Cannabis Cultivator in CO Arrested for Non-Compliance

An anonymous complaint from a member of the community led to the arrest of 54-year-old Jose Fernandez in Pueblo county CO for cannabis cultivation. Colorado law allows for residents to grow up to 12 cannabis plants for personal use. Upon entry of Fernandez's home, police found a crop of 24 plants.

Fernandez claimed to have a special license to grow 50 plants but was arrested at the scene. He is now facing a fine of up to $100,000 and up to two years in jail.

In 2016, Fernandez was questioned by police for having 33 plants growing in the home which was within the legal limit at the time. In 2018, the law was changed limiting the number of cannabis plants to 12 per household.