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What if Koreans go to Colorado to smoke marijuana?

January 3, 2014
Customers stand in line shortly after the opening of 3D Cannabis Center, which opened as a legal recreational retail outlet in Denver at 8am on Wednesday Jan. 1, 2014. Colorado began retail marijuana sales on Jan. 1, a day some are calling "Green Wednesday." (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

Customers stand in line shortly after the opening of 3D Cannabis Center, which opened as a legal recreational retail outlet in Denver at 8 am on Wednesday Jan. 1, 2014. Colorado began retail marijuana sales on Jan. 1, a day some are calling “Green Wednesday.” (AP Photo / Brennan Linsley)

By Lee Kyutae

Apparently, what happens in Colorado, does NOT stay in Colorado. At least not for Koreans anyway.

‘Recreational’ marijuana may be legalized in Colorado (as of the New Year) and the lines at the stores may be a mile long in Denver, but that does not mean it’s legal for Koreans also. Not if you want to go back or visit Korea anytime soon.

According to Korean legal authorities, it’s still illegal to consume, possess, or buy and sell marijuana, and even if it happens in another country, it is still a punishable offense under the ‘personal (nationality) principle’ upon return to Korea.

There have actually been cases of Korean celebrities getting convicted and sentenced in the past, after getting busted for having smoked marijuana while they were in the United States.

According to one Korean embassy official in Washington, D.C., “Traces of marijuana will show in urine samples even after one to two weeks of use and up to six months in hair samples.”

However, in the U.S., if the legalization of marijuana goes well in Colorado, the tourism, tax and other considerations are likely to compel several other states to quickly follow suit. The initial reports coming out of Colorado say overwhelming demand is already causing shortages and a price hike.

 

 

 

2 Comments

  1. Kim

    November 27, 2014 at 7:49 AM

    email jessicamoore991@gmail.com if you want to meet face to face

    and smoke in a safe place with a beautiful view of the city, i have medical marijuana as well as

    other strains

    Reply

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    November 30, 2017 at 5:40 AM

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