Homegrown weed offers users more quality control, accessibility

As interest and mainstream acceptance continues to grow for the cannabis industry, more people are looking into the possibility of growing it themselves.

Though recreational ‘home-growing’ is legal in some states for medical or recreational purposes, Washington limits growing to only licensed producers. There is a small provision, however, for medical patients.

People who grow their own marijuana find it’s a great way to control quality and costs.

“Most of what you need to grow your own, such as sun, moisture, and good soil, is already available and costs very little,” said Spokane resident Gloria Williams.

Some people grow marijuana purely for medicinal reasons, and others grow to reduce costs or share with friends, although the latter activity is definitely a legally gray area for the giver and receiver.

Williams said some home growers she knows don’t want to get a doctor’s prescription, or are frustrated with what they see as a lack of quality in some shops.

She said growing marijuana is not difficult if you’re willing to put effort and time into it. A beginner kit can cost as little as $80 and available at some specialty garden supply shops, online or by mail order. Williams said growing cannabis outdoors is easiest and a good place to start.  

However, many prefer to grow indoors due to privacy and weather conditions, especially in the Northwest. Fluorescent or LED lights also won’t break the bank with a huge electricity bill, either.

High quality seeds, pots, soil, light and a small fan are the essentials. Most supplies can be purchased at garden stores, but seeds may be trickier to acquire legally for private use. The Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board said only licensed businesses or members of registered cooperatives are legally allowed to buy seeds or plant clones. Sending seeds by mail could result in confiscation or even arrest, since marijuana is considered a controlled substance at the federal level. 

Williams decided to start growing her own supply of marijuana after she and several of her close friends reported having sleeping problems, anxiety, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She said she became “obsessed” with researching different strains, especially “Rick Simpson Oil” (RSO), which came into the national spotlight after the successful documentary, “Run From The Cure.”

While some studies have indicated that cannabis has healing properties and anti-tumor effects, a documentary about cannabis activist Rick Simpson’s cancer self-treatment and cure received more attention. Another “success” story was spotlighted in Sanjay Gupta’s documentary, “Weed,” which showed how CBD, another compound in cannabis, helped a young girl suffering from epileptic seizures.

People suffering from various diseases have flocked to RSO, including Williams, who said she “went deep down the rabbit hole” to research how compounds in cannabis can offer a wide range of beneficial qualities.  

She interviewed a couple of doctors and ultimately crossbred two recipes she found in her research to make a tincture, where cannabis is suspended in oil and placed under the tongue or added to food or beverages.   

“For me, it was all about helping with sleep and anxiety, and I also wanted to make something organic that I could control exactly what went into it,” she said.

Williams’ process takes about a month between growing the cannabis and then breaking it down into her tincture. She said results have been nothing short of miraculous.  

“We went from sleeping an hour a night to four or five, and it’s getting better all of the time,” Williams said.

She said the product’s success really comes down to quality and accessibility for Williams and her close-knit circle.

“I make mine with only organic cannabis and 100-proof vodka,” she said. “So I feel better controlling exactly what I want to grow.”

Williams continues to focus on improving her tincture over time, including substituting glycerin instead of alcohol. In the meantime, she plans to never take prescription drugs again.

 

 

 

 

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Homegrown weed still not legal without a doctor’s approval

 

If you want to grow cannabis legally at home in Washington, you need a doctor’s note.

Though a bill was introduced in Olympia this session to allow Washington residents age 21 and over to grow plants for personal use, it failed, leaving the home use question up in the air.

The bill would have allowed residents to grow up to six plants as long as less than 24 ounces of “usable marijuana is harvested.”

Washington’s initiative 502 legalized non-medical, recreational use of marijuana by people 21 years of age or older. But only licensed commercial growers can legally grow pot plants under the current law.

 Medical marijuana patients may legally grow a limited amount of plants for medicinal use, provided they have the written recommendation of a physician stating that they have certain specified medical conditions. 

All medical marijuana patients are required to possess a medical authorization from their healthcare provider. They can then decide to register with the state’s medical marijuana database or decline. If they choose to register, they are allowed to grow a larger number of plants, as recommended by their doctor.

Authorized patients who choose not to register can grow up to four plants and possess up to six ounces of cannabis from these plants. Patients must grow their cannabis in their personal residence, out of public sight.