This is a state-by-state guide to current home grow laws in America.
There’s no one answer to the question, “Can I grow weed at home?” in the United States. The patchwork of laws changes from state to state, leaving home horticulturists to hunt for answers — until now. Only states that have given residents the right to grow cannabis are included in this guide. Some states have implemented medical cannabis programs without extending home growing rights – and are thus not included. Each entry has links to official state programs that go into further detail.
So whether you have one small space utilizing grow lights or a large outdoor area with good quality soil to work with, this is the best place to start to answer the question “Can I grow weed at home?”
Alaska
As a state with legalized recreational cannabis, the biggest state allows people age twenty-one and older to grow cannabis — with certain restrictions.
Alaska allows each person to grow six plants at a time, but forbids more than twelve plants growing in any one household.
Here’s the tricky part: Only three plants can be mature or flowering at any one time. For multiple grower residences, that number is six.
Arizona
Medical cannabis patients or their caregivers may grow cannabis for individual, medical consumption in Arizona.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that growers must live at least twenty-five miles away from the nearest medical cannabis dispensary, obtain a license from the state (for a fee, naturally), and cultivate their plants in an enclosed and lock area that is not readily visible to the public.
The state also limits the number of plants that can be cultivated at each home grow operation to six.
California
Sweet-soiled California allows anyone older than twenty-one to grow up to six cannabis plants for recreational use on the condition that it not be sold.
The state also allows any medical cannabis patient or caregivers to dedicate one hundred square feet toward growing medical cannabis for individual consumption. There is no limit on the number of cannabis plants you can grow within the one hundred square feet.
However, there are restrictions. People can’t grow plants in areas that are visible from the street or public walkway. It cannot be grown inside a residential structure, and must be confined to an additional building, such as a shed or greenhouse.
Colorado
Residents may grow up to six cannabis plants for recreational use (or twelve for houses with more than one adult), although only half can be flowering at any one time.
Medical caregivers, however, have more leniency. They may grow thirty-six plants for as many as five patients.
All plants must be grown in enclosed, locked spaces that cannot be viewed publicly.
Hawaii
Hawai’i residents can grow up to six cannabis plants, as long as only three are mature at any one time, for recreational consumption.
Medical patients or caregivers with a 329 card can grow up to ten flowering plants and can hold up to four ounces of consumable cannabis in their possession at a time.
Illinois
The new laws in Illinois that went into effect at the start of 2020 allows only medical cannabis patients to cultivate plants.
Residents who wonder, “Can I grow weed at home in Illinois?” can grow up to five plants at a time.
Maine
Residents of Maine over twenty-one may grow up to six flowering plants at a time. The plants must be out of sight of the public.
The state also recommends that growers tag their plants with a label that includes their name, state identification number or driver’s license number. Residents can legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis at a time.
Massachusetts
Each household in Massachusetts can grow as many as six cannabis plants — or up to twelve if more than one person living there is over twenty-one years old.
The plants must not be visible from the street. If residents have more than a single ounce of cannabis in their homes, they must keep any amount above that ounce locked up.
Michigan
Michiganders over the age of twenty-one can grow up to twelve plants in a private, enclosed area that is not visible from the street.
Michigan allows residents to carry up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and keep up to ten ounces at home.
Missouri
After paying a fee and registering with the state, medical cannabis patients in Missouri may grow up to six mature, flowering, cannabis plants.
The plants must grow in a secure, enclosed area, and patients cannot possess more than four ounces at a time.
Montana
Registered medical cannabis cardholders may grow up to four mature, flowering, plants in Montana.
If two cardholders live together, they can grow up to eight plants — including seedlings — on their property. Before growing, patients must report the location of the growth operations to the state’s public health department.
The possession limit is one ounce of cannabis, eight grams of concentrate and eight vape cartridges.
Nevada
People over age twenty-one and living more than twenty-five miles away from a recreational dispensary are allowed to grow up to six cannabis plants in Nevada. That number can double if more than one adult is living in the household.
Each cannabis plant must stay in an enclosed, locked, and secure location. Renters must have the permission of the property owner before starting cultivation.
New Hampshire
Only medical cannabis cardholders and their caregivers may grow cannabis plants in New Hampshire. The state limits each patient to six total plants, as long as only three are fully mature at any time.
The plants must stay securely locked in a space away from public view.
New Mexico
Lucky New Mexico residents who have a medical cannabis card may grow up to sixteen cannabis plants at their homes — as long as no more than four are flowering at the same time.
The same goes for caregivers.
Oregon
Oregon residents who wonder “Can I grow weed at home?” should be pleased to know that any older than twenty-one may cultivate up to eight cannabis plants at home for personal, recreational use. However, only six can be mature at any one time.
Caregivers for medical cannabis cardholders may grow up to six plants for every patient they have (as long as they have eight or fewer.)
Rhode Island
Medical cannabis patients can grow up to twelve mature cannabis plants and twelve seedlings in cannabis. That number doubles if two qualifying adults live in the same household.
The same rules apply for registered caregivers. All plants must grow indoors. Further, you must register the premises with the state’s department of business regulation.
Vermont
The Green Mountain state allows residents to grow up to nine cannabis plants for personal consumption, although only two can be mature at a time.
Washington State
Washington allows only registered medical cannabis cardholders and caregivers to grow their own cannabis. Growers must register with the state’s patient database to be allowed to grow up to six cannabis plants.
Washington, D.C.
Adults over twenty-one years of age may grow up to six cannabis plants for personal consumption in the District of Columbia. That number doubles if more than one adult lives in a household. In either case, the law stipulates that only half the plants can be mature at any one time.
The question, “Can I grow weed at home?” has a lot of answers, depending on where you live. Before beginning on any home grow project, be sure to check out the state links. The rules are subject to change at any time.
Good luck and happy growing!
