Cannabis Grow Operation in Boulder Fined $14,000 for Odor

One grow operation in Boulder, called Dandelion Grow, has received a fine of up to $14,000 because of the overwhelming cannabis smell that lingers in the area.

The fine, which was a base fee of $10,000, is a penalty from the city, which claims that it tried to negotiate new compliance rules, but ultimately decided that a fine was the only option, according to the Daily Camera. Dandelion was also fined earlier this month for its first odor-related problem, leading to the total fine to be around $14,000.

“We went through a two-month process with this business, attempting to mentor them and address the concerns the community had,” said Boulder City Spokesman, Sarah Huntley. “They have elected not to make the necessary changes to come into compliance.”

Boulder’s regulations regarding cannabis odor states that no smells should be detectable by anyone who stands outside of a cannabis businesses. In Dandelion’s case, there were too many complaints about smells. Daily Camera noted that the facility’s air control system is old and weak, and as a result, a strong cannabis smell can often travel over a block away towards nearby homes.

The city’s law on containing cannabis odor is much stricter than that of Boulder County, but the city council still believes its approach to limiting cannabis smells works. “I think a big percentage of the marijuana businesses are very, very committed to being good citizens,” said City Councilwoman Jan Burton. “They want to have rules in place, and they want to be viewed as good corporate citizens. I think outliers who are not in that same frame of mind are not OK.”