluntarily using it, it is simply not feasible for an individual to voluntarily use a controlled substance without also possessing it. People v. Villapando, 984 P.2d 51 (Colo. 1999).