In November 2012, my Colorado neighbors and I made history by voting to legalize adult-use cannabis. The following month, Gov. John Hickenlooper signed Amendment 64 into the state constitution, officially legalizing the cultivation, possession, and use of marijuana. As a result, I found myself eager to try my hand at growing cannabis for the first time. Despite my lack of a green thumb, I had always heard that cannabis “grows like a weed.” But as I began to research and prepare for my first grow, I couldn’t help but wonder: if it’s so easy to grow, why is there such a huge market for nutrients and growing techniques?
With marijuana now legal and surpassing alcohol as my preferred intoxicant, I was determined to grow my own plant. But instead of seeking advice from experienced growers, I wanted to conduct my own experiment. I wanted to see if cannabis truly does grow as effortlessly as its reputation suggests.
After some searching, I found a small medical marijuana shop near my home that sold clones, the baby plants that are almost unrecognizable as cannabis. I asked the budtender for her favorite sativa-dominant strain and left with a fragile little plant that I named Shelby. That evening, I carefully transplanted Shelby into a disposable Solo cup and placed her on the south-facing kitchen windowsill, alongside a thriving houseplant.
My wife came home later that evening and immediately noticed our new addition, naming her Shelby. And just like that, we became marijuana farmers.
Inspired by musician Jack White’s tendency to limit himself in the name of art, I decided to keep my experiment simple. I would only use basic supplies and techniques, and I would document Shelby’s growth and progress along the way. As I eagerly awaited the results, I couldn’t help but wonder if my experiment would prove that cannabis truly does grow like a weed.
