Growing Marijuana in Illinois and What You Need to Know
Illinois had a brand new year celebration as marijuana is now legal across Illinois, and this has directly influenced the number of growers too. Whether you are planning to grow recreational marijuana or medicinal weed, there are separate methods for the same.
Nearly, 21 units in Illinois are growing and selling marijuana and seeing a rise in the buyers like anything. From the time the weed started becoming available to the public, the demand has been tremendous in Chicago and the rest of Illinois. However, not many realize that growing marijuana and processing it before selling takes a few months. When Gov. J.B.Pritzkersigned the legalization bill to make weed legal, he also created a market with high business returns.
Buyers have to be adults 21 or more years of age and can only buy up to 5 grams of concentrate or 500 milligrams of infused products, including edibles. You may otherwise buy up to 30 grams of the flower of weed. Does that mean you can grow at home just like your carrots and tomatoes? Certainly not! The state has put forth a list of dos and don’ts on growing and usage of the weed.
Legalities in Growing Marijuana
The Department of Health website lists the qualifying medical conditions for which you may grow marijuana. In case you have any of these conditions, you can apply online or go to a dispensary and get cannabis. In case the patient is under-age, he can get cannabis infusion only by his guardian or parent. Get a cannabis card after applying for it online at the DPH website, and pay a fee for the same. However, you can grow only 5plants.
This said, even consumption of the weed by patients is under strict rules. You cannot administer weed or smoke weed in public places. Nevertheless, a patient with one of the diseases or conditions listed in the official site might take it in closed rooms or in exclusive tobacco bars where they allow it.
Growing Weed and it’s Nitty Gritties
Special weed-growing facilities are available through Chicago, Rock Island, and Joliet. These produce weed complying with the laws of Illinois. Most of the plants in these facilities are clones of the main mother plant that the growers have grafted off. Using these cuttings and some dirt, they plant them in glasshouses in undisclosed locations. These plants receive light and the temperature to ensure the plant grows through the year.
Safety and Sanitation
While the facility workers have to wear protective gear, cover their hair, and face, they also need to walk through anti-bacterial solutions before beginning their work. All of these measures are to ensure the plants don’t get any contamination. As the plants near the time of harvest, their buds start emitting a pungent odor. Whether you are in Chicago or anywhere else in Illinois, go through the laws and the penalties before going for medicinal or recreational weed.
By whorehay Navarro
THE CHICAGO PLUG 