Harvesting...

Many websites say when the plant is mature, just cut down the whole thing and do the process, drying etc.
But can i keep the plant alive and take as i need and not have to cut it down and grow a new one. I would rather have something i can just take a lil off and dry in the oven real quick and smoke it.

And when can i expect it to be ready to actually be able to use for smoking.

ur gonna have to flower to get buds beofre u cut anything down

You are gonna lose a lot by drying them real quick. If you are gonna do this do it right. https://www.rollitup.org/view.php?pg=faq&cmd=category&id=59