Colorado has made many progressive legislative moves to place it at the forefront of marijuana legalization. However, while many pro-marijuana advocates throughout the country have hailed the state for legalizing the recreational use of the controversial substance, there are still some members of the pro-marijuana community who are being found increasingly on the wrong side of law. Throughout Colorado, some cities are reacting to the statewide legalization of marijuana by passing laws that restrict those who prefer to grow their own instead of buying from a licensed dispensary.
Recently, Colorado Springs introduced laws making it a criminal offense to grow more than 12 cannabis plants in a home. For most cities considering similar measures, this is a matter of attempting to control the possibilities of citizens growing exorbitant amounts of marijuana legally within the state for the purpose of shipping it to other states for a handy profit. While such measures can be seen as reasonable from this perspective, they can place undue burden on those who wish to grow cannabis for medical purposes.
While medical use of marijuana and its derivatives may be legal, it is certainly not always a cost-effective treatment for those who have great need. What might cost thousands of dollars to buy can be grown for pennies on the dollar for those who are willing to put in the work. Growing for medical purposes can bring much needed relief within financial reach for some individuals. But the treatment they need, by cost-effectively growing for themselves, could be outlawed in some Colorado cities.
Those who find themselves in complex legal conflicts such as this are faced with some tough choices when it comes to treating themselves or the ones they love while still operating within the law. The guidance of an experienced attorney can help anyone facing these restrictions to carefully navigate the shifting landscape of recreational and medical marijuana growth and use.
Source: vice.com, “Marijuana Legalization Is Leaving Home Growers Without a Pot to Grow In,” Joel Warner, Aug. 11, 2016