Colorado’s pot shortage

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Colorado’s pot shortage

Because of the black market’s lower prices, regulators want to increase amount produced
Eric Benevento examines marijuana buds in the curing room at Medicine Man, a marijuana dispensary and retailer in Denver. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.
Pot plants line racks at Medicine Man, a marijuana dispensary and retailer, in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.
Ryan Williams conducts inventory on marijuana plants at Medicine Man, a marijuana dispensary and retailer, in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.
Trim room manager Lara Herzog cuts down marijuana plants at Medicine Man, a marijuana dispensary and retailer, in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.
Customers buy marijuana at Medicine Man, a marijuana dispensary and retailer, in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.
Supply and sources of marijuana in Colorado. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.
Eric Benevento examines marijuana buds in the curing room at Medicine Man, a marijuana dispensary and retailer, in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.
Policymakers are considering changes to combat the sale of pot on the black market.
A pot plant at Medicine Man, a marijuana dispensary and retailer, in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.

Colorado’s pot shortage

Eric Benevento examines marijuana buds in the curing room at Medicine Man, a marijuana dispensary and retailer in Denver. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.
Pot plants line racks at Medicine Man, a marijuana dispensary and retailer, in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.
Ryan Williams conducts inventory on marijuana plants at Medicine Man, a marijuana dispensary and retailer, in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.
Trim room manager Lara Herzog cuts down marijuana plants at Medicine Man, a marijuana dispensary and retailer, in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.
Customers buy marijuana at Medicine Man, a marijuana dispensary and retailer, in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.
Supply and sources of marijuana in Colorado. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.
Eric Benevento examines marijuana buds in the curing room at Medicine Man, a marijuana dispensary and retailer, in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.
Policymakers are considering changes to combat the sale of pot on the black market.
A pot plant at Medicine Man, a marijuana dispensary and retailer, in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014. Policymakers in Colorado are considering changes to the state’s production limits on legal marijuana to combat the sale of pot in unregulated markets.
Black market pot in Cortez

The black market price for marijuana sold in Cortez is about $50 for a quarter ounce. One retail shop in Telluride, the nearest town to legalize retail sales, offers the same quantity for $55.
The city of Cortez has a pending 17-page draft ordinance to regulate retail marijuana.
If approved, Ordinance No. 1192, Series 2014, would allow city officials to issue three types of retail licenses – to sale, cultivate and/or test marijuana. Final passage is subject to a public hearing on Aug. 26.
The law would prohibit retail marijuana dispensaries from manufacturing marijuana-infused products, such as brownies or lotions. Retail dispensaries could sale marijuana infused products manufactured by outside wholesalers under the proposed law.
A Cortez moratorium on recreational marijuana remains in effect through Dec. 31, 2014.
Within the city limits, four medical marijuana dispensaries are licensed. Two remain temporarily closed.
Across the state, 90 towns have prohibited commercial marijuana businesses. Forty have adopted ordinances to regulate the industry, and 21 have moratoriums.
Under Colorado law, residents over the age of 21 can possess, use, display, gift or transport up to one ounce of marijuana as well as cultivate up to six marijuana plants.