Growing cannabis is a hobby that’s becoming popular in many states. If done right, it can help save you money and better manage the quality of the weed you consume. You know exactly where it comes from and won’t have to worry about moldy buds or pesticides.

But just because recreational cannabis is legal in your state doesn’t necessarily mean growing weed at home is legal there, too. State laws on home grow vary wildly throughout the US. Even if home cultivation is legal in the state you live in, it’s important to check how many plants are allowed to be sure you don’t exceed the limit.

Also, growing weed at home doesn’t mean you can distribute it. In most states, there are serious consequences to selling weed out of your house, including jail time.

Like so much in the cannabis world, home grow is confusing. We took a dive into US cannabis cultivation law to help you understand the ins and outs. Read on to learn all things home cultivation and make get the green light on your greens.

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Cultivation law vs. cannabis legalization and decriminalization

We will talk about different state laws on home cultivation soon, but first, let’s take a step back to look at the difference between legalization, decriminalization, and home cultivation laws.

Decriminalization means the substance is still illegal but the punishment is less severe. If you’re found with an illegal substance in a state where cannabis has been decriminalized, you may face fines, community service, or drug education instead of being incarcerated. In these states, home grow also remains illegal, but again, you will likely face less severe consequences than you would in a state where cannabis possession and cultivation remains a crime.

Legalization is the act of taking something that was once illegal and making it legal. Home grow is legal in most states where cannabis possession and use are legal, but it’s important to remember that even in states where weed is legal, growing cannabis at home may not be.

In order to understand whether it’s legal to grow weed at home in your state, you must look up the home (or, indoor) cultivation laws in your state. Then, check how many plants you are allowed to grow at home, where you can grow them, and for what purpose. Some states will only allow residents with a medical marijuana license to grow at home. Others may only allow you to grow one to two plants. In some states, the size of your household factors into how many plants you are allowed to grow.

It’s easy to accidentally break the law when it comes to home grow, so take the time to read the fine print here.

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State laws

Depending on what state you live in there may be a limited number of plants you can grow at one time. For example,  Michigan allows up to twelve plants per household. However, they can’t be seen by the public so you’ll need to have them hidden if you plan on growing them outside.

In Colorado, you can have up to six plants or if you live with 3 or more adults who are 21 or older you can have 12 plants. In California, if you live in the city growing your cannabis outside may be illegal. If you’re growing weed in California for recreational use you can have up to six plants but if you’re using it for medical reasons you can grow as many as you need.

Surprisingly, Oregon has stricter laws than some other states that allow cannabis growing. While it has a great climate for cultivating cannabis, you can only grow up to four plants, no matter how many people are living in your house.

Illinois also has somewhat surprising home grow laws. Only medical marijuana patients are allowed to grow cannabis at home, and they can only grow up to five plants.

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Don’t be green about growing your greens. If you’re considering growing cannabis at home, read the fine print. Make sure you understand how many plants you can grow, how the size of your home impacts that number, where you can grow your plants, and for what purpose it is legal to grow weed in your state.

By staying informed on your state’s home grow laws and complying with them, you can light up knowing your cannabis plants are 100% legit.