Can You Grow Hemp At Home?

With the new rise of the hemp industry, many have asked if they can grow hemp at home. Though the idea of having a personal hemp garden is tempting, there are a few things one must understand before growing hemp for personal use.

Can You Grow Hemp at Home?

Unfortunately, legal hemp does not equal legal hemp cultivation for just anyone. There is a myriad of regulations in place which require hemp cultivators to register with their states and meet strict cultivation standards.

To be clear, the 2018 Farm Bill legalized the cultivation of industrial hemp, but only for the agricultural community as an additional cash crop. It is also legal for research purposes, but the list of requirements to do so is extensive and lengthy.

And while the 2018 Farm Bill made industrial hemp legal at the federal level, each state is in charge of its own legislation on the subject. Only a handful of states have made growing hemp at home legal within their states.

Where Can You Privately Cultivate Hemp?

Production Grower has compiled a very thorough list of each state’s guidelines for personal hemp cultivation.

Only 17 of the 50 states passed legislation pertaining to this subject, and the legislation varies considerably. In terms of personal hemp cultivation, local marijuana cultivation laws are the default.

Arizona, Hawaii, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Washington State only allow medical marijuana cultivation. Therefore, only those with an official medical marijuana license can cultivate hemp at home.

Recreational states like Alaska, Colorado, Maine, and Massachusetts allow residents to grow their own cannabis — whether it’s hemp or marijuana is moot. As long as they follow their respective state’s cannabis cultivation guidelines, it is legal to grow hemp at home in these states. Some states (California, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, and Vermont) allow medical patients higher plant counts compared to their recreational neighbors. Check local laws for specific rules regarding personal hemp cultivation.

Bear in mind that most states only allow individuals to plant 3-6 cannabis plants in the ground at a time. As such, it may not be as fruitful or useful to grow industrial hemp on a homestead. It takes more than 3-6 hemp plants to produce enough hemp fiber to be useful. Conversely, a high CBD hemp strain — especially one that’s feminized, can still pull a decent amount of CBD from even a small harvest.

Things To Remember About Personal Hemp Cultivation

Growing your own hemp is actually pretty easy. All you need to grow hemp at home is some time, space, and a few basic supplies. Below are some of the most important factors to consider before growing hemp at home.

• Light: Hemp plants need light to grow, whether from the sun or grow lights. Before planting your hemp seeds, make sure you have the proper lighting in place. Growing hemp with LED lights has become a popular way to grow hemp indoors.
• Grow Medium: The grow medium is the material in which hemp is planted. Soil is one option, but there are other growing mediums to grow hemp at home including coco coir, rock wool, and peat moss.
• Air: Like all living things, plants need fresh air to breathe. Additionally, a well-ventilated grow room is crucial for the control of pests and pathogens.
• Temperature: Just like humans, hemp plants can die if exposed to extreme temperatures, so make sure it isn’t too hot for your plants. A general rule is if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your plants — usually between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Nutrients: Make sure your hemp plants are getting plenty of nutrients, whether from pre-formulated nutrients you can buy or your own composted super soil. Remember, nutrient demands change based on the plant’s growth state. Consult your local garden supply store for details.
• Water: Hemp plants need adequate water — not too much, not too little. Too much water can cause root rot, swollen leaves, and stunted growth. Too little and your girls will either stress (which may promote seed production) or dry out beyond repair.

Should You Grow Hemp at Home?

In general, personal hemp cultivation is not an option for the majority of the United States. As state legislatures begin to adjust the laws, we may begin to start seeing a change in this arena. If you are unsure about the number of hemp seeds you’ll need, please use our hemp seeds calculator.

Contact Fortuna Hemp if you want to learn more about hemp legislation and hemp CBD cultivation in the United States.