How Many Cannabis Plants Can You Grow Legally?

The laws governing the home cultivation of cannabis are still somewhat stringent, even though the US cannabis market has significantly increased general access to cannabis for medical and adult use.

The legality of cannabis cultivation for adult use or medical use, the number of plants you can grow, the plant's maturity, and many other factors differ from state to state.

In this article, we'll cover the rules that apply to cannabis cultivation at home, the states where it's allowed to do so, and some general advice.

In Which U.S. State Growing Cannabis Legal?

The first concern is legality. Our state-by-state breakdown of local laws outlines where and how many cannabis plants you are permitted to lawfully grow in your house.

State laws addressing restrictions on cultivation and possession differ. If you intend to produce and keep track of your plants, you may need to notify the state's medical marijuana program organization in some areas. In certain states, you can only expand if a doctor or the state itself permits you.

When it comes to growing marijuana at home, they have one general rule: keep your plants in a room that is secure and away from public schools. Most regulations governing at-home cultivation call for discretion.

Alaska

In Alaska, adults 21 and older may grow up to six (6) cannabis plants in total for adult or medical use, but only three mature plants may be present at any one time. There can be a maximum of 12 mature plants in a building where there are several people over the age of 21, with no more than six of those being mature or flowering.

Arizona

When living more than 25 miles from a medical marijuana shop, Arizona law allows licensed patients and their carers to lawfully grow up to six cannabis plants.

California

In California, persons who are 21 years old and older are permitted to grow up to six plants for personal use; however, no residence may have more than six plants. Patients who need to grow their cannabis plants for medical purposes can get a grower's recommendation, which permits them to grow as many plants as they require in a 100-square-foot space to cure their qualifying ailment. Remember that local governments can decide on their expanding restrictions.

Colorado

For adult or medical use, anyone over the age of 21 in Colorado is allowed to grow up to six cannabis plants, but they are only allowed to have three mature plants at any given time. Patients who use medical marijuana may request additional growth. A carer can raise to 36 plants to care for up to five patients if they have more than one patient.

Hawaii

Up to 10 cannabis plants may be grown for personal use by medicinal marijuana patients in Hawaii in a single residence. However, before growing their plants, patients must register with the authorities as a cultivator.

Illinois

Illinois allows medicinal marijuana users and those who care for them to grow up to five cannabis plants at once for personal use. Recreational cultivation is prohibited, and cultivating five or fewer plants is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine.

Maine

Adults in Maine are permitted to grow up to six mature cannabis plants for recreational or medical purposes, with a maximum of 12 immature plants or six mature plants per residence.

Maryland

Adults in Maryland who are 21 years old and older are permitted to have two plants in one home. Medical patients are permitted to grow a total of four plants in one household, but no more than two more plants.

Massachusetts

Adults 21 and older in Massachusetts are permitted to grow up to six cannabis plants for either medical or recreational use. Regardless of the total number of adults over the age of 21, the state permits up to 12 plants per residence.

Michigan

In Michigan, those 21 and older are permitted to cultivate up to 12 plants indoors. Up to 60 plants, or 12 per patient, can be grown by carers who care for up to five patients.

Minnesota

Adults in Minnesota who are 21 years of age and older are permitted to grow up to eight plants in a single home as long as no more than four of them are mature.

Montana

For therapeutic purposes, Montanans are allowed to simultaneously grow up to 12 seedlings or four mature cannabis plants inside. Eight mature plants and eight seedlings may be grown by two medicinal marijuana patients who share a residence. The Montana Department of Public Health must be informed of the locations of all adult patients' home gardens.

Nevada

Adults in Nevada who live more than 25 miles from a licensed dispensary are allowed to cultivate up to six plants for themselves or twelve for the entire family for recreational use with the permission of the property owner.

Only those using medical marijuana who live more than 25 miles from the nearest dispensary and are unable to travel may cultivate marijuana at home. Before July 1, 2013, patients who grew plants at home were still permitted to do so.

New Mexico

In New Mexico, licensed medical marijuana users and those who are caring for them are permitted to legally cultivate up to 16 cannabis plants, only four of which will ever reach maturity.

New York

At their residence, New York-certified medical marijuana patients who are at least 21 years old may grow up to six cannabis plants (three female immature plants and three mature female plants), but solely for personal use.

The same amount of mature and immature cannabis can be grown for a patient's use by designated carers who are 21 or older and caring for a certified patient. Up to six plants may be grown for each patient by the authorized carer, but at no point, they can cultivate more than 12 plants.

A licensed patient or carer may keep up to five pounds of trimmed cannabis in their home.

Oklahoma

Medical marijuana users in Oklahoma are permitted to cultivate up to six mature cannabis plants and six seedlings in their homes.

Oregon

Growing up to four cannabis plants for personal use, whether recreationally or medicinally, is permitted in Oregon for people 21 and older. Up to eight cannabis plants may be grown by carers, but only six will ever reach maturity.

Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, medical cannabis users and their carers are permitted to grow up to 12 plants and seedlings inside.

Vermont

Adults in Vermont are allowed to grow a total of nine cannabis plants simultaneously, with no more than two of those plants allowed to mature at once.

Virginia

Adults in Virginia who are at least 21 years old are allowed to grow up to four plants per residence, not per individual, provided they follow certain rules.

Washington

Patients in Washington who are using medical marijuana may cultivate up to four plants with a doctor's authorization but without a card. With a current state-issued medical marijuana card, the limit rises to six plants, although residents can cultivate up to 15 plants with a doctor's permission.

Washington, D.C.

Adults over the age of 21 in Washington, D.C., are allowed to grow a total of six cannabis plants for recreational purposes, with three mature plants and three seedlings. If more than one adult resides in the same home, no more than 12 plants are permitted. Patients who use medical marijuana are not allowed to legally grow their cannabis.

Reasons to Grow Your Marijuana at Home

A medicinal marijuana user or an adult user may opt to grow cannabis for several reasons.

First of all, a home grower is fully aware of the contents of their cannabis, how it was raised, the nutrients it received, and the details of the curing procedure. Since you can monitor every aspect of the production process when you produce your cannabis at home, there is no doubt about its quality.

The option to grow marijuana at home has advantages for both recreational users and medical marijuana patients who live far from the closest dispensary. Home growing takes a long time, but it avoids the need to travel far, especially when doing so could be difficult or burdensome for medical users.

How To Grow Cannabis Plants At Home?

There are several things to think about while raising your plants when growing cannabis indoors.

You can grow your plant indoors or outdoors, depending on the conditions in your home. However, the majority of jurisdictions mandate that cannabis plants be hidden from view, which can affect your choice of growing setting.

Cannabis clones are plants that have been grown from cuttings or seeds from an established plant. Around 50 to 60 days are needed for cannabis plants to achieve full maturity and be ready for harvest, and then another 10 to 14 days are needed for drying and curing before consumption.

How To Get A Cannabis Cultivation/Growers' License?

Home production rules prohibit cannabis users from cultivating a small number of plants under stringent guidelines and are frequently implemented to enable individuals to grow only what they require for personal use. You must apply for a commercial cultivation license if you want to grow cannabis for profit on a large scale or if you want to grow it to sell to state-licensed dispensaries.

A separate government agency, like California's Bureau of Cannabis Control, oversees cannabis regulation in most states where sales for adult use are permitted. In other states, the Department of Health or another comparable government agency handles cannabis licensing. Contact the relevant authorities in your state if you need a license.

Conclusion

Cannabis farming at home has many benefits and can be profitable. It's crucial to be aware of and compliant with local rules since just because your state has a medical marijuana program doesn't imply you can cultivate as much cannabis as you want.