New here! And I have questions!

So, hello! I've been lurking doing reading and sort of trying to get more information about the whole process. I have some questions but I want to introduce myself a little first, just to show you guys I'm human and legit. I'm a stay at home mom looking for something that I could do from home to bring in a little extra money for the occasional night out, and becoming a caregiver is kind of perfect for me. I really just wanted something to do with my time to feel productive and positive in order to avoid becoming a crazy 50's housewife. I'm also one of those crazy people that loved working at tim hortons because I like to make people happy and coffee makes people happy.

I've never actually grown before, but it doesn't seem TOO hard, as long as you have basic gardening skills and you actually pay attention. I mean, obviously there's a learning curve but it doesn't seem like it's a terribly delicate plant. If you're aiming for a super crazy high yield or a delicate strain it gets more complicated, but I think I'd be able to start out from scratch without too much trouble and work up from there with my patient, based on their needs and what they're looking for in a plant. I think. Like I said, I've never done it before.

I would really appreciate some advice, I have some specific questions and feel free to correct me or laugh at me if I'm SO WRONG about any of this.

How hard is it to get a caregiver card? Do I just send in my 331$ and they send me a card? Is there some secret government checklist that they grade you on before they let you have one? Has anyone actually been denied a caregiver card?

Do I have to get a patient before I start growing? I know I definitely do before I get my plants to flower, but can I START growing while I'm looking?

Do I need a patient on the form in order to get approved? There's a space for one but can I get a card, get a patient, then start growing? Or do I have to get a patient, get a card, then start growing? Because the latter really seems like there's going to be a big space between me becoming a caregiver and, you know, actually giving care.

I don't have a LOT to invest into starting to grow, so my setup is going to be pretty basic. How likely am I to get a patient if I have a semi-macgyver'd setup? Is there a backup of patients looking for caregivers, and they'll just be happy with what they can get? Obviously I'm not going to be able to charge a whole lot, since I don't have experience, so will the lower price work in my favor?

I live in the auburn/lewiston area and I heard a disturbing rumor that you're not allowed to grow in the city limits. This seems strange to me, and I couldn't find the actual law anywhere that prohibited it, but then again after a while legal jargon just all ends up looking the same. If anyone has any information on this it would be greatly appreciated.

I have questions! Come, lend me your wisdom!

<3

Another question - Is there a way I can get experience growing legally, so my future patient doesn't have to deal with me learning the ropes? I don't want to have something unexpected go wrong and have someone be SOL on the meds front, you know?

I don't know anyone that I trust to show me the ropes, if I'm going to get tutoring I want it to be someone that actually has patients, not just buyers.

aliceelite said:

Another question - Is there a way I can get experience growing legally, so my future patient doesn't have to deal with me learning the ropes? I don't want to have something unexpected go wrong and have someone be SOL on the meds front, you know?

I don't know anyone that I trust to show me the ropes, if I'm going to get tutoring I want it to be someone that actually has patients, not just buyers.

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There is no way to grow "LEGAL"..even having your caregiver card/medical card..its still illegal under federal law..So the short answer is no, the other answer is order some seeds online...get all of you equipment together..and try growing a couple. I wouldn't suggest trying to get patients etc, until you have everything together and have a better idea on the whole process of growing. I have a thread on my current grow on here under dubbas blue widow grow thread which has a list of equipment, nutes etc... and pictures.

You don't say whether you are a patient yourself also. If not, then you can get a card without having a patient lined up but you can't start growing until you have a signed agreement with a patient. As a non-patient, you wouldn't have a legal right to have even non-flowering plants without such an agreement (and caregiver card, of course).

I'm not a patient, I have (thankfully) fantastic health, other than a couple perma-fucked ankles.

I'm really not willing to grow without some form of legal protection - at least with a caregiver card I have a measure of security. I have a small child in the house who means the world to me, I can't risk it.

Hrm, so it's looking like I'm going to have to find a family member to get started and learn the ropes, since I'm not a patient myself?

Ok first let me reiterate the legal aspect. Since you aren't a patient and you do wish to be 100% legal, you cannot grow any plants until you sign up a patient.
Regarding learning the ropes, everything you need to know is right here on this site and not difficult to find. There's even a section especially for people new to growing. There are also people who will be willing to help you. But honestly, if you want to be successful take a couple weeks and read all you can about methods, equipment and care before you start anything. Come here with specific questions anytime.
Trust me, you will be far more successful that way than having someone set everything up for you.

you'll be hard pressed to find a patient that will sign up with a caregiver with zero experience and not be able to supply meds for 4+ months.....

Exactly, I mean, that's the problem, right? I (or someone in my family/household) need to be a patient first so I can learn the ropes, because I can't get a patient with no experience. I definitely don't want someone to set anything up for me, I know I'm going to have to do the legwork and learning myself (it's hard to maintain something you didn't build), I'm just not sure how new caregivers do that if they don't have a patient card or have family that does.

Is there a way around the catch 22 for someone in good health?

I read and research a lot. But there's only so much you can know before you get your hands on it and actually do it. When I say "tutoring" I don't mean "come to my house and grow my shit for me the first time", I more mean having a talking resource that I can go to. I'm someone who needs to gather a lot of information (why I'm asking these kinds of questions), and not having someone that I know personally makes me feel like I'm going in with half the information I could be.

I was just hoping that there would be a way that didn't involve growing for family.

aliceelite said:

Is there a way around the catch 22 for someone in good health?

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Yes.

A caregiver is allowed to give(not sell) meds to another caregiver.

Every once in a while I take on a patient that gets free meds. But I can't let those patient take one of my patient slots for too long.

So instead of me giving free meds to those patients, I could give meds to you as a caregiver, and you could give the meds to the patient. If they are getting meds for free they won't care who is giving it to them.

You would be out of compliance with the law between the time you receive the meds from the caregiver for the first time, and get signed designation form from the patient.

Finding a caregiver that trusts you and is willing to give you meds for free becomes the issue.

you won't find anyone that will give you free weed....it sounds like like maybe you should find something else to do to make some easy dancing money....

mdanforth said:

you won't find anyone that will give you free weed.

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Lol. Some patients will give out free weed...for a donation. And some care givers will give free weed out, with a really high delivery fee. The whole rule bending thing.

Perhaps speaking with a Dr. about becoming a patient due to ankle pain, that is if you think MMJ will help. I know plenty of Drs. That'll tell you it will for $250. Then you can practice growing, and maybe stockpile some unprocessed; up to 8lbs a year. When you are ready to become a caregiver you'll have mmj already. This may fall under the whole rule bending thing too.

I agree with NoSwag. You are all set if you have medical records showing ankle pain for six months or more.

Boom. Starting my first grow. Thanks for the info, I worked my shit out and I'm excited to start. See you on the forums, I'm sure I'll be here pretty often from now on. <3

Good for you. You should do a grow journal.

I think I'm gonna start one once I get some plants past seedling stage. I've figured out what my local stores carry for supplies and I'm just gonna start with one or two plants and just get the basics down, get a little more into it once I get the basics down. Go slow. It takes time, man, you can't rush shit like this or you'll fuck it up.

aliceelite said:

I think I'm gonna start one once I get some plants past seedling stage. I've figured out what my local stores carry for supplies and I'm just gonna start with one or two plants and just get the basics down, get a little more into it once I get the basics down. Go slow. It takes time, man, you can't rush shit like this or you'll fuck it up.

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congrats and good luck, if i could make a suggestion it would be to start simple, go with organic soil, and organic nutes, there alot more margin for forgiveness and its good for starting out and learning the basics, afterall you can read and do all the research you want, but its a bit different once you start actually doing it for real. Just remember, its a weed, it will grow pretty much on its own if you provide lights, nutes, and a proper growing environment. Don't over think things and don't "kill it with kindness"
Again best of luck to you and get that grow going ! If you have any questions feel free to ask I'll help out however I can and if not im sure someone else here will have answers you need

aliceelite said:

'm just gonna start with one or two plants and just get the basics down

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The difference in the amount of work between running two plants and six is neglible. You will learn more in a shorter period of time by pushing. Run all 6 imo. As you said in your OP, it's not like cannabis is a delicate plant.

Run all 6, so if you kill 4 you'll still have 2