Many articles profess that gardening has therapeutic benefits, such as this one on Psychology Today. As with any hobby, your skills better as time progresses, and you become more comfortable with what you’re doing – knowing when to plant what shrubs can have your green-fingered masterpiece winning awards.

The principle is the same when it comes to growing your marijuana. The first thing to do is to ensure that the state you live in has followed in the footsteps of these six countries and allowed legal recreational or medical use of marijuana. If you’re not sure what your resident state’s stance is, this list is a handy reference. You wouldn’t want to end up with a criminal record, now would you?

Are All Types of Marijuana the Same?

There are various strains of marijuana available. There are different camps as far as effects being the same or not. One article used for research compared the relaxing effect you get from drinking a glass of red wine versus the buzz you get after a glass of bubbly. The same norm applies to marijuana.

What Strain to Plant?

That is something we can’t answer. As with any form of gardening, you’re going to have to see what grows and what doesn’t. Soil types, rainfall, root pH, and humidity levels, among others, will play a role in deciding what strain to cultivate.

The best advice we can give is to research the different seed types available, namely auto-flowering, and feminized and take it from there. You should always purchase your seeds from a reputable grower. If you’re a newbie, then by doing so,  you will also receive sound advice on the horticulture process and support choosing the right growth kit like this one from an established brand. 

I Don’t Just Want Marijuana Plants.

If you’re a keen therapeutic gardener, then you’re going to want to keep your medicinal plants safe, but still, enjoy the beauty other plants have to offer. Why not consider companion plants that will aid the growth of your medicinal marijuana? Some plants repel parasites and others that improve soil quality.

Is Marijuana Beneficial?

Extensive research has been done on the medical benefits of marijuana use. As with conventional medicine, there are some identified risks, but the advantages of using it as an alternative form of illness therapy are many.

This article by Health Europa lists twenty medical ailments that marijuana assists with, and this one by Herbonaut contains a whopping sixty-one! Both pieces have scientific reasons to support the cause.

Don’t Want to Plant, but Buy?

If you reside in one of these states, you’ll be able to legally purchase marijuana for recreational or medicinal use from a government-regulated marijuana dispensary, each with their own state laws. 

• Washington
• Oregon
• California
• Colorado
• Nevada
• Arizona
• New Mexico
• Illinois
• Michigan
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• New York
• Rhode Island 
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Washington, D.C.

 It’s Not a “Gateway Drug”…

Many marijuana advocates used this line when campaigning to get the drug legalized. The fact is that even if you’re growing or legally purchasing marijuana for recreational use, the risk of dependence or addiction is genuine. Marijuana is a drug, just like morphine. When misused, it will have adverse effects. If you or someone you care about may have a compulsive marijuana habit that is affecting their day-to-day life, help them get help.

In short, there are various options available if you want to begin growing (or purchasing) marijuana for both recreational and medical benefits. Hopefully, this article has given you some insight into how to go about it in the best legitimate way.