7 Must-Read Rules for How to Grow Weed [And Not Get Caught…]

The idea of having a cannabis garden where you grow the plant sounds extremely alluring and exciting. If you have done your research, you’ll know that growing weed isn’t an easy process. It requires specialist knowledge and a lot of patience. You should also know that secrecy is of the utmost importance.

Even if you live in a state where it is legal to grow marijuana, it is always best not to attract attention. Cannabis is federally illegal. There is always a (slight) chance that the Feds come banging on your door one day.

Even if you live in a state where it is legal to grow marijuana, it is always best not to attract attention.

If you live in a place where it is illegal, you have a lot to lose. We’re talking years in prison and a fine that will cripple you financially. As such, you have to take precautions. This guide will outline the Seven Commandments for growing marijuana while making sure you don’t get caught!

However, we must stress that WayofLeaf takes no responsibility if you decide to embark on illegal activity. Remember, there are limits to how much you can cultivate in states where it is legal.

Rule #1 – Thou Shall STFU!

You may think that your friend or neighbor is somewhat trustworthy. However, it is a bad idea to tell them about your weed garden. Do you know what the #1 reason for being caught is? It isn’t for growing your weed outdoors where special federal drone cameras can see it. It is because too many people find out. Word spreads, and you’re the one facing a court date.

The only person you should divulge any cannabis growing information with is anyone who is growing with you. Otherwise, loose lips sink ships. Imagine you tell your neighbor but then get into an argument. All that needs to happen is for him to start talking about your weed garden or contact the police. The next thing you know, half the surrounding area knows about your exploits. If you don’t get arrested, your crop will mysteriously go ‘missing.’

Rule #2 – Thou Shalt Exercise Discretion with Online Purchases

Even a bad detective will catch you if you insist on sending your seeds to where you intend to grow. The problem is that most growers have little or no option. So, what’s a weed baron to do? Make sure you only use merchants that offer a ‘stealth shipping’ option. It is kind of like using the Incognito Tab on your computer when you want to do some private browsing.

It will cost you extra, but it’s well worth it. These companies also offer a reshipping guarantee if you don’t get the seeds. The best companies package the seeds so well that the Post Office fails to see them even if they open the parcel.

Rule #3 – Thou Shalt Control the Pungent Odor & Telltale Noises

In case you didn’t know, a cannabis garden emits one hell of a scent. It doesn’t even matter if your sinuses are blocked because of the flu from hell. Marijuana’s peculiar odor will make its way to your senses. Aside from a neighbor’s big mouth, the smell of the crop is probably the biggest reason for getting caught.

If you elect to grow cannabis indoors, make sure you do so in a sealed space. If the odor gets out, your neighbors will alert the authorities. If you use HPS bulbs, use an exhaust fan with a carbon filter. It filters the scent and ensures that only filtered and clean air gets outside. As a bonus, it keeps the temperature in the room to a reasonable level. If you’re growing outdoors, make sure you account for wind direction.

It is also a fact that some strains are a lot smellier than others. We would recommend growing Ice, Blue Mystic, or Northern Lights. None of this trio smells like ‘typical’ weed. It is also important to remember that the smell gets a lot more intense at harvest time.

Bear in mind that bright grow lights will give the game away. Use blackout curtains or fabric that blocks the light on your windows. When growing indoors, water pumps and exhaust fans emit the most noise. There isn’t much you can do other than invest in ‘quiet’ fans so that your neighbors don’t complain or suspect. It is less of a problem if you have no neighbors nearby.

Rule #4 – Thou Shalt Be Wary of Nosy Neighbors

The era of ‘love thy neighbor’ and ‘neighborhood watch’ is sadly over in many towns and cities. These days, people tend to watch you rather than watching out for you. As a result, you have to be careful about who and what comes into your house or grow area. This is especially the case if they are in the same location.

For example, Rita the Recluse has nothing to do other than watch her 32 cats each day. In between meals and scooping kitty litter, she may happen to spot you bringing significant amounts of pots, nutrients, and soil into your house. There’s not much you can do to avoid being spotted barring digging a tunnel beneath your home. A more natural alternative is to grow companion plants, fruit, and vegetables as ‘cover.’

Rule #5 – Thou Shalt Ban House Guests

It is impractical to live a Howard Hughes-like existence while waiting for the weed to harvest. However, you must lock your grow room at the very least. In what is the same principle as rule #1. You can’t allow anyone to access the marijuana site, nor can they know it is even there. It will make life a little awkward for a while, especially if you’re a social person.

However, one possible alternative is a lengthy spell in prison. Therefore, it is time to become Harry the Hermit for a while. If your grow site is away from your property, invite whoever you like. However, don’t leave growing supplies lying around unless you’re ready to answer some awkward questions.

Rule #6 – Thou Shalt Learn Strategic Growing & Harvesting

If it is your first time trying to grow marijuana, we recommend doing it on a small scale. The obvious reason is to reduce the likelihood of your secret getting out. Also, it is pretty easy to grow a couple of plants in a small grow-box. Some people construct a box from a dresser while others convert a mini-fridge.

They are both excellent options, but a mini-fridge does a great job of disguising the smell. If you do it right, you could even keep the fridge in your room under lock and key.

At harvest time, it is best if you have the house to yourself. If you have housemates, calculate the likely length of time for your weed to grow. You need to know when harvest time is. Make sure you harvest when they are away. Otherwise, you will have to scout a safe place to dry and cure your herbs. Once this process is complete, store the finished product in an airtight mason jar.

Rule #7 – Thou Shalt Understand Electrical Safety & Technology

Growing marijuana isn’t a dangerous pastime when you follow basic safety rules. However, it becomes a problem for idiots. Don’t be an idiot! There are plenty of examples where foolish growers have destroyed their crop, and their home, in an electrical fire. The most obvious tip here is to purchase high-quality equipment because cheap electrics are a recipe for disaster.

Ensure all water and other liquids are at a level below waist-height and that all electrical equipment is above waist-height. Clean up any spilled liquids immediately and invest in a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. A GFCI interrupts the power when it senses a problem with your electrical flow.

It is all too easy to overload your circuits when growing weed. Make sure you know how much your circuits can handle and stay well below the limit. Most indoor growers will do fine with one 600w HPS light.

The improvements in technology make it easier to find tools and equipment for growing weed. However, you also have to cover your tracks. It is worth using proxies as they trick websites into thinking you’re in a different location. Some search engines don’t track information, so don’t use Google to search for ‘marijuana growing tools.’

Final Thoughts on Growing Weed in a Clandestine Manner

Unfortunately, growing marijuana in the United States is a legal minefield. The plant is legal for recreational use in 15 states plus D.C, and medicinal purposes in 20 more states. However, some states will take years to implement these programs.

Also, it is federally illegal and will remain so for the foreseeable future. As a result, we urge you to check out your state’s marijuana use and growing laws.

For example, if you live in California, you can “cultivate, possess, plant, harvest, dry or process” a maximum of six live plants. You can also possess the “produce of the plants.” However, local governments are allowed to “impose reasonable restrictions on cultivation,” so you could still get in trouble. Not every county in the Golden State permits the sale, growth, or possession of marijuana.

Hopefully, you understand the importance of secrecy when growing weed.

If you live somewhere like Alabama, you had better not get caught! Possession of any amount of cannabis for personal use is classified as a misdemeanor. It carries a possible punishment of a year in prison plus a $6,000 fine.

Basic cultivation of weed is classified as Manufacture in the Second Degree, which is a felony. In theory, getting caught growing marijuana in Alabama could result in a 20-year prison term plus a fine of $30,000.

Hopefully, you understand the importance of secrecy when growing weed. It is the key to growing, harvesting, drying, curing, and enjoying, without being discovered. Once again, however, we have to outline that you break the law at your own risk. We take no responsibility for anyone caught illegally cultivating marijuana.