We’re all living with a crazy amount of uncertainty these days. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has shown us that we simply can’t predict how much the world will change from one day to the next. One thing that is for certain is that medical marijuana (MMJ) patients will still need cannabis to help treat their physical or emotional medical conditions. As an MMJ cardholder, you’re probably concerned that you won’t be able to access all the MMJ products you need because the majority of the country is on lockdown or quarantined. Some people are feeling the need to stockpile to ensure they don’t run out. So if you’re wondering, “Am I able to grow more MMJ at home during COVID-19 lockdown?”, read the info below.

Can I grow with a medical card?

There are currently 33 states (plus Washington D.C.) that have legalized medical marijuana. That means if you’re a card-carrying MMJ patient, you can legally purchase the MMJ products you need to help with your symptoms. So, how many plants can you grow with a medical card? The answer is complicated. There are some states (such as New York and North Dakota) that do not permit patients to grow any of their own plants at home – they must purchase their products at licensed dispensaries only.

In the states where MMJ patients are permitted to grow and cultivate cannabis, the amount can vary widely. Each state has a limit, ranging from four all the way up to 12 plants that can be grown on an individual’s own property. There are sometimes restrictions that limit the number of mature plants vs. seedlings that you’re allowed to grow as well. Your best bet before deciding to grow any plants is to research the laws in the state where you live.

Image by Christina Winter on Unsplash: MMJ patients should check with their own state’s restrictions to determine how much product they can grow.

How much MMJ can I grow at home during lockdown?

Because of the current pandemic and the government’s orders for most Americans to remain at home, you’re probably asking, “Can I grow more MMJ at home during coronavirus?” The answer to this is also a bit tricky. At this time, there has not been any immediate legislation passed to change the amount of MMJ that a person is allowed to grow during this time. Although there might be some areas where patients are finding it harder to access dispensaries, there isn’t really anything new in terms of how much cannabis you’re allowed to grow.

This isn’t to say that law enforcement might not be more relaxed with grow limits; there could be some entities that understand that everyone is just trying to get through this difficult time with the resources they depend upon to manage their health. But your best bet is to not assume that you can get away with growing more marijuana than usual. It’s better to be safe than sorry in this situation, so don’t automatically assume you can avoid penalties if you’re not sticking to the grow limits in your state.

How else can you get MMJ during lockdown?

There are other ways to get your MMJ products if you’re concerned about grow limitations. At this time, many dispensaries are still open, especially ones located in larger cities. In fact, many of them have been permitted to stay open since they’ve been deemed “essential services” in areas of California, New Jersey, and some other states. This means the government is recognizing that individuals rely on these businesses in a major way to help with their medical conditions.

Even if your dispensary is no longer operating during normal business hours or might not have the entire dispensary open for customers, many of these businesses are providing curbside pick-upws so you don’t even have to get out of your car to pick up your MMJ products. Some dispensaries are going the extra mile to be even more helpful to their customers by offering home deliveries to MMJ patients. This is great for customers who might already have found it difficult to leave their homes (a difficulty that is only magnified during this crisis).

Image by Ndispensable on Unsplash: It might be possible for you to still get your MMJ products from local dispensaries, even during the lockdown.

Some local governments (e.g. Boston) have stated that they’ll allow MMJ patients to purchase more product during this time, in case they’re quarantined for many weeks. With this stipulation, patients can purchase a tad bit more cannabis than they normally would, such as a 60-day supply versus a 30-day one. It does seem as though some patients are taking advantage of this relaxed law, since many dispensaries are reporting an increase in their sales over the last couple of weeks. If you want to make sure you don’t run out of your MMJ products, you can research your state’s specific policies and see whether you’d be permitted to purchase more than you normally do (if you’re not wanting to grow your own plants).

If you’re concerned about not being able to get what you need from a dispensary, you might have the option of growing your own plants if it’s permitted in your state. Try to be conscious of how quickly you’re using up your supply during the pandemic; you might be able to have your products last longer by changing up the way you’re ingesting them, such as switching to edibles or tinctures that might last longer. Make sure to ask your doctor if you’re thinking of making any changes to your cannabis regimen. They might even be able to make some suggestions on how to make your supply last for a longer period of time with the same amount of efficacy.

Local dispensaries are another great resource during this time. Employees can help give you tips on how to maximize your MMJ supplies to last you during this lockdown period. Above all else, when in doubt, follow your state’s legislation and continue using your MMJ products to effectively treat your medical symptoms.

Featured image by Rick Proctor on Unsplash

Marijuana laws can be quite confusing. As it stands in 2019, the drug exists in a kind of grey area, where it’s legal in some states and illegal in others. Muddying the waters further is MMJ, or medical marijuana, a type of cannabis utilized by patients suffering from a spectrum of conditions. MMJ is legal in far more states than its recreational cousin, but can still prove confusing for patients and non-patients alike. When it comes to actually growing marijuana, the stats become even more confusing. The bottom line is that MMJ patients can grow more marijuana than non-MMJ patients, or recreational users. You might be curious about why this is, or wondering “How much cannabis can I legally grow?” We examine this and more in our breakdown below.

1. They Require More For Their Health

The single biggest reason, and maybe the most obvious one, is that MMJ patients require more marijuana for their health. For them, marijuana isn’t recreational; it’s crucial to their overall well-being. Think of it as medicine. If the average person could cultivate their own medicine, for whatever condition they suffer from, then they most certainly would. It’s no different for MMJ patients. The list of conditions that MMJ can provide relief from is vast and wide. Some are temporary and require only modest amounts of the drug. Others, like Parkinson’s or MS, are far more serious, and therefore require more effort to keep in check.  So what exactly is the legal amount of cannabis to grow? Well, this varies wildly from state-to-state. More confusingly, it’s ever-changing. Here is a list of current state regulations, but as MMJ is a developing medicine, these are all subject to change.

Image by noexcusesradio on Pixabay: Many patients can grow marijuana with MMJ recommendation.

The best policy is to keep up to date with your local health care professional, or online with trusted sources like MMJ Recs. They will help you keep abreast of the situation, and ensure you stay within legal limits.

2. They Want to Control the Purity of the Product

For patients battling chronic conditions, the purity of the MMJ is extremely important. The more pure the product, the stronger the effect. If you’re battling an extremely debilitating condition, then you want to be in control of the marijuana you take. One good way to do this is by growing the product yourself. It should be said that much of the medical marijuana grown in the U.S. these days is very pure, and manufacturers put a lot of effort into ensuring the quality of their product. However, a homegrown touch can just serve to ensure that patients are availing of the purest product possible, meaning an MMJ recommendation and growing marijuana go hand in hand.

3. It’s Cost-Effective (and Time-Effective)

Conditions that require a constant supply of medical marijuana can become expensive for patients, in both financial terms and time-efficiency terms. Going back and forth from dispensaries every other week can be draining, and the cumulative cost of the medicine can become overwhelming for some patients. Growing their own marijuana provides a valuable option which both relieves financial pressure and provides easier access to the drug. Growing marijuana properly might take a little while to get the hang of, but if you’re dealing with a chronic condition, it’s likely to be worth it over the long haul. Just make sure you keep on top of the legal amount of cannabis to grow, depending on where you are in the country. Recreational users of marijuana don’t have this necessity, and therefore can adapt their spending as they go.

Image by brujaisma on Pixabay: MMJ patients can grow more marijuana than recreational users.

4. Non-Reliance on Dispensaries

As well as costing patients both time and money, dispensaries are the only avenue for patients to avail of their medicine. Therefore, they become totally reliant on them as the sole outlet for MMJ. Giving patients the option to grow their own MMJ at home removes this dependency, and may serve to make them more content in the long run. Again, for recreational users, marijuana is a luxury item, so this reliance isn’t really a factor for them. Therefore, it makes sense that MMJ patients can grow more marijuana than the general public.

MMJ Recommendation and Growing Marijuana

Before you can start growing your own marijuana, you have to possess a valid MMJ recommendation, or MMJ card. While the process to achieve this varies from state-to-state, by and large it’s fairly simple. If you suffer from one of the conditions listed on the state’s individual rundown of qualifying conditions, then you can avail of MMJ, and even obtain your MMJ card easily over the internet. These MMJ cards need to be renewed every year; patients can easily do this through an experienced site like MMJRecs. Some states have a very long and broad list of qualifying conditions. Others are more narrow and specific. But, as MMJ usage becomes the norm, more and more states are accepting the drug as a valuable, natural medicinal option. Over the coming years we should see more states embracing MMJ, and subsequently allowing patients to grow their own.

However, before you start any kind of MMJ cultivation operation, make sure to check all legal avenues you can. You must be completely certain that it’s legal in your state, and that you abide by the parameters set down in the law.

Featured image by quinntheislander on Pixabay

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.

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.

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

Growing your own medicinal marijuana is an extremely satisfying thing to do. Watching your plants grow and thrive is a fun, rewarding experience. It is also a very educational undertaking and a skill that you can build.

If you’re wondering how to easily grow marijuana at home, you will need to know which are the easiest marijuana strains to grow. For a novice grower, the best marijuana to grow is a strain that will be easy. After growing a few easy MMJ strains at home successfully, you will be ready to attempt some more complex strains later.

So what are the easiest medical marijuana strains to grow at home?

Image by RexMedlen on Pixabay: Once you know how to easily grow marijuana at home, you’ll never look back!

Why Should MMJ Patients Grow At Home?

It’s important to realize that learning how to easily grow marijuana at home has many benefits apart from the satisfaction of learning and watching the results of your efforts. Being able to grow at home means you can be certain that your MMJ is totally pure, organic, and free from chemicals. Growing your own MMJ is also much more economical, as you can get far more marijuana for your money. It’s also extremely convenient to have a large supply of fresh herb growing in your own home.

What Are The Laws Surrounding Growing MMJ At Home?

Growing your own MMJ at home is still not permitted in every American state. Of the states that do permit home cultivation, some have very liberal laws, while others are far more restrictive. The legal amount to grow varies quite considerably between the states that allow home cultivation of MMJ. So it is always wise to check with the authorities in your state of residence to make sure that you are permitted to grow at home, and if you are, how much MMJ you can produce.

Why Are Some MMJ Strains Easier To Grow At Home Than Others?

Some MMJ strains are much easier to grow than others. For beginner growers, it is best to choose these kinds of strains to start off. The easiest marijuana strains to grow are the strains that require less complex nutrients and are most resilient to threats such as mold, temperature variations, and pests.

What Are The Easiest Strains To Grow At Home?

Below, we’ve rounded up six easy cannabis strains to grow. These strains are all very popular with novice growers because they are very easy to cultivate well at home, and they also taste and feel great!

GG4

GG4 is one of the very best strains of marijuana for beginners to grow. This aromatic hybrid strain grows tight and bushy, so it does not take up a lot of room. Also, it does not have especially particular nutrition needs. GG4 is a potent, relaxing strain of MMJ that is very easy to grow yourself.

Cinex

Another of the easiest marijuana strains to grow is the THC-heavy hybrid Cinex. Cinex, which is famously creativity-inducing, can be grown in small spaces and is also especially resistant to mold and mildew.

Blue Dream

Blue Dream is one of the most popular MMJ strains on the market. It has a very even, clear-headed high and is suitable for daytime use. It also one of the easiest marijuana strains to grow because it has high yields while being very resistant to root rot and mildew.

Image by pixundfertig on Pixabay: Choosing one of the easiest marijuana strains to grow at home is a good move for beginner growers.

Mango Sapphire

Mango Sapphire is an indica-dominant, high-THC MMJ strain that is especially easy to grow. This resilient plant has a medium yield and it is strong at defending itself against mold and pests. Mango Sapphire can be grown indoors or outdoors.

Easy Skunk

Easy Skunk is an aptly named indica-dominant MMJ strain that will produce a medium yield with minimal maintenance when grown either indoors or outdoors. The Easy Skunk plant is resilient to pests and mildew and has straightforward nutritional requirements.

Blue Hash

The final easy cannabis strain to grow on our list is Blue Hash. Blue Hash is a popular indica-dominant strain that is especially mold- and mildew-resistant, as well as being relatively insensitive to climate. Blue Hash is robust and grows quickly, making it an ideal choice for novice growers.

How Do You Get An MMJ Card?

In order to grow MMJ at home, you will need to have an MMJ card. MMJ cards are very easy to get. All you need is to have a suitable qualifying condition and to have a short online consultation with a suitable medical professional.

So now you know about some of the easiest marijuana strains to grow, and you’re ready to try home cultivation. Planting and caring for one of these easy-to-grow strains will be a fun, rewarding, and educational experience. Enjoy!

Featured image by FutureFilmWorks on Pixabay

Growing your own medical marijuana is a fantastic option for many MMJ card holders. Luckily, in Oklahoma, it’s relatively simple to get started. Let’s take a look at the rules, requirements, and practicalities so you’ve got everything you need to start growing medical marijuana in Oklahoma.

Is It Legal To Grow Medical Marijuana In Oklahoma?

The first question, and the most important, is: does an Oklahoma medical marijuana card let you grow MMJ? The answer is yes! In Oklahoma, you can grow medical marijuana with only a medical marijuana patient license. An MMJ card allows a person to:

• Consume marijuana legally;
• Legally possess up to three (3) ounces (84.9 grams) of marijuana on their person;
• Legally possess six mature marijuana plants;
• Legally possess six seedling plants;
• Legally possess (1) ounce (28.3 grams) of concentrated marijuana;
• Legally possess seventy-two (72) ounces (2,037.6 grams) of edible marijuana; and
• Legally possess up to eight (8) ounces (226.4 grams)of marijuana in their residence.

For growing, this means you are able to cultivate six full plants or six seedlings, depending on what else you have, since possession is considered cumulative. Any more than this and you need to be a commercial grower, which requires a grower’s permit. This is only necessary if you are looking to grow commercially – if you’re growing for personal consumption, a regular MMJ patient license will suffice.

Growing medical marijuana in Oklahoma can be a great option for many MMJ card holders.

To get an MMJ card in Oklahoma you need to apply to OMMA, the state’s MMJ governing body. You’ll need to submit your personal details, proof of Oklahoma residency, proof of identity, a clear, color, full-face digital photograph, and a physician’s recommendation. Some people opt to go to their regular doctor for this, but many more prefer to apply for this recommendation online through a platform such as MMJRecs. To do so, you simply need to submit a standard medical form along with the necessary attachments, then have a video consultation with a registered professional. If they believe you will benefit from medical marijuana, they are able to recommend you for a card. Completing the process online is preferable for many potential MMJ patients, as it means doing the whole thing from the comfort of your own home with professionals who know what they’re talking about.

How To Grow Medical Marihuana In Oklahoma: Dos and Don’ts

As stated before, the law stipulates a growing cap of six mature marijuana plants or six seedlings. In addition to the limitations on how much you can grow, there are also very strict rules about who can consume it – namely, only you. You can’t give or sell your medical marijuana to anybody else, nor any other entity; this means you can’t sell it to processors or dispensaries. Additionally, Oklahoma legislation states that “medical marijuana grown by medical marijuana patient license holders or caregivers may only be grown on real property owned by the patient license holder or on real property for which the patient license holder has the property owner’s written permission to grow medical marijuana on the property.” It can’t be grown where it is accessible to a member of the general public, nor can it be visible from “any street adjacent to the property.”

Furthermore, after growing MMJ, you can’t legally “operate or otherwise use any extraction equipment or processes utilizing butane, propane, carbon dioxide or any potentially hazardous material.”

Now we’ve covered the legalities of growing medical marijuana in Oklahoma, let’s look at the practicalities. Like many plants, it requires specifics to thrive, so if you’re looking to grow often, take the time to do your research. However, unlike other plants, medical marijuana can sometimes bloom in total darkness. That said, it’s still better to try to optimize your plants by providing them with plenty of light, water, and fertilizer. Your plants will respond well to fertilizer during their vegetative growth period, and using one high in nitrogen can help boost rapid growth. Once the plants flower, switch to a fertilizer that’s rich in phosphates and potassium, since this will help encourage large buds. The flowering stage is the last in marijuana’s lifecycle, so the plant will die after this. But by this stage you should have harvested what you need, and can then start the whole process again.

If you choose to grow MMJ in Oklahoma, just follow the rules and regulations and you’ll be fine.

What If You Don’t Want To Grow MMJ In Oklahoma?

Growing your own medical marijuana is not for everyone. Some MMJ card holders aren’t able to due to their ailments, and others may just not have much of a green thumb. That’s fine – there are other ways to get medical marijuana in Oklahoma without growing it. The main one is, of course, finding a local dispensary, and there’s no shortage to choose from; Oklahoma State has approved more than 1,500 dispensaries since medical marijuana was legalized.

If you are unable to grow medical marijuana for health reasons and have opted to have a caregiver apply for an MMJ card on your behalf, they are able to fulfill the same cultivation rights as you would. However, they can only do this for up to five patients.

Growing medical marijuana in Oklahoma is relatively simple, and so long as you stay within the restrictions imposed by the OMMA, you should have no problems cultivating a great crop. The most important thing to do before you start growing is to make sure you have a valid MMJ card – a process that’s simple if you go through MMJRecs!

With a California medical marijuana card, you are legally entitled to grow six marijuana plants in your own home. Although this doesn’t sound like a huge amount, it’s a lot more than the one you’ll be able to grow legally without the card in 2018 when Prop 64 goes into effect. With six plants, you can produce a significant amount of weed — definitely more than enough for personal use. In this article, we’ll explore some medical marijuana growing tips for newbies and walk you through how you can start to grow your own once you have your MMJ card.

Buy Seeds

You can find medical marijuana seeds at your local weed dispensary.

Like any other plant, there are numerous ways to grow medical marijuana, and there are a lot of things that can go wrong with the growth process. If you’re not prepared and don’t look after your plants, prevent pests and nourish your marijuana plants, they will die. The first thing you’ll need to do is to procure some medical marijuana seeds. You can find them at your local weed dispensary. At the dispensary, you’ll get advice on how many seeds you’ll need and suggestions for growing methods. All you’ll need to do is decide what method works best for you.

Plant Them

Rock wool or coco fiber will help your medical marijuana grow.

The easiest method is simply to use plain dirt and grow the medical marijuana in your backyard. Since the introduction of medical marijuana cards, this has become a more common method and one that many people use on a regular basis. It is also by far the most common way for beginners to start growing their own weed. It’s important to remember that you have to have a secure backyard with a fence that locks to ensure you don’t break California law.

The main advantage for growing in dirt is that it is the cheapest way to start and you can find fertilizers from local garden stores that will do a good job. The main disadvantage is you can’t be sure of soil quality and may get a bad crop of medical marijuana as a result. If using normal soil, you’ll need to make sure that the plants are exposed to lots of natural light (luckily, California has a lot of it) and are watered on a regular basis to ensure healthy growth.

Other growers like to use rock wool or coco fiber. The best way to think about these methods is to think about growing your medical marijuana with a high-quality bespoke soil. This is slightly more expensive than using the soil found in your backyard, but you’ll face a lot fewer issues when it comes to the quality of the crop. You’ll have to find coco fiber or rock wool, but if you live in a big town or have a good dispensary nearby, you won’t have an issue with procuring either.

Try Aeroponics

A more advanced technique is to use aeroponics to grow medical marijuana indoors. Although we don’t recommend this to first-time growers, it is something that you might be able to graduate to in the future. This method consists of hanging the plants in mesh baskets in the air. You’ll be required to spray the roots of the medical marijuana with a mix of water and fertilizer on a daily basis, usually numerous times per day. This is a more labor-intensive method, and simple mistakes, such as not getting the pH just right, can ruin an entire crop. However, the results when done well are stunning. This can be the fastest and most effective way of growing marijuana, resulting in the highest yields.   

Consider Indoor vs Outdoor

Once you decide on your growing method, the next most important thing to think about is whether you’re going to grow your plants indoors or outdoors. Both have pros and cons. It is common in the weed community to think that indoor growth is better, but this is largely down to the years that cannabis was strictly illegal when most people, for security’s sake, were forced to grow their cannabis indoors. This isn’t to say that there aren’t numerous benefits for growing indoors — the most common being complete control of your growing environment. This means you can control the temperature, light, carbon dioxide and humidity of your growing environment. Of course, in order to do that, you’ll need to buy all the lights and equipment. A truly effective growth environment can cost thousands of dollars.

Outdoor growth isn’t exactly free, but it’s certainly substantially cheaper than growing your weed indoors. If you choose to grow outdoors, you have to bear in mind that you are at the mercy of nature. Whether it’s flooding, drought, or a pesky animal or person stealing your plants, there is a range of issues with outdoor growth that you’ll never have to face when growing indoors.

Once you have your medical marijuana card and are experimenting with growing your own weed for the first time, try to grow outdoors first. This will allow you to experiment with low-cost materials and discover if growing your own weed is right for you. You could eventually decide to upgrade to an indoor growth environment, or you may hate the process of growing marijuana altogether. If that’s the case, you’ll have saved some money and will be able to purchase weed from your local dispensary instead. Neither choice is the wrong one when it comes to medical marijuana.  

For someone who has a newly minted medical marijuana card, going to the local dispensary can feel like the only logical option to obtaining their medication. They tend to have a wide variety of MMJ and are staffed by people who can advise you. However, as medical marijuana laws in California also allow people to grow their own at home, many people ask themselves if growing their own medical marijuana is worth it. Before you decide which is best for you, here are some things to consider.

Do You Have Space?

The first thing you’ll need if you want to commit to growing your own MMJ is space. It might seem obvious, but your home must have the space for your project. If you live in a tiny one-bedroom apartment, it’s probably better to go down to the dispensary. Most people who grow their own have a dedicated room for their plants. This is not like growing a regular plant in a vase. Marijuana needs a lot of care and attention. It may seem slightly daunting, but with the right setup, anyone can grow their own.

Are You Following the Law?

Once you’ve decided on your dedicated space, you need to make sure that it doesn’t contravene the law. Under California medical marijuana laws, those who consume medical marijuana can grow plants in up to 100 square feet. If you’re a carer who is responsible for up to five patients, you can grow plants in up to 500 square feet. It may seem like a lot, but it’s definitely worth measuring and checking just in case so that you’re not accidentally breaking the law.

Do You Have the Right Equipment?

Many supplies you’ll need to grow medical marijuana can be purchased in any gardening supplies store.

The initial equipment is expensive, but you will end up saving money in the long run by growing your own medical marijuana. In addition to the seeds or starter plants, you’re going to need to invest in sturdy pots in which to grow the plants. Depending on your preference, you can grow multiple plants in larger pots or individually plant them. Like any other plants, medical marijuana will require soil (air-permeable soil is best) as well as supplements to help it grow. Liquid or pellet nutrition supplements can be used, and they can be easily purchased in any gardening supplies store.

Lighting is also very important to encourage medical marijuana growth. You will need to purchase growth lamps to ensure that your plants get the best light. Investing in proper LED or fluorescent lights are the best bet for a crop that will meet your medical needs. Timed lights are best, and it’s advised that you have them on for 12 hours and off for 12 hours to ensure the correct balance.

Fans are also an essential purchase if you want to cultivate MMJ at home. Medical marijuana needs to have air circulating near it to ensure that carbon dioxide levels are at an optimum level.

Can Gardening Soothe Your Symptoms?

The act of growing your own medical marijuana might even help your symptoms.

If your MMJ card has been issued for mental health or anxiety reasons, growing your own medical marijuana may prove to help your symptoms. Gardening has been shown to be a soothing and productive activity that actually can assist those suffering from symptoms of anxiety and depression. So, even when your plants aren’t ready to be consumed, they’ll still be helping you in a small way to alleviate your symptoms.

Do You Have the Right Seeds for Your Symptoms?

When picking your seeds, you need to know what specific symptoms you will be managing with the medical marijuana you’ll be growing. From chronic pain to anxiety to insomnia, it’s important to make sure that you don’t put a lot of hard work in on a crop that may actually work against your symptoms. Do your research carefully before you buy, and make sure you get your seeds from somewhere with a good reputation.

Do You Have a Great Local Dispensary?

Although there are clear bonuses to growing your own medical marijuana, there is also a lot to be said for being a loyal customer of your local dispensary. Dispensaries will have a full range of MMJ, so you’ll be able to try a few strains before you settle on the one that works best for you. The dispensary is also a great place to ask all the questions you might have before you embark on your MMJ journey.

If you’re a newbie to the medical marijuana world, the thought of growing your own might be impossibly intimidating. The professional retail environment of a dispensary can be reassuring as can the opportunity to ensure that you’re purchasing your medicine under the guidance of people who know exactly what they’re talking about.

Whether you’re growing your own or visiting the dispensary, do your research, and make sure that the medical marijuana strain you end up with is the one for you. Knowledge is power, so make sure that whatever avenue you go down, you’re armed and ready to make the best decision for you.

Modern medicine is slowly but surely waking up to the huge health and healing benefits of medical marijuana. MMJ is now being used to treat and manage a whole host of physiological and psychological diseases.

However, despite a slew of studies showing its effectiveness, and mountains of anecdotal evidence from cannabis card patients who have benefited from its use, there is still controversy surrounding medical marijuana. In many circles, marijuana is viewed as a harmful and deviant drug. Rigid thinking in this area means that many people refuse to see cannabis as anything but the dangerous and degrading substance they have been brainwashed into believing it is.

Marijuana’s bad reputation comes from decades of baselessly awful press, and a large amount of deliberate misinformation that’s been peddled by malevolent and cynical forces with sinister agendas.

For much of the 19th century, physicians happily, and to great effect, prescribed Cannabis Indica for a wide range of ailments including nervous disorders, labor pains, nausea, asthma, sexual dysfunction, and headache. Well over 100 studies published in the 19th century validated its effectiveness. Marijuana was well and truly a ‘superstar’ of 1800s medicine. Cannabis was to the 19th century apothecary, what Conor McGregor is to the 2017 UFC.

Medical marijuana and modern medicine: a match made in heaven?

But in 1937 things changed. The Marijuana Tax Act became law and the use of marijuana for medical purposes or otherwise became illegal. Propaganda was disseminated that said cannabis was of no medicinal benefit and that it was, in fact, sinister and harmful. Stories of people going crazy and committing acts of wild violence and sexual depravity while under the influence of the evil herb marijuana were circulated and the notion that weed was a satanic and horrendous poison seeped into the national consciousness. These wild stories were thoroughly false and baseless, yet a naive populace believed them anyway.

According to author Preston Peet, in his excellent book ‘Under the Influence: The Disinformation Guide to Drugs’, the underlying purpose of criminalizing and vilifying cannabis was to kill the hemp industry, and make the big business interests who ran the synthetic fiber industry even more filthy rich. It seems possible that the alcohol industry, which had just exploded after the end of prohibition in 1933, also stood to benefit from a total ban on marijuana.

Marijuana stayed strictly ‘off the menu’ for doctors and patients (on an official basis at least) for the next several decades, until eventually the mood began to change in more enlightened parts of the nation during the 1990s. California passed Proposition 215 in 1996 which allowed the use of medical cannabis in the state for people with a California medical marijuana card. Gradually other states opened their eyes to the undeniable benefits of issuing medical 420 cards and followed suit, legalizing marijuana for medical use. By the beginning of 2017, 28 US states had legalized medical marijuana.

MMJ is now firmly a part of modern medicine with physicians prescribing a California medical card for physiological conditions such as vomiting, migraines, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, nausea, sickle-cell disease, Parkinson’s disease, sleep apnea, spinal cord injuries, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, muscle spasms, and asthma, as well as psychological conditions like anxiety disorder, insomnia, bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD.

The benefits of cannabis cards for modern medicine are now being thoroughly explored and studies are bringing a whole host of new and unexpected benefits to light. Studies on laboratory animals are showing that the cannabinoids found in MMJ can inhibit tumor growth, and even kill tumors by inhibiting the formation of new blood vessels that tumors need in order to grow. This is an excellent development in the fight against cancer. Cannabinoids even seem to have an advantage over chemotherapy because, while chemo tends to annihilate healthy cells as well as cancerous cells, cannabinoids seem to kill cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells intact.

Not only is MMJ easing the pain and suffering of patients with a raft of different diseases, and showing potential to kill tumors, but it is also, according to research from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, showing great potential to improve neurological functioning after a stroke, and a study from the National Cancer Institute is even suggesting that it could have a protective effect against the development of certain tumors! Hurray for cannabis!

So the real story of medical marijuana and modern medicine is a beautiful love story. There was a passionate honeymoon full of laughter, lust and wild nights. Then came a tumultuous middle period in which mistrust, wild accusations and hurt feelings lead to an acrimonious break-up. But that break-up was ultimately character building, and it let the lovers realize just how much then really meant to each other, and they finally got back together in a wonderful reunion, and a renewed, more mature, and deeper love flourished, and looks set to continue to flourish forever more! Warms your heart, right?

What are the effects of using medical cannabis in conjunction with other medication? Does your marijuana interfere with other medication? It is important to understand how any combination of drugs you are taking will work together and the effects that mixing them will have on your body and mind.

In order to avoid any unwanted effects from drug interactions inside your body, it is crucial that you keep your doctor informed and listen carefully to his or her advice.

If you are taking traditional medical and medical cannabis, we advise asking your doctor what the effects coud be.

Although there is not a wealth of peer-reviewed studies on interactions between medical marijuana and commonly-used medications, there certainly are potential side effects that can occur when MMJ is taken alongside other drugs. Many widely taken prescription and nonprescription drugs, when taken in combination, will react chemically inside the body. These reactions can be good, bad, or benign. Cannabis card patients and their doctors should consider the potential reactions that both prescribed and ‘over the counter’ medications will have with the cannabis they use, because sometimes those reactions are not inconsequential.

Marijuana can have an additive effect when taken in conjunction with certain pain medications. This additive effect, when one drug amplifies the effect of another, is called ‘potentiation’. The effect can be unpredictably strong. Cannabis is often prescribed alongside NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for the relief of pain symptoms from arthritis. The combination is very effective for reducing pain. Patients using their California medical card alongside painkillers need to be careful because the potentiation of these drugs can lead to drowsiness or depression of the central nervous system which controls heart rate and respiration.

Medical cannabis is a wonderful herb but it’s best to learn about its effects on your body before consuming.

Medications that are dedicated central nervous system (CNS) depressants or sedatives can bring on a feeling of drowsiness. Certain strains of MMJ (usually indica-dominant hybrids) that have a similar effect can greatly enhance the effects of these drugs. Some medications prescribed for insomnia, anxiety, depression and, as previously mentioned, pain relief fall into this category. So be aware that taking sedative drugs and using medical cannabis may knock you out more than expected.

Antihistamines, which are used in the treatment of allergy symptoms associated with hay fever, have a depressing effect on the CNS. Antihistamines can cause drowsiness, so when used in combination with a California weed card can have a potentiated effect.

Antihypertensives are commonly used by people with hypertension to lower their blood pressure. Some strains of medical cannabis, especially sativa-dominant strains, can temporarily increase blood pressure, so if you are taking drugs to lower blood pressure be aware that certain strains of weed may counteract their effects.

Hormone medications can be effected by medical cannabis use. Marijuana can make the oestrogen used in birth control or as hormone replacement therapy less effective. This means the intended effects of these drugs may be compromised. What’s that we hear in the distance?? Oh it’s the the pitter-patter of tiny feet. How exciting!!! Or not. Seriously though, the effects of medical cannabis on birth control pills is often negligible, but it’s always best to be extra-safe and talk to your physician.

Marijuana can slow blood clotting, so when it is mixed with prescription medicines such as warfarin that slow blood clotting, or with nonprescription drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin that have the side effect on slowing clotting, this may result an increased risk of bleeding and/or bruising.

The effect of medications that metabolize within the liver may be strongly impacted by the presence of medical marijuana in the system. Cannabis has been known to slow down, or speed up, certain processes the liver uses to break down medication. This can result in medications being at a higher blood concentration or lasting longer than would normally be the case, or alternatively, being processed more rapidly and losing their effect more quickly. Therefore, the dose or frequency of these medications may need to be adjusted when they are being taken in conjunction with medical marijuana.

It has sometimes been noted that certain medications that may be used to treat patients with cancer, HIV, and people who have had an organ transplant may sometimes interact with medical marijuana. Since many people with these conditions use medical cannabis to manage their symptoms, it is important to check with a doctor to be sure that the particular drugs you are taking are appropriate to take alongside MMJ.

Cannabis has been shown to decrease the effectiveness of metformin (known by the brand name Glucophage) which is used as an aid in controlling the blood sugar levels of diabetes patients, as the effect of lowering blood sugar is opposed by cannabinoids.

Also, marijuana can cross the placenta and be excreted in breast milk, so it’s best for breastfeeding mothers to discuss the potential risks of breastfeeding while using their MM card with their doctor.

So these are some of the more common potential side effects of mixing medical cannabis with other drugs. There can be many advantages to using your 420 card along with other useful drugs, but it is always wise to be conscious and aware of what you are putting into your body, and how those substances will react with each other.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a disorder that affects certain people who have experienced a highly traumatic event. Being involved in warfare, extreme violence, or a road accident, or being the victim of child abuse, sexual assault, terrorism, or other threats to life can result in a person experiencing PTSD. It is also an affliction that can be treated with the use of medical marijuana.

Approximately 7.7 million Americans suffer from PTSD, and 11-30% of soldiers returning from combat in Iraq or Afghanistan have the condition. The main symptoms of this brutal condition are flashbacks, chronic anxiety, depression, insomnia and nightmares. Sufferers respond to innocuous events and cues in the external (and their internal) world with an acute panic response, because they remind them of the initial trauma they experienced.

There is a wealth of evidence demonstrating the benefits of medical marijuana for individuals suffering from PTSD. By aiding in something called memory extinction, marijuana can help reduce the association between innocuous stimuli in the present and traumatic events from the past. It also calms the body and mind, reduces stress, and aids sleep.

PTSD can affect people of all ages and backgrounds.

There are plenty of studies to back up marijuana’s effectiveness in treating PTSD. A University of Haifa study from 2014 showed that rats that were exposed to trauma, who received a synthetic cannabinoid within 24 hours, did not exhibit PTSD symptoms, however rats that were not treated with the cannabinoid did develop symptoms. This study led to an understanding of the neurological characteristics of the behavioral effects of PTSD. In traumatized subjects there was an increase in brain receptors associated with emotional processing. Cannabis was shown to decrease the numbers of these specific receptors in the areas of the brain that imprinted traumatic memories.

A study by Dr. George R. Greer MD in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2014 showed that participants with PTSD reported, on average, a 75% reduction in major PTSD symptoms while using medical marijuana. Dr. Greer reported, “Many PTSD patients report symptom reduction with cannabis, and a clinical trial needs to be done to see what proportion and what kind of PTSD patients benefit, with either cannabis or the main active ingredients of cannabis.”

As well as evidence from studies, there is also a wealth of anecdotal evidence self-reported by sufferers of PTSD who say that their lives would be unbearable if it wasn’t for the positive impact that medical marijuana has on their debilitating condition.

There is no doubt that medical marijuana is a very effective treatment for PTSD, but not all weed strains are equally effective. Here is a list of seven hybrid strains that people have reported work particularly well in combating PTSD.

Medical marijuana can help sufferers of PTSD.

Blue Dream is widely available with a California medical marijuana card. It is a mildly high-THC hybrid, and offers very reliable relief from PTSD. The sativa-dominant strain has an energizing and buoyant effect. It contains a nice dose of indica which produces a warm feeling of physical relaxation also. The herb is not very strong, so you can go about your business, feeling clear headed and fully functional while enjoying its PTSD-busting effects.

Grand Daddy Purple is a very pleasant indica-dominant hybrid that produces feelings of happiness, positivity and relaxation. It is often used by cannabis card holders who suffer from depression, and is widely regarded as an excellent strain for treating PTSD.

Stress Killer this is a high-CBD strain created by Royal Queen Seeds and easily available to people with a California medical marijuana card. It has quite low levels of THC, and is ideal for people who enjoy a mild but very manageable psychoactive effect. It will produce a light, sedative high and is ideal for relieving the anxiety that comes with PTSD.

A very popular indica-dominant strain that is famously good for pain and stress relief is Blueberry Kush. This is a big favorite with California marijuana card holders. It puts the body into a very relaxed state, and is widely availed of by PTSD sufferers.

Northern Lights is a massively popular indica-dominant strain that is used extensively by people with cannabis cards who suffer with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. It brings on a mellow high and is a fantastic sleep aid. It takes hold fast and knocks you out hard. Northern Lights and heavy machinery are not happy (or safe) bedfellows!

Even more of an insomnia-wrecker is Master Kush. This is a firm favorite of people who are cursed with chronic and extreme insomnia. It is a very strong strain that is not for first time smokers. You should be an experienced 420 card user before you use this powerful strain! It will knock you out hard and fast, producing a super-mellow high and ultra-relaxed body. Don’t bother getting munch, you won’t be needing it! Oh and make sure you are seated somewhere nice and comfortable when you smoke this awesome strain, because you probably won’t be moving very far for the foreseeable future!

Pineapple Express is a relatively mild sativa-dominant hybrid strain with a THC content of about 20%. The effects are pleasantly relaxing. It provokes a warm, happy feeling, and is eminently usable for during the day. Many PTSD sufferers have enjoyed the effects that this pleasant strain has given them.

California medical marijuana card owners are well served by a small army of friendly, knowledgeable, and well-stocked MMJ dispensaries. But there is also a lot to be said for cultivating your own medical cannabis.

It is a beautiful feeling to sit back, relax, and spark up a bowl that you yourself have reared, tended to, and watched develop over a period of several months. It is a very satisfying experience to grow your own weed, and a rewarding day when you smoke the herb that you have produced with your own hands. It provides a lovely feeling of accomplishment.

As long as you have a California Medical Marijuana Card, you can grow your own weed.

But what does the law say about cultivating your own cannabis? Does a California medical marijuana card enable a patient to grow their own weed, and if so, in what amounts, and where?

Proposition 215, the California Compassionate Use Act, which came into effect in 1996 makes it legal for patients and their primary caregivers to grow their own medical marijuana for personal use, provided they have the recommendation and approval of a licensed California physician.

The law explicitly covers cannabis cultivation for personal medical use only. Under Proposition 215 patients are allowed to grow whatever amount of medical marijuana they require to treat or manage their particular illness. 420 card patients can be prosecuted if they exceed these reasonable limits. They can also get into trouble for exceeding a local jurisdiction’s cultivation limits.

In 2004 a legislative statute went into effect that broadened Proposition 215. It allowed California medical marijuana card patients to form non-profit medical cannabis growing collectives and cooperatives. Many collectives and cooperatives now operate in the state, however, like in so many areas of MMJ law, exact policies vary from local jurisdiction to local jurisdiction, and many local governments within California have banned or restricted the rights of patients to set up collectives. Collectives tend to attract the attention of law enforcement, and large outdoor grows with over 100 plants are risky as, although they are not necessarily in breach of Proposition 215, they carry a five-year minimum sentence under US federal law.

Do you fancy growing your own MMJ? Just make sure you’re on the right side of the law.

The Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act, which came into effect January 1st 2016, established a system for the permitting of marijuana cultivation and dispensaries. It allows patients to grow up to 100 square feet of cannabis for personal medical use, and primary caregivers with five or less patients to cultivate up to 500 square feet. The cultivation of amounts above this is considered to be growing for commercial sale, and to do this a license is required. Again though, this does not mean a local government cannot enforce its own restrictions or bans on the cultivation of medical marijuana in its own jurisdiction.

Problems with law enforcement are always a possibility when cultivating your own MMJ. Patients have been arrested for growing amounts that police deem over and above what they require, or due to complaints from other residents in an area, or for having dubious recommendations. Patients have ended up on trial, needing to prove the veracity of their medical marijuana cultivation needs. The State Supreme Court has ruled that patients have the same rights to medical cannabis as they do to any legally prescribed drug, thus, patients who have been arrested for cultivation can request dismissal of charges at a pretrial hearing, and the dismissal will be granted if the can convince the judge that there is no probable cause that it wasn’t for medical purposes. Patients in this situation, when acquitted, will have their plants returned to them.

You can grow your medical marijuana on your own private property. However, landlords are not obligated to allow tenants to cultivate medical cannabis on their property, and some local jurisdictions have enacted zoning laws that restrict where medical marijuana can be grown.

Proposition 215 does not allow California medical marijuana card patients to sell their excess cultivated medical marijuana. Legal caregivers and members of growing collectives can charge for their expenses in growing for others, but always on a non-profit basis.

When Proposition 64 comes into effect in January 2018 at the earliest, it will become legal to cultivate recreational marijuana. It will be possible to cultivate up to six plants per residence and possess the marijuana produced by these plants. Local governments may still forbid cultivation outdoors, but must allow it inside a private residence or accessory structure that is “fully enclosed and secure”.

These new cultivation laws will not affect the existing legal rights of California medical marijuana card holders to grow as much as they need under the original Proposition 215, or up to 100 square feet under the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act.
So yes, it is certainly possible to grow your own MMJ in California, but always be wise and aware of how much you are growing, where you are growing it, and what your local jurisdiction’s specific rules and regulations are.