Cultivation of Cannabis is both simple and complex. Growing a consistent supply of medical-grade Cannabis requires patience, trial and error, and careful observation. Outdoor and indoor cultivation also require different (though similar) skills. Throwing a seed into dirt will likely result in a plant, but the quality of medical-grade Cannabis will not be adequate unless the grower has some basic knowledge of horticulture. This knowledge must be coordinated with the flowering limits written into the OMMA.

Cultivation of one’s own medicine flies in the face of the established medical model in the United States. Patients must not only bring energy and commitment to the process of safely growing an adequate supply of Cannabis, but they must often do so with disapproval or obstruction of the doctor. These considerations must be evaluated along with the physical limitations of the patient and the space available. Patients should carefully consider all these issues before committing to cultivation.

Seed Germination

Germinating seeds is easy. Start by soaking the seeds for 12 hours in either clean water or dilute “Start up” fertilizer. The seed will expand and begin to sprout quickly if it is viable. If the seeds are old or unhealthy they will sprout poorly if at all. After soaking, plant the seed in potting soil or seed starting mix, which is purchased at the gardening center. Place the seed pointed end up about 1/8-inch deep. Keep it moist, not soaked, by covering the container with plastic wrap. Keep the container warm and don’t dig or move the seed to check it. In 3-6 days most healthy seeds will sprout by sending out a single root. Be careful at this time not to disturb the delicate root, which is going through rapid growth. Fertilize the sprouted seedling with dilute start up fertilizer after the first two round leaves (cotyledons) have emerged. This should be about a week after sprouting. Once serrated leaves have opened and photosynthesis is occurring, place the container under lights. Gradually lengthen the light intensity over a week until the plant is established and growing “true” leaves.

Harvesting, drying and curing

Flowers can be cut off the plant individually or the entire plant can be uprooted. For indoor growers the plant can be regenerated. Cut flowers clusters off the plant and carefully trim off leaves. Handle the flowers carefully so that trichomes, resin sacks aren’t dislodged.

Hang the harvested flowers upside down on a line or string in a dark cool place with lots of air circulation. Observe the clusters for mold or rotting, since they are tightly packed with little air inside. Care must be taken to keep good air circulation. Dry for 4 days until the stems snap and break when bent. Then the flowers should be put into a plastic sack or glass jar for another month to cure. Curing allows a chemical reaction to take place that makes the plant much less harsh to smoke and increases potency. Remove any flower that appear soggy and continue to dry. After a month the flowers should be dry, whole, fresh smelling and without any mold or contaminants.