The pros and cons of growing your own cannabis
Once it became legal in Canada for residents to grow up to four plants per household, many assumed there would be cannabis plants popping up everywhere, from balconies and closets to backyards and basements, but that isn’t at all what happened.
Sure there are far more people dabbling in home cultivation than ever before, or at least it might seem that way now that people don’t feel as much need to hide their hobby from view. Still, for the most part, it’s the same people doing the same thing they always did only with slightly less discretion.
Now, you may be wondering why that is, since cannabis store prices can take a pretty chunk out of any budget and growing seems like a surefire way to get some product for free, but the reality is as much as there are many benefits to growing you own, there are also several downsides to consider.
Here we get down to the nitty-gritty of both the pros and cons of cultivating cannabis at home which should make it easier to decide whether or not the practice might be good for you.
Pros
Here we take a look at some of the reasons why so many people choose to grow their own cannabis.
Control over quality – Much like the food you eat, it’s never a bad thing to know what is in your cannabis. Perhaps you’re someone who is comfortable with a little bit of chemical control for things like pesticides or nutrients. Or maybe you’d rest easier knowing that your stash consists of 100% organically grown cannabis. Either way, you get to decide, and then the end results are almost certain to give you a sense of pride and accomplishment.
It saves money – Even if you’re an inexperienced grower who doesn’t end up with the biggest buds, higher potency, or a hearty yield, what you do end up harvesting is going to save you money in the long run, and that’s excellent news at a time when so many people are financially limited.
Strain selection – Dispensaries do a fairly good job of carrying a good selection of cannabis strains to choose from, but there is no denying how many other options are out there, and not sitting on a shelf somewhere for sale. If you’re after a particular strain, certain features, exotic genetics, or a specific terpene profile then growing your own plants is the only way to guarantee you’ll have some of it available.
It’s fun – When you don’t have a whole lot of experience with cultivation, the process can at times be stressful, but the journey is one that’s full of excitement and anticipation, and you’ll learn a fair amount about the plant along the way which is sure to strengthen your relationship with cannabis.
Cons
Despite so many benefits, there are some drawbacks to consider before you take up the challenge of growing your own weed at home and these are some of the main reasons so many enthusiasts choose not to.
Space – Not everyone has a nice-sized yard, a room, or even a small area in their home to dedicate to growing cannabis, and it does take up a fair amount of space.
Security – This is one of the biggest concerns for outdoor growers as it’s nearly impossible to guarantee a garden's safety. Be it thieves, or wandering wild animals, these plants are always at risk.
Time – Growing cannabis is relatively easy, especially if you’re equipped with all of the proper tools like lighting, nutrient-rich soil, pots, and high-quality seeds, but this isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it type of plant. These babies are going to need constant monitoring, feeding, and watering, which can be time-consuming. So if you’re someone who leaves home on a regular basis for any more than a day at a time, cultivation might not be a worthwhile investment.
Money – Yes, growing your own plants should technically save you money in the long run. However, if you’re going to do it indoors, and are aiming to produce high-quality crops, the investment can be hefty upfront. Just lights and a good grow tent can cost hundreds of dollars, and for many enthusiasts, that’s just too much cash to dish out all at once.
Only you can decide whether or not growing cannabis at home is the right choice.
