Colorado Lawmakers Want to Restrict Cannabis Cultivation
On Monday, a Colorado House committee voted 11-2 in favor of a bill that would limit cannabis grow operations to a maximum of 12 plants for each residential property. Currently, Colorado law allows medical cannabis patients to grow up to 99 plants—the most liberal cannabis cultivation limit of any U.S. state.
Only Colorado allows more than 16 plants to be grown within a single residence. There are legitimate reasons for an individual patient to grow more than 12 plants. For instance, a patient that wishes to process a large amount of raw cannabis into a concentrate. Under current Colorado law, recreational growers can only grow up to six plants, but they can easily transfer their plants into a massive cannabis co-op. Co-op grows in Colorado aren’t tracked or taxed, but the new bill would also put an end to the regulatory loophole that co-op grows enjoy. Under the proposal, co-op grow operations could still exist, but only in properties zoned for non-residency.
Colorado residents have been complaining about odors emanating from the proliferation of grow operations popping up everywhere in Colorado, where cannabis is tolerated. A number of jurisdictions in Denver have already moved forward with limiting home grow operations to the 12-plant limit. Exceeding the 12-plant limit would carry a felony punishment. The bill’s supporters say the purpose of the bill is to increase tax revenue and to create a fair playground.
Several “clean-up” bills were also passed by the Colorado Senate on Monday. Vicki Marble (R-Fort Collins) sponsored Senate Bill 178 which would prohibits courts from blocking medical cannabis patients from cannabis access while on bond. House Bill 1034, sponsored by Sen. Randy Baumgardner (R-Hot Sulphur Springs), would consolidate and update medical cannabis licenses with the retail cannabis code. Senate Bill 187, sponsored by Sen. Larry Crowder (R-Alamosa), would allow non-residents to apply for occupational cannabis licenses. SB-178 and SB-187 will move onto the House for consideration and SB-1034 moves onto the governor’s desk for the final approval.
