Safely grow cannabis at home in South Africa with these top tips from a well-seasoned local home-grower. Grab your seeds and soil, there's no better time than right now to get your grow on!

First thing's first, it is 420% legal for adults to get high on their own supply. Yet it is not always as simple as just adding water and fistfuls of gorgeous buds magically filling your jar. It will take rewarding amounts of dedication and patience to pull off a dope harvest. But most of all it will take some common sense to play it safe as cops, Karens or rippers could be just around the corner.

What is the law about cannabis in South Africa?

The sweet and short of it is that adults are allowed to privately grow and possess cannabis. All trade or exchange of the plant however remains illegal. This has created a boom (pun intended) in home-growers, grow shops and seed banks. A boom that has made growing cannabis as easy as one, two, three. Simply order some supplies and seeds online and you will be growing within a week. Then begins a journey that will take several satisfying months before you are imbibing some sweet 100% legal Mary Jane.

Safely Grow Cannabis

We want you to do way more than just survive as a grower though. We want you to thrive and take your weed to a higher level. So here are some top tips from a well-seasoned home-grower.

Limit yourself

The laws regarding cannabis are currently vague on how much you are allowed to privately grow or possess. This has made it difficult for both police and citizens alike to figure out what is and isn't a reasonable amount. It is therefore up to you to lead by setting a good example until the laws have further evolved and gained some definition. Simply do the math of how much weed you personally need per year and plant accordingly. It is way less awkward to politely deal with a cop at your door and few plants in your back yard, than it is to deal with a squad of cops coming over the walls into your plantation.
Here's a good local grow guide and outdoor planting calendar.

Townhouses are tough

Townhouses and flats offer limited grow space and strict rules. First prize is that you do not end up with a misery of Karens crying to the Home Owners Association about your terps keeping them up at night. Or that that your massive buds are scratching at their windows. So be considerate when neighbors are nearby. Autoflower plants offer excellent quality while being very discreet. They are also very resilient to the light pollution that is common in urban areas. Pick appropriate cultivars to grow as a garden full of 4m sativas may draw the attention of far worse things than the local Karen.

Rippers are real

Picture it! You've put in all the blood, sweat and bucks and your plants are showing it. Branches are bending under the weight of thick AF buds. Delicious terps are setting your nostrils ablaze. This will be the dankest weed you've ever experienced at a price so low no dealer will ever beat it.  Autumn is setting in and harvest is so close you can already taste it. You wake up, put the kettle on, let the dogs out and roll a joint to spark in the garden. It takes a minute before your autopilot turns off and it hits you. Or should I say that it rather doesn't hit you. Something is missing. The knockout smell of your prize-winning weed is gone. No wait. It's all gone!
Beware of rippers who will gladly relieve you of your harvest with just a few minutes of midnight work. Try not to make your grow any more detectable than it needs to be.

Things are getting better

Let's face it, the laws regarding cannabis in South Africa are very hazy. Thankfully Green Smoke Room Consulting participates in and supports local legalization efforts, while also constructively working with government to help grow a local industry that we can be proud of.

It is up to you to be woke and adapt in an environment that is itself also busy adapting. For now, keep your crops safe and keep your neighbors none the wiser.


Author: William "Buzz" Wallace