An increasing number of jurisdictions are permitting cannabis consumers and patients to cultivated cannabis in their private residences. The most recent one is Germany, where the nation’s new adult-use cannabis legalization measure went into effect on April 1, 2024.
Adults in Germany, aged 18 and older, can now cultivate up to three plants in their private residences. Home cultivation was previously legalized in Malta in 2021 and in Luxembourg in 2023. Home cultivation is also legal in Uruguay, Canada, and in many parts of the United States.
Still, many states in the U.S. still prohibit home cultivation, with Washington State being arguably the most noteworthy one. Voters in Washington State approved a legalization measure back in 2012, however, home cultivation remains prohibited in Washington except by registered medical cannabis patients and commercial cultivators.
The Harris Poll, in conjunction with Royal Queen Seeds, recently conducted a survey asking adults in the United States whether or not home cultivation should be a right. According to the poll results, “59% of Americans agree that all Americans should have the right to legally grow cannabis at home.”
The survey also found:
- 81% of cannabis consumers agree all Americans should have the right to grow at home
- 62% of cannabis consumers would rather grow their own cannabis than buy it
- 34% of cannabis consumers who have grown at home do so because they feel safer consuming their own home-grown flower compared to store-bought cannabis
“All adults should be allowed to grow their own cannabis alongside their fruits and vegetables, if they so choose, without the fear of financial or criminal penalties,” said Shai Ramsahai, President of Royal Queen Seeds, in a press release. “There are many reasons people enjoy growing at home, from cost savings and knowing how their plants were grown, to just plain old having fun. Royal Queen Seeds is here to champion them through their journey, whatever their reason, with more than 100 seed strains, including F1 hybrids, and one of the largest catalogs of best practices for home cultivation.”
“This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Royal Queen Seeds from February 15-20, 2024, among 2,024 adults ages 21 and older, among whom 713 consume cannabis (i.e., cannabis consumers). The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.” the researchers stated about the poll’s methodology.
The survey also determined the following:
4/20 Shopping
- 37% of Americans (21+) agree that they would consider buying cannabis seeds as a gift for someone on 4/20
- 66% of cannabis consumers agree that they would consider buying cannabis seeds as a gift for someone on 4/20
- 81% of cannabis consumers who plan on growing this year agree that they plan to buy cannabis seeds on 4/20 for themselves
Benefits of Home-Grown Cannabis
It is no wonder Americans believe that growing cannabis at home should be legal—more than 40% of American households already cultivate their food. Why would they not be allowed to grow their cannabis in a home garden, especially when, according to the survey, cannabis consumers who have grown at home are reaping a multitude of tangible benefits from it:
- 49% say doing so gives them a sense of confidence; 48% a sense of joy; 46% a sense of pride; 34% a sense of ease; 44% a connectedness with nature or Earth
- 47% say they do so because it is fun
- 43% said it is more cost-effective than buying cannabis flower in a store
- 39% said the quality of the flower is better compared to store-bought
Habits of a Home Grower
The survey also polled cannabis consumers on an array of cultivation topics:
- 26% of cannabis consumers have grown at home
- 21% who have not grown at home would like to try
- 56% of cannabis consumers who have grown cannabis at home admit to singing or playing music for their cannabis plants
- 61% who plan to grow cannabis at home this year plan on growing in Spring (March-May); 49% in Summer (June-August); 24% in Fall (Sep-Nov); 29% in Winter (Dec-Feb)
- 61% who plan to grow cannabis at home this year say they will grow cannabis from seeds; 21% from clones or seedlings
- 44% who plan to grow cannabis at home this year say they will grow indoors; 33% outdoors