What’s The Legal Amount Of Medical Marijuana I Can Grow?

Medical marijuana is now legal in 33 states. Well, we say legal, but in fact marijuana is still defined as a Schedule 1 drug, making it an illegal substance under federal law. Luckily, though, each state has been given leeway in deciding how marijuana – both medical and recreational – can be grown and used. So you can rest assured that if you know the rules that apply in your particular state, and you obey them, there won’t be any feds knocking at your door. If you live in a state where MMJ is legal, then you might be wondering how to grow medical cannabis and asking yourself questions like, “How much marijuana can I legally grow?”

What is the legal amount of MMJ to grow?

Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer when it comes to the legal amount of marijuana to grow. Firstly, you are obviously not allowed to grow MMJ at all in a state where it’s illegal. In the states where marijuana is legal for medical purposes, the rules vary quite considerably. The following are some examples of rules from several different states: anyone over the age of 21 can grow up to 6 marijuana plants, where only 3 of the 6 can be mature and flowering at any one time; a house containing several adults over the age of 21 can only grow a maximum of 12 plants; medical marijuana is legal, but it can only be bought from a dispensary and not home-grown; a qualifying patient may grow his or her own medical marijuana, but only if you live more than 25 miles from the nearest dispensary.

So, to be clear, these are just some of the rules from only a handful of states. Therefore, it’s important that you determine exactly the legal amount of MMJ to grow in your own state so that you are not breaking the law. We’ve said that the feds are pretty laidback about the rules, but many marijuana arrests are made under state law. It’s a fairly general rule that you can’t grow more than 12 plants per household adult over the age of 21.

MMJRecs - how to grow medical cannabis

Image by Aphiwat chuangchoem on Pexels: If you’re wondering “How much marijuana can I legally grow?”, it’s always best to check your particular state’s rules and regulations.

How to grow medical cannabis

It’s a good idea to learn a few basics about how to grow medical cannabis before you begin. First of all, it’s important to choose the right strain. Hopefully the medical expert who recommended you for your MMJ card will have suggested the best strain for your particular condition, but if not, do seek out advice on this before you purchase your seeds. Outdoor planting and cultivation is easier, cheaper, and better for the seeds, as they will respond quickly to the sun during the day and the dark at night. Some states, however, don’t allow you to grow your MMJ outdoors, so again check the situation in your own state.

If you have to grow the plants indoors, you will need to invest in a light of some sort. It’s true that medical marijuana can grow in total darkness, but the plants respond best to plenty of light and hydration. They also respond well to fertilizer, particularly during the initial growth period. Using a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content during this phase will result in speedy growth. Once the plant starts to flower, change to a phosphate and potassium fertilizer, which will encourage the buds to grow. For more tips on how to grow medical cannabis, the rules governing growing MMJ in California may be of help.

Are there different laws for growing MMJ versus recreational marijuana?

In some states where marijuana has been legalized for recreational as well as medical purposes, you may be allowed to grow it for both uses. Again, you will need to check the rules pertaining to your own particular state, but if you wish to grow cannabis with MMJ recommendation, you’re generally allowed to grow more than you would for recreational use. This is because the states in question recognize the need for MMJ and wish to take care of their legitimate MMJ card holders. Growing marijuana for medical purposes means that you are far more likely to just want it for your own use, whereas recreational users might be more tempted to sell it if they’re given free rein on how much they can cultivate.

MMJRecs - MMJ plant

Image by Quinn Kampschroer from Pixabay: Be sure you know the best practice for how to grow medical cannabis.

Do I need an MMJ card to grow marijuana for medical use?

If you wish to take advantage of your state’s rules governing the cultivation of MMJ, then you must have a valid MMJ card. There are many conditions that qualify people for a card, including but not limited to: anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and various chronic illnesses such as Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and arthritis. You can check out a full list of qualifying disorders here on MMJRecs.

If you don’t already have a card and think you might qualify, we can offer you a relaxed, stress-free assessment with one of our medical experts. These assessments generally take less than 20 minutes and can be done via telemedicine, so you don’t have to worry about leaving your house or enduring a face-to-face evaluation. If our expert decides that you qualify, your card will be dispatched immediately so you can start purchasing your MMJ from a dispensary or begin the process of cultivation, once you have determined the legal amount of marijuana to grow in your state.

Growing your own MMJ is definitely a more convenient and economic way of ensuring that you always have your favorite strain to hand. Just be sure that you are knowledgeable about the absolute best way to grow medical cannabis and of the legal amount of marijuana to grow, so that you stay on the right side of the law.

Featured image by cytis from Pixabay