Growing safely
Thursday, August 27th, 2009(This is a guest blog by “Other Guy,” a medical cannabis patient-cultivator in California.)
Blog. Never liked that word. And this is my first, so please bear with me. I will discuss the both the challenges and rewards of cultivating medicinal cannabis for yourself and other collective members. I intend to educate cultivators, not scare those considering growing.
While I’ll discover the specifics of the subjects that will be covered later, I’d like to begin with an overview of the legal logistics involved with cultivation, as they should always be realistically considered before a putting one’s self at risk of having their home raided, dog shot, being prosecuted, and incarcerated.
In California, considered the most progressive state in regard to medical marijuana, significant protection has been established for those who smoke with the recommendation of a doctor. Cannabis dispensaries have also become not only tolerated, but common, in certain cities within the state. So, while those who consume the medical cannabis and the dispensaries that serve them have been subject to less and less torment by local law enforcement, there is still very little protection for members of a collective who grow cannabis for other members. Which is supposed to be the way the medicine arrives at the collective, according to California law. Because obviously, within a collective there will be “growing members” and “non-growing members.”
By requiring very low plant numbers and other limitations, the interpretation of medical marijuana (MMJ) cultivation by police and local courts throughout the states which have passed medical marijuana MMJ legislation has been often strict and severe. It’s important to note that regardless if there is a case brought against a busted grower or not, the police will likely seize the plants, equipment, and money, intimidating the individual enough to not grow at that location again. In one city, growing 50 plants could mean being convicted of felonies, going to jail, having 5 years probation, and registering as a narcotics offender, even if it’s your first offense. In another town or even local court district, the same offense may result in no prosecution. This is very confusing, and makes gauging the amount of risk you’re taking difficult. (Continued after the jump)
