California is famous the world over for its surfing beaches, celebrity hangouts, and lush vineyards. In November 2016, however, the golden state added yet another feather to her cap when Proposition 64 legalized the sale, growth, and consumption of cannabis seeds for recreational use. This built on a twenty-year history of liberalization of marijuana laws in the state, as California was something of a pioneer in the movement when it legalized cannabis for medicinal purposes way back in 1996.
With such a well established cannabis culture in place, California is arguably the best place in America in which to get involved in growing weed yourself. With this in mind, we thought we'd address some key questions you might like to get cleared up before setting up a Californian cannabis cultivation operation of your own.
Is it legal to buy marijuana seeds in California?
It might surprise you to learn that buying marijuana seeds is technically legal in many states and countries where marijuana itself is still sadly prohibited. The problems arise when the seed actually germinates and starts to grow into the beautiful plant it was meant to be.
This seems pretty unfair to us, but that's life, right? Fortunately, in California at least it is legal to both purchase AND grow marijuana seeds. Phew!
Is it legal to grow weed in California?
Yes you can grow marijuana in California and it's legal to do so, although as you would expect there are conditions which you must abide by in order to ensure that you stay on the right side of the law. If you want to grow weed on a commercial scale you'll need to buy a license, which can be obtained from any one of three state licensing authors. These are the Bureau of Cannabis Control, CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing, and the California Department of Public Health’s Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch.
How many marijuana plants can you grow in California?
Crucially, California-dwelling marijuana lovers who want to grow their own need to limit themselves to six plants or less. More important is that this number applies to max 6 plants per household but rather, per residence. Please note that this also applies when you and a room mate share a flat or appartment and want to grow marijuana.
Can you buy marijuana seeds in California?
With a vibrant cannabis industry, California has a broad selection of cannabis dispensaries and other related businesses across the state. That said, for sheer convenience and choice, you can't beat buying online.
How do you buy marijuana seeds in California?
As in most places where the local authorities have been good enough to relax cannabis legislation, the two main ways to buy marijuana seeds in California are to either go online or head to a reputable dispensary. If you want access to the widest possible variety of strains, the better option is probably to take the digital route. That said, some of the more established Californian cannabis dispensaries do offer an impressive selection of seeds.
What are the best strains of cannabis to grow in California?
With long, hot summers and comparatively rainy spring seasons, California is exceptionally well suited to growing more or less any type of Cannabis you choose. To give you just a little guidance, however, here are a few of our favourite cannabis plants which we recommend for Californian growers:
1. Gelato
If you think the idea of a cannabis strain which delivers both high THC levels and bumper harvests sounds too good to be true, then think again. Because that’s exactly what you get from saliva/indica hybrid Gelato. In fact, this amazing crossbreed can contain up to an incredible 25% THC, with yields of around 350 to 450 grams per m2 when grown indoors. Better yet, outdoor growers can look forward to even bigger crops, with a single plant typically producing around 250 grams.
Originally created in the Bay Area of San Francisco, Gelato is ideally suited to the Californian climate, and will also thrive in milder weather. It will even adapt well to humid conditions, and will greatly reward the care and attention of an experienced grower.
Gelato plants can grow to a respectable 1 meter in height when cultivated indoors, although they can reach double that if kept outside. Expect your crop to be ready for harvesting in around 8 to 9 weeks.
Your plants will boast plentiful, thick buds which have an attractive deep blue hue, and will sparkle beautifully with a dense layer of THC crystals. Tasting every bit as good as it looks, your Gelato crop will have a delicious fruity flavour with mint overtones, and an intoxicating fragrance with notes of citrus and vanilla to match the stimulating, creative, and relaxing high.
Tip: check our feminized Gelato cannabis seeds
2. Original Glue
Created when a team of enterprising cannabis experts blended ApePower with MonkeyWeed and HealthMonkey, Cannabis Cup winner Original Glue is highly prized for its powerful THC content and sweet aroma. Original Glue's sheer strength means that its one to treat with respect, but cannabis enthusiasts love it for those days when they just want to sink into the sofa and chill.
Original Glue is very happy in warm weather, so it suits the Californian climate to a tee. Outdoor plants can reach heights of up to 2.2 meters, while indoor plants tend to be somewhat more manageable in size. Expect your crop to flower in around 7 to 9 weeks, with potential yields of up to an impressive 600 grams per m2. By September, outdoor growers can look forward to enjoying a plentiful supply or dense, resin-rich buds, although with the proper equipment this can be achieved indoors year round.
To complement its pleasant fragrance, Original Glue has a distinctive, complex flavor which evokes notes of chocolate, coffee, and pine. With a slight acidic kick, it's a similar experience to enjoying a glass of good red wine. All in all Original Glue is a superb choice for those who like to savor the finer things in life.
Tip: check our feminized Original Glue cannabis seeds
3. Girl Scout Cookies
This sublime mix of Durban Poison and OG Kush was created in California, so it goes without saying that it is perfectly suited to the gorgeous Californian climate. It will flourish either indoors or outside, and has the potential to reach a formidable 23% THC content. True to its name, Girl Scout Cookies even has a delicious flavor, with hints of chocolate and mint, and a distinctive, spicy aroma.
The Girl Scout Cookies strain is a particularly wise choice for novice growers due to its ease of maintenance. However, more experienced weed producers value its abundant, sturdy branches and dependable resistance to mold. Expect your plants to grow up to 1 meter in height if cultivated indoors, and perhaps double that when kept outside.
Your Girl Scout Cookies crop should flower in around 7 to 9 weeks, and it's well worth employing techniques such as Screen of Green (SCROG) or Topping. Yields range from 500 to 650 grams, although it is necessary to grow your plants outside as opposed to indoors if you want to achieve the upper end of this scale.
Either way, once you have harvested your crop, you can look forward to experiencing a relaxing, euphoric journey which is best enjoyed in the company of friends.
Tip: check our feminized Girl Scout Cookies cannabis seeds
4. Sour Diesel
One of the most potent weed strains out there, Sour Diesel is highly regarded across the world. Developed in California, while the precise genetics of this distinctively sour tasting weed variety remain a closely guarded secret, those in the know strongly suspect that it is the result of skilled crossbreeding between Northern Lights, Super Skunk, and 91 Chemdawg.
With a flowering time of 10 weeks and a rapid germination period, you should be able to harvest your crop around 12 weeks after planting. Yields are a respectable 400 to 500 grams per m2, however in order to achieve this it is recommended that you employ Sea of Green (SOG) techniques. Due to the perfect mix of traditional sativa and Afghani-indica genes, you can expect your buds to be of the highest quality.
Sour Diesel plants thrive in a warm climate, so they are perfectly suited to cultivation beneath the bright Californian sun. Potentially, in ideal outdoor conditions your plants could grow to heights of up to 3 meters. In terms of its effects, Sour Diesel offers a high that creates feelings of euphoria and fills you with energy, making it an excellent choice for experienced weed lovers looking for a daily smoke which won’t disrupt their busy lives.
Tip: check our feminized Sour Diesel cannabis seeds
5. Blue Dream
Long-established as a legend among weed strains and one of the most popular varieties of cannabis in America, Blue Dream was first developed in California. It is, therefore, exceptionally well-suited to the state's warm and sunny climate. However, being resistant to bad weather and mold, Blue Dream will also grow well in less favorable climates, as well as indoors.
A perfectly balanced mix of 70% Sativa and 30% Indica, Blue Dream was originally created using a blend of the Blueberry and Haze #1 strains. The formula has proven equally popular among beginner growers and professionals on account of its ease of maintenance, highly enjoyable smoking experience, and abundant yields of up to 650 grams per m2 indoors and potentially an incredible 900 grams per m2 when grown outside. Flowering times are respectable at around 9 to 10 weeks.
Plants can grow up to 3 meters in height outdoors, and even when grown inside can get up to 2 meters. In light of this, some indoor growers like to employ plant size limiting techniques such as shortened growth phases and trimming.
THC content is around 18% to 19%, so Blue Dream certainly packs a punch. Expect a long-lasting, cerebral, and energetic high with feelings of euphoria and a psychedelic vibe. To top it all off, Blue Dream is equally enjoyable in terms of taste and aroma, with woody notes and a hint of citrus.
Tip: check our feminized Blue Dream cannabis seeds
Is there anything else I need to know?
For novice weed growers and professionals alike, it really doesn't get much better than California. You're certain to have some success whichever strain you decide to grow, so which one you choose can largely be guided by your own personal preferences.
Just bear in mind that carrying any more than an ounce of sweet weed in public is prohibited, and check with local authorities to ensure that you are aware of any other relevant legislation, and you're golden. Which we think is pretty wonderful, wouldn't you agree?