I just requested my records from my GP regarding my back pain and arthritis. Finally decided the NSAID's and Vicodin were doing more harm than good and MJ will work much better for my needs.

I've been doing tons of reading lately (great info here on RIU, can't wait to join in more discussions and maybe start helping as i learn) regarding the medical laws here in CA, and there is one thing that is bugging me.

What's bugging me are the 'baseline' max amounts for growing (as I understand it they are suggested, not hard law, but basically if you don't exceed this you won't get into trouble levels) --- 6 flowering *OR* ('or' not 'and' is the part i'm having a problem with) 12 vegging. Now, that seemed a lot to me at first - until I started reading the grow forums. With mother plant requirements, clones in process (of which many will get discarded), those vegging and those flowering, it basically makes it impossible to effectively grow medical strains -- most patients probably need a couple different strains based on their requirements (such as sativa for day and indica for night).

I mean, say the average patient (without much grow experience or space) gets 6 seeds going, and takes these to flower -- hypothetically a 90-day process seed to cure. Assuming none die from rookie mistakes, and a rookie yield of 1/2oz per plant, that's only a maximum of 3oz yield to cover a 90 period (HAVE TO START FROM SEED AGAIN! -- NO CLONES WERE TAKEN AS TO NOT VIOLATE THE 6 PLANT LAW).

Basically, the 6 flowering OR 12 vegging seems extremely idiotic, frankly. I could understand 6 flowering AND 12 vegging. But it doesn't seem effective to allow 6 in flowering with no others available for vegging. Heck, even 6 flowering and 6 vegging would be practical. And let's say i'm doing the '12 vegging' instead - what is the benefit of that if only 6 can go to flower - just toss the bad phenomes?

Sorry for the rambling, I guess my general point is - how easy is it to get approval from the doctors to recommend a higher amount of plants, above recommended limit (specifically Orange County). I think for me to supply myself properly, i would need 2-4 mothers, 6-12 in vegetative and 6-12 in flowering. If I outlined my case for higher requirements logically should most MM doctors be accepting of my case? Are some more lenient than others?

Basically I'd like to ensure myself a steady supply of sativa and indica (pref. 2 of each) so i have variety based on situations, mood and pain levels. I'd also like to help support a local co-op and join in trading clones, crosses, and donating to those that don't have the ability to grow. I can't do any of this with the "6 flowering OR 12 vegging" stipulation.

Any insight is appreciated!

I too have many of the same questions and issues with the limits that you express here. It's just asinine and it's clear that those who made the limits don't know a damn thing about growing medical cannabis (or cannabis at all for that matter).

My thoughts at this point are that I should be okay if I don't go too far over the limits and if I make it clear (by tracking EVERYTHING) that I had a medically sound reason for exceeding them (such as the need to grow multiple strains, to keep mothers, to make many clone cuttings even though most will be tossed, etc.). I know in CO (which is where I will be obtaining my card) there was recently a patient who was busted with like 72 plants (most were cuttings from what I understand) and all charges were dropped.

I would suggest getting the advice of a lawyer who specializes in medical cannabis cases before exceeding the limits too far. But I would love to hear what anyone else here has to say about the matter, especially for CO.

I am not in OC but more of a "desert" location. We have the same issue as you folks regarding restrictions.

I spent some time looking into this a while back and the general concenous is that law enforcement is aware of the need in some cases for Sea of green methods, or as you said, multiple strain development. If you are doing this for your own medical needs you will be protected. There were a couple of cases cited when I was looking into this ( I will try to find them and post them)

Bascially if you have 24 small plants and 30 clones waiting to go in a perpetual havest, they realize this is not the same as 54 plants under 20 1000 watt lights. There are ALOt of people in SoCal growing their own and they are much more focused on large scale ops. The op you are mentioning shouldnt draw much attention as long as you dont discuss it.

If you are really nervous you can also get someone (a friend, spouse etc) to name you as their caregiver. It is as simple as signing a piece of paper and you can immediately double the amount you are allowed to grow and possess

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So I says to the guy..."that ain't even my horse"!!

ok glad to see the consensus was what i was feeling/hoping. I'm not looking for huge yields - more so a variety. sounds like as long as i don't go crazy with flowering (i can't i'll only be flowering in a 3x3 space) i should be ok. my concern was more related to having ~24 clones in process and those counting against me.

thanks for your thoughts!

Just use your head.

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speaks louder than words.
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why dont you just be caregivers then you can multiply the number of plants real fast. thats what i'm going to do, there are so many people out there looking for growers! i visited a dispensery today and they said i would have no problems finding people to grow for.

your not allowed to smoke it.

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i'm the guy i've always wanted to be

i am a patient so yes i can smoke it!!!!

you suggested to someone else to "just be caregivers". caregivers aren't allowed to smoke.

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i'm the guy i've always wanted to be

yes i know this. but i bet 75% of all care givers smoke