The South African market is an evolving and complicated one. With a constantly increasing demand for cannabis products, and an ever improving cannabis culture, there is an attraction to cultivating your own marijuana, in the privacy of your own home. There is an inconsistency of quality and reliable supply available, which is motivating people to grow their own.
Where do I start? How do I grow Cannabis? Is it Legal?
These are just some of the questions that we get asked on the daily, and have formulated this guide to help get you on your way.
Firstly, like any new hobby or goal, you have to ask yourself: What do I want to achieve? This is different for everyone, and allows you to set a clear goal for what you would like to do, making the beginning of your journey an easy one. For example, "I would like to grow enough high quality indoor bud, to be able to supplement my consumption enough so that I don't have to buy cannabis anymore".
Or, "I want to find the perfect strain".
Or, "I want to grow cannabis in my garden once a year".
Secondly, with all goals, come the need for resources. Whether this be time, money, space, experience etc. These resources limit our ability to reach our goals, but allow us to adjust them in order to achieve a more 'realistic' goal. For example: "I would like to grow enough indoor to supplement my own smoking habits, but I don't have enough money to purchase 2 grow lights, only 1". Then you can adjust your goal to grow under one light, until you build up the capital to upgrade your system.
It is important to understand that the trade of Cannabis is illegal. Clearly laid out in the Cannabis for Private Purpose Act, 2024, so if you aim to cultivate for the purpose of 'conducting business', we cannot advise you, but what's important to understand is that there currently exists no limitations on cultivation, and it is stated in the Act that the minister must set provisions to set clear limits to
- Cultivation
- Possession
- Transportation
- Donation
As it stands, the trade of Cannabis is defined as the exchange of Cannabis for any form of remuneration, whether it be financial or non financial payment. We advise you to familiarise yourself with the act to understand the ins and outs of Cannabis legalities in South Africa.
You can also follow Fields Of Green For All to keep up to date with Cannabis legislation, culture and awareness in South Africa.
With that being said, back to Cannabis Cultivation!
There are many factors to consider when it comes to growing. The first factors you face include:
- Genetics
- Lighting
- Substrate
- Where to grow? (Greenhouse, Indoor, Outdoor)
- Fertilizer
- Autoflowering Vs Photoperiod
- Environment (Temperature, Humidity, Co2)
We dive into the above factors in PART 2 of our grow guide series!
