Lets get to it-CALI residents input needed

[bantos44]

Hello ROI community, Ive been spending hours upon hours of reading forums and doing research on my move to Cali. Im exhausted with it and would like to make my final decision by end of DEC. I live in a state where growing is illegal and dont feel the need to risk my freedom right now. I would like to move to Cali at beginning of 2012 and try this grow thing. I would like some input and help from all you Cali residents. I am looking for someone who would be kind enough to help me meet the right people and give useful information to get me going in the right direction. From the other posts Ive read I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MOVE WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT BUT ID LIKE TO KEEP THIS THREAD POSITIVE AND WITH IDEAS THAT COULD HELP ME MAKE THIS MOVE SUCCESSFULL.

My situation:

my job has approved a transfer to Cali, so my goal would be to keep my job and then do this project on the side. Thus allowing me to keep my standard of living right now until the time is right to move on from this job. I would like to move somewhere in LA or surrounding areas. I am looking for the following:

-a safe neighborhood
-a place somewhat lax on the laws of cannabis growing
-15 min or less from what is considered a social scene( im young and would like to have some sort of social life)
-somewhat middle income area.

Input on this would be priceless.

as far as what I plan on doing:

I would like to start off a small scale grow within the guidelines of the laws and grow for like 2-3 patients. I have a friend who is donating all the equipment for this since he has decided to retire from the business.
I would like to get some answers to the following questions as I am either unclear of the answers or would need help with the situation:

1. If I decide to set up a small house or apt grow do I have to get inspections of some sort?

2.Does government entity need to monitor my location or know my address for any reason? Id obv like to keep this a secret for fear or rippers or LEO.

3.I know it depends on quality but how hard/easy is it for me to sell my extra medicine to dispensaries?

4. I see a lot of different numbers and would like to know what the average price is per pound of medicine?


please share your story if you have left your state for the same purpose. I would like to know yr thoughts negative or positive and anything that might help along the way.

If you dont feel like posting and have some thoughts to share a PM would be more than welcomed.

I am going back to CALI in Jan to pick out a place to live and speak to an attorney about all the questions I might have. But in the meantime would love this communities input as It will be very valuable to me and help out with my move. I thank you all in advance for all your positive feedback.

P.S. not only have I done tons of research but I might have some experience growing so I am not going out there totally blind.

Cheers

Bantos

 

[The Midnight Gardener]

Just make sure you have about $4000.00 a month to spend and you'll be ok. If you don't, do whatever it takes to get that much a month if you really want to live comfortably.

 

[ReadingThisInMyVoice]

Hello ROI community, Ive been spending hours upon hours of reading forums and doing research on my move to Cali. Im exhausted with it and would like to make my final decision by end of DEC. I live in a state where growing is illegal and dont feel the need to risk my freedom right now. I would like to move to Cali at beginning of 2012 and try this grow thing. I would like some input and help from all you Cali residents. I am looking for someone who would be kind enough to help me meet the right people and give useful information to get me going in the right direction. From the other posts Ive read I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MOVE WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT BUT ID LIKE TO KEEP THIS THREAD POSITIVE AND WITH IDEAS THAT COULD HELP ME MAKE THIS MOVE SUCCESSFULL.

Welcome to California, from a lifelong resident: We have a load of problems right now and high unemployment rate and poverty, but I still believe we're the best state and the most forward thinking in the nation, and therein lies our advantage.

My situation:

my job has approved a transfer to Cali, so my goal would be to keep my job and then do this project on the side. Thus allowing me to keep my standard of living right now until the time is right to move on from this job. I would like to move somewhere in LA or surrounding areas. I am looking for the following:

-a safe neighborhood
-a place somewhat lax on the laws of cannabis growing
-15 min or less from what is considered a social scene( im young and would like to have some sort of social life)
-somewhat middle income area.

Input on this would be priceless.

Now, growing in the bay area is much more lax and lenient than it is in Southern California (in some counties like San Diego and Kern, they are conservative so they are tough on cannabis), But that's not to say it's still not much more lenient than from wherever you're previously coming from.

With that said, I hope you have money, because the neighborhoods in Los Angeles that are safe, close to a social scene, and are lively/progressive are very rarely affordable. West Hollywood, Van Nuys (though not that safe), San Fernando Valley--all extremely expensive. in California, it's all about trade-offs--you either take dangerous and cheap or cheap and boring or safe and expensive or exciting, safe and very expensive. I live in a box in San Francisco that I pay an arm and a leg for--but it's worth it and I still manage to have an indoor closet growth. LA prices are not much better, but there is the added disadvantage of needing to drive everywhere since public transportation is a drag in So-cal.

For safe, lively, young, and decent, expect to pay $1400/mo minimum for a 1 bdrm apartment on average (this is considered middle income there). Do research on craigslist. that'll give you an idea of the pricing in the market for rentals. It won't be large, it probably won't even be in a central area--but again, in California, it's all about trade-offs.

as far as what I plan on doing:

I would like to start off a small scale grow within the guidelines of the laws and grow for like 2-3 patients. I have a friend who is donating all the equipment for this since he has decided to retire from the business.
I would like to get some answers to the following questions as I am either unclear of the answers or would need help with the situation:

1. If I decide to set up a small house or apt grow do I have to get inspections of some sort?

No, and no one has to know about it. Enforcement of raids under Jerry Brown and DA Kamala Harris (former DA of my city) has been moved to minimal priority (even National Park raids, a more relatively popular action, has been scaled back) and with the budget crisis, planned raids on all but the largest of grows will go largely ignored in California.

2.Does government entity need to monitor my location or know my address for any reason? Id obv like to keep this a secret for fear or rippers or LEO.

No, and in fact, There is no central database of cannabis paitents or users in California, and it is left up to the counties, many of which don't keep records or destroy them upon receiving them to prevent them from ending up in federal hands (San Francisco does this).

3.I know it depends on quality but how hard/easy is it for me to sell my extra medicine to dispensaries?

Don't even think about it. Many of us have growers in the family or are growers, and we have connections that run deep...and we can barely get rid of the stuff these days. If people who've been here for years and have years worth of connections have trouble getting rid of it, it'd be a folly to think you could make money off of it as someone with no experience or connections in California. This state has a strong localist flare to it, almost xenophobic in a way, but after a while that distrust subsides.

4. I see a lot of different numbers and would like to know what the average price is per pound of medicine?

That's because there are alot of different numbers. I can find it for 750/lb of some top shelf--but that's because I know growers in Mendocino and Sonoma. for everyone else, however, the going average in San Francisco for a lb is about 2000 (growing counties to the north will have an average about 1200--in LA, it'll be much higher) \clubs on average will sell ounces for 320 and 290 on average, and will not negotiate on larger amounts since technically they can't sell you extremely large amounts anyways. if you want to buy a lb, you're going to have to know somebody.

please share your story if you have left your state for the same purpose. I would like to know yr thoughts negative or positive and anything that might help along the way.

If you dont feel like posting and have some thoughts to share a PM would be more than welcomed.

I am going back to CALI in Jan to pick out a place to live and speak to an attorney about all the questions I might have. But in the meantime would love this communities input as It will be very valuable to me and help out with my move. I thank you all in advance for all your positive feedback.

P.S. not only have I done tons of research but I might have some experience growing so I am not going out there totally blind.

Cheers

Bantos

Well...you're not going to be able to sell weed. I'll just break that to ya right now. And since you asked, personally I'd tell you to ditch LA all together and move to San Francisco--it's 10x the social scene for young people, it's still thriving unlike LA, and it's laws are MUCH more lax and akin to what you're looking for--but to each their own, and I hope California is everything you ever wanted it to be.

 

[d.s.m.]

my job has approved a transfer to Cali, so my goal would be to keep my job and then do this project on the side. Thus allowing me to keep my standard of living right now until the time is right to move on from this job. I would like to move somewhere in LA or surrounding areas. I am looking for the following:

-a safe neighborhood
-a place somewhat lax on the laws of cannabis growing
-15 min or less from what is considered a social scene( im young and would like to have some sort of social life)
-somewhat middle income area.

Input on this would be priceless.

I've lived here my whole life, and I'm looking for that place, too. And a robot butler.

 

[RawBudzski]

What he said. you want to grow.. and you want it to be in a safe place in cali. What is your job may I ask? CEO? 15ft gated communities in chino next to snoop dog might work. Then again I dunno your budget.

I've lived here my whole life, and I'm looking for that place, too. And a robot butler.

 

[bantos44]

I've lived here my whole life, and I'm looking for that place, too. And a robot butler.

after reading through hundreds of threads howd I know you were gonna b the first to provide nothing positive!?! but thanks for the input

 

[bantos44]

What he said. you want to grow.. and you want it to be in a safe place in cali. What is your job may I ask? CEO? 15ft gated communities in chino next to snoop dog might work. Then again I dunno your budget.

Im in sales so I do well but im not a CEO

 

[bantos44]

Welcome to California, from a lifelong resident: We have a load of problems right now and high unemployment rate and poverty, but I still believe we're the best state and the most forward thinking in the nation, and therein lies our advantage.

My situation:



Now, growing in the bay area is much more lax and lenient than it is in Southern California (in some counties like San Diego and Kern, they are conservative so they are tough on cannabis), But that's not to say it's still not much more lenient than from wherever you're previously coming from.

With that said, I hope you have money, because the neighborhoods in Los Angeles that are safe, close to a social scene, and are lively/progressive are very rarely affordable. West Hollywood, Van Nuys (though not that safe), San Fernando Valley--all extremely expensive. in California, it's all about trade-offs--you either take dangerous and cheap or cheap and boring or safe and expensive or exciting, safe and very expensive. I live in a box in San Francisco that I pay an arm and a leg for--but it's worth it and I still manage to have an indoor closet growth. LA prices are not much better, but there is the added disadvantage of needing to drive everywhere since public transportation is a drag in So-cal.

For safe, lively, young, and decent, expect to pay $1400/mo minimum for a 1 bdrm apartment on average (this is considered middle income there). Do research on craigslist. that'll give you an idea of the pricing in the market for rentals. It won't be large, it probably won't even be in a central area--but again, in California, it's all about trade-offs.



No, and no one has to know about it. Enforcement of raids under Jerry Brown and DA Kamala Harris (former DA of my city) has been moved to minimal priority (even National Park raids, a more relatively popular action, has been scaled back) and with the budget crisis, planned raids on all but the largest of grows will go largely ignored in California.



No, and in fact, There is no central database of cannabis paitents or users in California, and it is left up to the counties, many of which don't keep records or destroy them upon receiving them to prevent them from ending up in federal hands (San Francisco does this).



Don't even think about it. Many of us have growers in the family or are growers, and we have connections that run deep...and we can barely get rid of the stuff these days. If people who've been here for years and have years worth of connections have trouble getting rid of it, it'd be a folly to think you could make money off of it as someone with no experience or connections in California. This state has a strong localist flare to it, almost xenophobic in a way, but after a while that distrust subsides.



That's because there are alot of different numbers. I can find it for 750/lb of some top shelf--but that's because I know growers in Mendocino and Sonoma. for everyone else, however, the going average in San Francisco for a lb is about 2000 (growing counties to the north will have an average about 1200--in LA, it'll be much higher) \clubs on average will sell ounces for 320 and 290 on average, and will not negotiate on larger amounts since technically they can't sell you extremely large amounts anyways. if you want to buy a lb, you're going to have to know somebody.




Well...you're not going to be able to sell weed. I'll just break that to ya right now. And since you asked, personally I'd tell you to ditch LA all together and move to San Francisco--it's 10x the social scene for young people, it's still thriving unlike LA, and it's laws are MUCH more lax and akin to what you're looking for--but to each their own, and I hope California is everything you ever wanted it to be.

thanks for all your feedback! top notch

 

[RawBudzski]

You are asking for info on california.
There is nothing positive to reply about in regards to your questions. Sounds like Utopia to me personally but maybe you are some millionaire, but then why would you need us for any imput

 

[d.s.m.]

after reading through hundreds of threads howd I know you were gonna b the first to provide nothing positive!?! but thanks for the input

Do you want real answers, or do you want to be told what you're hoping to hear? Do you want us to blow sunshine up your ass, or do you want us to be honest?

 

[bantos44]

Do you want real answers, or do you want to be told what you're hoping to hear? Do you want us to blow sunshine up your ass, or do you want us to be honest?

i appreciate and want honesty! I was hoping you would be a little more specific instead of being a dick. Like hey its gonna be diffucult because the market is saturated and everyone is doing it but.........If you did xyz you might have a better opportunity of making it, however it will still be a tough challenge.

That is all!

 

[d.s.m.]

i appreciate and want honesty! I was hoping you would be a little more specific instead of being a dick. Like hey its gonna be diffucult because the market is saturated and everyone is doing it but.........If you did xyz you might have a better opportunity of making it, however it will still be a tough challenge.

That is all!

Fair enough. Sorry if I came across as a dick. My honest advice to anyone looking to start making a living growing smoke would be to look at a non-medical state with a lot of sunshine.

 

[Kaptain Kron]

You can still make money out here albeit u have to undercut everyone. If u wanna make $ off herb in Cali so cal is the place to do it up north is so flooded unless u got ao much product u can do like ounces for less than a hundred bucks of killfire and have mountains of pounds you won be doin much of anything up there. In so cal if you pump out weight and sell for say 200 an ounce or less you have a chance. But I will tell u keep your head down there's cats out here that don't appreciate it when u undercut their business and steal it all away lol. But so cal is like the only place left to make money in Cali on this shit. I know people exporting because of how rough it is here. If u must come out here come out to so cal in the San Gabriel valley la county and get to it. Get a warehouse or somthing

 

[bantos44]

Fair enough. Sorry if I came across as a dick. My honest advice to anyone looking to start making a living growing smoke would be to look at a non-medical state with a lot of sunshine.

so in essence you are telling me to stay put??? there goes my dream of quitting my job after a few years and making this my full time gig while i hangout in da beach.

fdjakf hndogfnfoubfnbgguibbuibo!!

 

[bantos44]

You can still make money out here albeit u have to undercut everyone. If u wanna make $ off herb in Cali so cal is the place to do it up north is so flooded unless u got ao much product u can do like ounces for less than a hundred bucks of killfire and have mountains of pounds you won be doin much of anything up there. In so cal if you pump out weight and sell for say 200 an ounce or less you have a chance. But I will tell u keep your head down there's cats out here that don't appreciate it when u undercut their business and steal it all away lol. But so cal is like the only place left to make money in Cali on this shit. I know people exporting because of how rough it is here. If u must come out here come out to so cal in the San Gabriel valley la county and get to it. Get a warehouse or somthing

great advice my friend, much appreciated. Ideas like these are what I am looking for. I know this is gonna be a tough uphill battle but im gonna keep at it and hopefully i can get enough input either way to make the move or stay put by early next year.

cheers

 

[bigblockhead]

I wouldn't be associated with any co-op's until the Feds are stopped by the courts. Just grow enough for yourself. Sales to anyone is dangerous at this time. Watch the NORML lawsuit that was recently filed to stop the fed raids.

 

[collective gardener]

Life long so cal resident here. Much of what everyone said is quite true. Trade offs being the key point. San Francisco is much better for growing and for the social scene, but horrible for selling and super expensive. Los Angeles and surrounding mob is awful for social scene, crackdowns on dispensaries are happening as we speak, BUT I have had little problem with sales of top notch for 3k.

How much are you willing to spend on rent? If you have enough, we can get you out to some nice safer areas with no social scene, but nice big houses for growing big.

Right now Los Angeles is debating on whether or not to close all the dispensaries within the city.....which is HUGE. If this happens the weed market will be in shambles for about 3 days. Then everyone will go back to what we've been doing forever...dealing drugs the old fashioned way. The key to selling to clubs is to have killer shit. If you do, you won't have a problem. I have noticed, though, that most people from out of state have very little idea what killer shit is. To give you an idea, we do not export any of it. You probably have never had it. You can't just go out and buy seeds or cuts of it. The stories you've heard about people not being able to unload their stash are examples of people thinking their shit is better than it is. IF you have a great example of an OG, you can sell it here. All you need is a great cut (should take you about 6 months to meet enough weed folks to score a good cut), and skills growing that cut (should take another 6 months of jacking around to get it right). So, in a year you may have some shit that may sell. That's realistic...and optimistic, at that....not negative.

 

[bantos44]

Life long so cal resident here. Much of what everyone said is quite true. Trade offs being the key point. San Francisco is much better for growing and for the social scene, but horrible for selling and super expensive. Los Angeles and surrounding mob is awful for social scene, crackdowns on dispensaries are happening as we speak, BUT I have had little problem with sales of top notch for 3k.

How much are you willing to spend on rent? If you have enough, we can get you out to some nice safer areas with no social scene, but nice big houses for growing big.

Right now Los Angeles is debating on whether or not to close all the dispensaries within the city.....which is HUGE. If this happens the weed market will be in shambles for about 3 days. Then everyone will go back to what we've been doing forever...dealing drugs the old fashioned way. The key to selling to clubs is to have killer shit. If you do, you won't have a problem. I have noticed, though, that most people from out of state have very little idea what killer shit is. To give you an idea, we do not export any of it. You probably have never had it. You can't just go out and buy seeds or cuts of it. The stories you've heard about people not being able to unload their stash are examples of people thinking their shit is better than it is. IF you have a great example of an OG, you can sell it here. All you need is a great cut (should take you about 6 months to meet enough weed folks to score a good cut), and skills growing that cut (should take another 6 months of jacking around to get it right). So, in a year you may have some shit that may sell. That's realistic...and optimistic, at that....not negative.

Gardener, thanks for all the info. Been following your 20k grow and it has provided some good material. I havent had the chance to read ALL of it but daily I continue where i left off the day before. Funny you mention not having Cali bud where I am at. Recently I ran across a friends friend who gave me some Cali blue dream and the nuggets were amazing. As far as seeds and cuts your 100% about that, no way that will make its way to where I live. I can tell you that I live in an area that is similar to SoCal in terms of cost of living and all else, so the transition would not be that difficult. I just need ideas like the ones you provided so I know where to start and what my challenges will be. Once the holidays are over I will be making my decision as to what I am going to do. Right now my im convinced Im heading to SoCal unless something drastic changes. Thanks again for all your input and If you have anything else you could help me with I would greatly appreciate your input. If theres something u do not wanna post a PM would work fine.

Also as far as a place to live I was thinking 5-10K watt grow at max at first. I dont want to have a shitload of product on hand and have a hard time getting rid of it. SO I plan on doing something like this until i start networking and building the proper relationships. Thanks much and hope to hear more great ideas from you.

Bants

 

[collective gardener]

Gardener, thanks for all the info. Been following your 20k grow and it has provided some good material. I havent had the chance to read ALL of it but daily I continue where i left off the day before. Funny you mention not having Cali bud where I am at. Recently I ran across a friends friend who gave me some Cali blue dream and the nuggets were amazing. As far as seeds and cuts your 100% about that, no way that will make its way to where I live. I can tell you that I live in an area that is similar to SoCal in terms of cost of living and all else, so the transition would not be that difficult. I just need ideas like the ones you provided so I know where to start and what my challenges will be. Once the holidays are over I will be making my decision as to what I am going to do. Right now my im convinced Im heading to SoCal unless something drastic changes. Thanks again for all your input and If you have anything else you could help me with I would greatly appreciate your input. If theres something u do not wanna post a PM would work fine.

Also as far as a place to live I was thinking 5-10K watt grow at max at first. I dont want to have a shitload of product on hand and have a hard time getting rid of it. SO I plan on doing something like this until i start networking and building the proper relationships. Thanks much and hope to hear more great ideas from you.

Bants

5-10K is a pretty big grow for a residence. I have never gone over 5k and that was in a 4 bedroom house that I lived in alone. As far as costs go, I usually figure $1000 per light for equipment. That will get you quality lights and bulbs, all fans, trays, and misc growing equipment. Starting with 5k is a waste of money and power. Start with a veg room and 1k bloom room. Grow a shitload of plants for a few months till you find one that will sell in the market. Then, once you've dialed in that strain, get your big settup.

 

[bantos44]

5-10K is a pretty big grow for a residence. I have never gone over 5k and that was in a 4 bedroom house that I lived in alone. As far as costs go, I usually figure $1000 per light for equipment. That will get you quality lights and bulbs, all fans, trays, and misc growing equipment. Starting with 5k is a waste of money and power. Start with a veg room and 1k bloom room. Grow a shitload of plants for a few months till you find one that will sell in the market. Then, once you've dialed in that strain, get your big settup.

gardener the great this is that I already have all the equipment needed to start. I dont need to buy anything. Right now I think 5K is the ideal number for me until like u said get something that moves. In which case I will increase the size of gardern.

but yes, my thoughts were to do a veg room and a bloom room in which case I could spead up the process.