Growing Weed in DC - Specific Things You Must Know
Much to the delight of cannabis enthusiasts living in (and visiting) the nation’s capital, the weed market in DC expanded to include recreational weed in 2014.
While you can now enjoy your favorite strains in many forms, there are plenty of people wondering: can you grow weed in DC, and, if so, how many plants can you grow in DC?
If you have a bit of a green thumb and enjoy tending to plants, the thought of growing weed in DC can be an enticing one.
There’s something extra special about using buds you’ve taken care of from seed to flower.
In this article, you’ll learn what you need to know about growing pot plants in DC, including how many you can have and where you can grow them.
Can You Grow Weed in DC? – 2021
Can you grow weed in DC? The short answer is yes!
Initiative 71, the 2014 initiative that allows for the possession and use of recreational marijuana by adults 21 and older, also has provisions for growing weed in DC.
However, the rules for growing are a little complicated.
On top of making sure you’re growing your marijuana plants correctly, growing in DC comes with its own set of challenges.
It’s entirely possible, though, and definitely worth trying if you’re interested.
However, should you find that you can’t do it (either legally or successfully), Gifted Curators has your back. With a selection of the highest quality buds and other weed products, you’ll never have to worry about running out of your favorite items.
Just because growing your favorite strains at home might be complicated or challenging, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a go.
When you’re able to grow weed successfully, it’s all worth the effort. However, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.
Growing Weed in Washington DC – Rules
As mentioned earlier, you need to be at least 21 years old. You should note that, even if you are of age, you may still not be able to grow weed in your home.
According to the rules, you can’t legally grow weed in DC if you live within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare, youth center, swimming pool, library, or other public building. So, unfortunately, your address alone may dictate whether or not you can grow your own weed plants.
If you’re safely away from these places, you’re good to grow, so long as you keep the following additional rules in mind.
How Many Plants Can You Grow in DC?
If you live on your own, you can only have a maximum of six plants. What’s more, only three of them can be mature at a given time.
What if you live with another adult over 21 who also enjoys using weed? Here’s a piece of good news: you can grow more plants!
If you’re living with one or more adults, you can grow up to twelve marijuana plants.
Additionally, up to six of them can be mature at one time.
Now, that doesn’t mean that the more people you live with, the more you can grow. Twelve plants is the max if there are two or more adults under the same roof.
Can You Grow Marijuana Outside in DC?
If you have a garden already outside your home, you may be wondering if you can grow weed outdoors, too.
Technically, you can. However, you can only do so on property that you own. You can’t grow weed on government land or land that you don’t own.
You’ll also want to remember that while DC allows for having, using, and even growing it, weed is still illegal on the federal level.
If you choose to grow it outside, you’ll want to keep it out of the view of anyone passing by. In other words, you might not want to put it in your front garden, where it may be in plain view. Even planting it in your backyard can be risky, especially if your neighbors aren’t chill.
Another factor that could affect your weed growing success is the weather. DC’s growing season is, sadly, a bit short. Weed can also be a bit fickle. It needs the perfect conditions to produce the best buds.
So, in short, you can grow weed outside in DC. However, you may find it to be safer (and more successful) indoors.
Can You Grow Pot in Your DC Apartment?
The rules above have applied mainly to those who own their homes. What if you rent an apartment or house, though?
Even if you’re of age and more than 1,000 feet away from public buildings like schools and libraries, your ability to grow pot in your DC apartment legally rests in the hands of your landlord.
Just as landlords can prohibit pets on their property, they can also say no weed. That can include using and growing it. It doesn’t matter that you pay rent. The property belongs to the landlord, which means, unfortunately, they have the final say.
That applies to people who grow weed for medical use, too. You’ll also want to avoid assuming you can grow pot in your DC apartment if there’s nothing about it in the lease. Make sure you check with your landlord first.
What to Know About Growing Weed in DC - Tips
Now that you know the answer to how many plants you can grow in DC (six to twelve, depending on if you live alone or with another adult), you’re almost ready to get started.
Before you plant your first seeds, though, here are a few additional tips for growing success and keeping things legal.
What to Know About Growing Weed in DC — Tips
If you plan to grow weed in your house, you’ll need a grow light. The added electricity could mean higher bills, especially during the summer months.
To help keep your costs down, plan for your plants to flower during the fall and winter months, when your energy costs are likely to be lower.
You can also save a bit of money by choosing LED lights. They run a bit cooler, which means you won’t have to run your AC as much during the months when you might need it.
You also have to choose between growing in soil or creating a hydroponic setup. If you’re new to growing weed in DC, you may find soil to be the easier route.
However, hydroponic growing is typically much more efficient and allows for greater yields. It does take a bit more effort to get right, though.
No matter what type of growing setup you choose, you’ll want to make sure that you have sufficient room.
Can You Grow Marijuana for Money?
If you end up with more buds than you’ll possibly be able to use, you may be wondering if you can sell off your excess weed.
Much like a lot of other rules around marijuana in DC, it’s complicated.
You can work for a cannabis growing company that works under the gifting system or a company that’s licensed to sell weed in the medical system.
However, you can’t sell the buds you’ve grown at home. The current rules state that selling weed is illegal. Getting caught could result in a prison sentence of up to six months or a fine of up to $1,000.
In some cases, you could face both, and that’s for a first offense. The penalties get harsher for repeat offenders.
You might be disheartened to learn you can’t earn extra cash selling the buds you worked so hard to grow. Despite the regulations (and the six plant maximum), growing weed in DC at home is a great way to save some extra money.
Bottom Line
Thanks to Initiative 71, growing weed in DC is legal.
For those who enjoy growing plants and want to try their hand at home cultivation, this is fantastic news.
However, that doesn’t mean you have free reign to grow however you please. The above list should be enough to get you started growing weed legally in Washington, DC!
