ask Leah ...
It ’ s Winter ,
How Do I Grow My
Medical Cannabis Indoors ? by Leah Maurer , contributing writer
Leah
Leah Maurer , a native Missourian , is now a canna-journalist and activist living in Portland , OR . She is a co-owner of
www . TheWeedBlog . com , a top national cannabis news and information publication , where she serves as the Editorial Lead . In 2014 , Leah founded Moms for YES on Measure 91 through grassroots efforts alone , it proved pivotal in the passage of the Measure , successfully legalizing recreational / adult-use cannabis in the OR . Leah is a social justice and cannabis activist at the core and hopes to see an end to the prohibition of cannabis globally .
22 December 2021
Growing your own cannabis can be a very satisfying experience and can save you money ! Although outdoor growing is not a year-round option in Missouri , patients can easily set up an indoor cannabis garden as well .
Under Missouri Medical Marijuana law , a patient or their caregiver ( but not both ) may apply to obtain a cultivation license to ( home ) grow up to six flowering marijuana plants for an additional fee . These are some of the security regulations that must be followed :
• All qualifying patient cultivation shall take place in an enclosed , locked facility equipped with security devices that permit access only by the qualifying patient or by such patient ’ s primary caregiver .
• All cultivated flowering marijuana plants in the possession of a qualifying patient or primary caregiver shall be clearly labeled with the qualifying patient ’ s name .
• DHSS-issued cultivation authorization shall be clearly displayed within the enclosed cultivation area and in close proximity to the marijuana plants .
When we are looking at an indoor home grow , an “ enclosed , locked facility ” means an indoor stationary closet , room , garage , greenhouse , or other comparable fully enclosed space equipped with locks or other functioning security devices that permit access to only the qualifying patient ( s ) or primary caregiver ( s ).
When growing indoors , you have complete control of the environment , and you can save money while producing high-quality cannabis ! Plus , there ’ s a unique satisfaction in growing your own . Many cannabis enthusiasts claim they didn ’ t fully appreciate the plant until they grew it themselves .
Before planting seeds , it ’ s imperative you have the right materials for a proper indoor cannabis grow . Here ’ s a list of basic materials typically needed :
• Identify an area to grow . This can be a closet , indoor grow tent , spare room , or basement .
• Purchase indoor grow lights . These come in different varieties , and it ’ s important to talk with others about their experience or find a good gardening shop that can give research-based recommendations
• Determine your grow medium . Again , there are many varieties , but typically this is soil , Coco Choir , or a hydroponic system .
• Purchase proper nutrients . The primary nutrients required for a highquality cannabis crop are nitrogen ( N ), potassium ( K ), and phosphorus ( P ); however , these aren ’ t the only nutrients found in cannabis fertilizer .
• Locate and purchase seeds that interest you .
After you have assessed how to set up your garden , it is time to choose your seeds . Selecting the right seeds is critical when determining the type of cannabis plants you want to grow . The color , height , quality , and aroma of the plant all depend on the quality of the seed . One of the most critical factors when selecting seeds is choosing regular or feminized . Feminized seeds ensure the plant will be a female 99 % of the time , which is important because female plants produce the buds / cannabis flower we are all after . If a male plant is present , it will stunt the growth of the female plants .
Additionally , older seeds germinate slower and often have lower germination rates than newer seeds . However , even with fresh seeds , some strains germinate better than