This Colorado county gets harsh with growing marijuana
Douglas County commissioners passed one of Colorados toughest marijuana grow ordinances Tuesday, restricting the number of plants at any primary residence to 12, banning outdoor grows and prohibiting tenants in rental properties from cultivating the drug without permission from the property owner.
The new restrictions apply to unincorporated portions of the county and come in response to what law enforcement officials say is a proliferation of small-scale grow operations popping up in private homes across Douglas County.
Related: Colorado county setting new rules for home weed growers
Weve been struggling with this for a couple of years, said Chief Deputy Steve Johnson of the Douglas County Sheriffs Office. Its really gotten out of control.
Johnson said some grow operations overload electrical capacity, increasing the risk of a fire. The countys ordinance also prohibits the use of compressed flammable gas, such asbutane, in growing pot.
Douglas Countys new regulations could invite litigation from those who claim they run afoul of the states medical marijuana statutes, acknowledged deputy county attorney Kelly Dunnaway. The state permits caregivers to grow six plants per patient but Douglas County places its limit of 12 plants per household on any person,including but not limited to patients, primary caregivers, or persons forpersonal use.
But Dunnaway said the county is in the right legally because it has power to regulate marijuana cultivation ...
