Cultivating cannabis at home is a privilege, even in some states with legalization reform. There are some states where growing weed is still illegal despite years of adult-use laws in place. Those who grow their own speak often of the benefits. These consumers know precisely what goes into their pot and enjoy the tactile experience of turning it into a dank, smokable product.
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These sentiments were echoed by a poll taken by The Harris Poll for Royal Queen Seeds, a seed company that benefits from people cultivating their cannabis. It also revealed something new: home grows might be good for mental health.
The poll was nationally representative, gathering data from 2000 adults in February 2024. A touch over 700 of the respondents are cannabis consumers. This cohort agreed that consumers should have the right to grow weed at home (81 percent), and 62 percent would rather grow their own than buy it.
Of those who had experience growing at home, 34 percent did so because it felt safer than purchasing weed at the store. This data aligns with most assumptions about home growing, but the answers got more interesting when asked how cultivating cannabis made people feel.
Growing weed for mental health
The survey weighed the benefits of growing weed from multiple angles, like through the lens of mental health. Cannabis consumers who have grown at home showed that the process might be good for mental health. Cultivating their own weed made this group feel confident (49 percent), joyful (48 percent), proud (46 percent), and connected to the world around them (44 percent).
Confidence, or lack thereof, may be heavily at play among those struggling with high levels of anxiety or depression. Having authentic, non-egotistical pride has shown outcomes like creativity, authenticity, low aggression, and healthy relationships. Research also supports the notion that nature exposure (like touching weed plants) improves cognitive function, brain activity, mental health, sleep, and more. A meta-analysis supports the idea that gardening benefits general health and well-being.
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This data on home growers shows that at least half of this sample experienced some form of the benefits described in this research. Those who smoke weed for anxiety, depression, or general ennui may consider sowing a seed. Science appears to support getting your hands in the super soil or alternative medium and learning how to grow your own.
