Pueblo City Council approved home grows for recreational users last night in a 5-2 vote, but many cannabis supporters are still unhappy with some of the ordinance's restrictions.

The new rules allow growing marijuana in an enclosed, ventilated space no larger than 100 square feet (caregivers can apply to the city for larger grows). Growing pot outdoors or placing a greenhouse on one's property is illegal, though the city council did ask to revisit an ordinance that would allow people to have greenhouses on their property.

"The problem with forcing all marijuana cultivation inside is the increase of cost to the person growing it at home, specifically the energy costs," David Lemon said at the meeting. "This is the biggest birthday present anyone could ever think of to Black Hills (Energy), and they haven't been that good a child."

Growing marijuana anywhere other than one's primary residence is also illegal. Caregivers can cultivate for up to five medical patients, and any caregiver or patient wishing to grow marijuana in their home must register with the Pueblo Police Department first:

It shall be unlawful for any patient or primary caregiver to cultivate marijuana until he or she has first registered the location with the Pueblo Police Department and presented his or her state medical marijuana registration identification card to the Police.

In other legalized marijuana news, Alaska joined Colorado today as the third state in America to legalize recreational cannabis use, although its regulatory framework has yet to be tested. 

Possession of up to an ounce of pot outside of one's home is now legal for Alaskans over the age of 21 after the people voted in favor of Ballot Measure 2 this past November. Alaskans can also reap the rewards of up to six marijuana plants on their private property, but any selling or trading of their crop is illegal (giving it away is perfectly legal). Regulations for the licensing of pot dispensaries are due by the end of the year.

Smoking marijuana in public places is still illegal in Alaska, though, as the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner notes, the definition of "public space" is now under scrutiny.

At least that former KTVA Channel 11 reporter in Alaska knows she didn't quit on live TV in vain.

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