Know before you grow: The new rules for planting pot at home

The new rules for growing at home Government seed sales won't be ready for Wednesday, but anyone who wants to start growing at home will be legally permitted.

As recreational marijuana becomes legal across Canada, residents of B.C. can take an active role in cultivating cannabis.

But those who do want to start growing their own at home are subject to certain conditions.

Some will be purchasing grow tents, self-contained indoor gardens that can be used to mimic certain environments.

"It's very simple. Just open it up and you've got everything self-contained for cultivating four plants," said Pacific Northwest Garden Supply CEO Justin Cooper.

He spoke to CTV News about how those planning to grow plants at home should know before they get started.

How much can I grow?

As of Wednesday, adults 19 and older are allowed to grow as many as four plants. The limit is based on household, not number of people, so whether you live alone or with family members, only four plants are allowed.

Exceptions are in place only if an adult is authorized under the federal Cannabis Act to grow medical marijuana at home.

However, those living in a stratified property or rental should check before purchasing any equipment as landlords and strata councils can restrict or prohibit growing.

Where can I set up?

You'll have to choose your location carefully. Growing cannabis is prohibited anywhere visible from a public place.

The location you choose must be at your own residence, and you can't grow at more than one dwelling at a time.

The province also says plants can't be grown in any area of a home authorized to operate as a community care facility or to provide child care services.

What do I need to get started?

Seeds must be purchased from a legal source, but the liquor distribution branch doesn't have any yet. The province said there's a shortage from licensed producers, and did not provide a date where seeds may be in stock.

Despite its lack of seeds, the province prohibits plants grown from seeds obtained through an illicit source.

But once those seeds are in hand, Cooper lists, a grower needs "space, light, fan, system, plants. That's it."

How much does it cost?

Cooper says what you spend depends on what you want.

"It can start around $600 to $3,000 for a four-plant system… You buy the Lamborghini or the Ford Focus and everything in between," he said.

Experts also recommend purchasing a filter to deal with associated odours to avoid complaints from neighbours.

How long does it take?

From seed to harvest is a period of about four months, Cooper said.

At the end of it, "you could have failed miserably and got zero grams or you can easily yield a pound in that space."

Should I have safety concerns?

Some officials have warned that growing pot at home could lead to an increase in fires. Grow-ops have gone up in smoke as a result of issues with electrical equipment used in the process.

Two people died in such a fire at a home with a valid medical marijuana licence in Surrey this April.

The federal government has tips online concerning the growth of cannabis for medical purposes, which can be applied to recreational growing.

Its advice includes:

How much can I keep?  

If you produce more cannabis than you are allowed to store or possess, you must destroy the excess amount to stay within your limit. Under B.C. law, an adult is permitted to possess up to a maximum of 1,000 grams of dried cannabis or an equivalent amount of other product at home.

Health Canada recommends disposing of excess product by blending it with water and cat litter to mask the odour, then placing it in your regular garbage.

"It is not advisable to burn your dried marijuana or plants," the ministry says.

With a report from CTV Vancouver's Michele Brunoro