New marijuana regulations limit plant count for caregivers
New regulations took effect in Pueblo County on Jan. 1, 2016, limiting how many marijuana plants can be grown by caregivers.
Pueblo County Commissioner Sal Pace said the new plant count will help crack down on illegal grows.
“We have folks who show up to our commissioner meetings and complain about grows that are not licensed grows that we’ve approved,” Pace said.
Under the new rules, non-licensed growers, including home growers and medical marijuana caregivers, will be limited to 18 marijuana plants in single-family homes, 12 plants in apartments and duplexes and 36 plants on agricultural or industrial properties.
“I think there’s proper places for large-scale cultivations, and there are improper places,” Pace said. “People should not have large-scale cultivations in their basements and in their garages and residential communities.”
Caregiver Santana Odell moved to Pueblo last year to work in the marijuana industry. Since then, she’s been growing marijuana for five patients, but she recently had to drop two of them to comply with the new regulations.
“It’s a big deal. I mean, it’s hurtful, because you grow close to these people. They’re like your family because you’re giving them the medicine that they can’t get anywhere else,” said Odell, who was previously growing 99 plants.
Pace said, “I believe that they’re able to provide the medicine with the plant counts that we’ve allowed.”
Pace said the more than 3,000 caregivers in Colorado have been unregulated for years. He believes the new rules will provide much-needed regulation to that part of the industry.
“I think this is going to significantly crack down on the potential of black market grows in Pueblo,” he said.
As for Odell, she said the new rules won’t deter her or other caregivers.
“We’re going to have to get more caregivers in the industry now,” Odell said.
Pace said enforcing the new rules will be done on a complaint-driven basis. Those who suspect illegal grows in their area can call the Pueblo County Planning and Development Department at 719-583-6100.
