MODESTO, Calif. — When people think about growing cannabis at home, they often picture a dark closet or basement rigged with purple-hued black lights: A covert cultivation hidden from prying eyes.
In reality, that’s far from the case. With 24 states and the District of Columbia now allowing private citizens to grow at home (with limits), more Americans than ever before are cultivating in plain sight. In fact, 66% of home growers say they feel more confident and empowered to grow openly now that America has relaxed its legal stance on cannabis.
These insights come from a new national survey of nearly a thousand self-identified home growers conducted by Stripe Theory on behalf of I Love Growing Marijuana (ILGM), one of America’s largest, community-centric cannabis seed banks and educational resources.
While home growing is on the rise, the readily available tools for novice cultivators haven’t kept pace, compelling DIYers to turn to each other for recommendations, information, and advice. Almost half of respondents—48%—say the home growing community has been essential to their practice, both for learning purposes and finding a sense of belonging.
Key findings from the survey suggest that the profile of home growers is evolving, and they’re ready to emerge from the shadows into the light.
Home Growers Aren’t Who You Think
A whopping 61% of home growers who responded to the survey were women. This finding is further supported by research indicating that women are outpacing men in cannabis consumption in America. According to NIDA, women aged 19 to 30 surpassed men of the same age for the first time in 2023.
Home Growing Promotes Self Sufficiency
- 57% of respondents agreed home growing empowers people to take control of their health and wellness.
- 38% of home growers agreed that learning to cultivate gives them a sense of self-sufficiency and control.
- 35% of respondents said they cultivate at home to dictate the strain selections and quality of their cannabis.
Home Growing is Therapeutic—in More Ways than One
While many people grow and consume cannabis for medicinal purposes, it seems that the practice of home cultivation can be as soothing as the effects of the plant itself. 41% of respondents describe home growing as a “therapeutic and stress-relieving activity,” suggesting that home growing is much more than a hobby, but a form of self-care.
What…Like It’s Hard?
With some basic resources and a like-minded community to lean on, growing at home isn’t as hard as it sounds. 44% of home growers believe the biggest misperception about home growing is that it’s difficult and requires advanced skills. Their biggest challenges? Managing male plants from regular seeds (32%), unexpected growth characteristics (24%), and germination issues (23%).
Other notable findings from the study include:
- 60% strongly identify with the cannabis community and culture.
- 59% frequently experiment to optimize their growth and yield.
- 51% prefer growing cannabis outdoors in a garden or greenhouse.
- 46% believe organic and regenerative practices will become mainstream in the next five years.
- 25% agree that more favorable regulations have reduced the stigma around home growing.
“It’s inspiring to see people from all walks of life embracing home growing,” said Ernst Rustenhoven, CEO of ILGM. “The practice of cultivating your own cannabis allows people to dismantle outdated stereotypes, increase self-sufficiency, take control of their health and build community with likeminded individuals. ILGM is here to support everyone on their unique home growing journey, while ensuring they’re fully equipped with the resources, knowledge, and confidence to succeed.”
Survey Method
The survey was conducted online within the United States by Stripe Theory on behalf of ILGM from September 27th, 2024 to October 21st, 2024, among 961 adults ages 21 and older who reported participating in cannabis home growing. Stripe Theory’s online polls are conducted with a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points.
About I Love Growing Marijuana
I Love Growing Marijuana (ILGM) is an online cannabis seed bank committed to providing top-quality seeds, expert guidance, and discreet service. Our diverse selection of premium seeds, coupled with exceptional customer support and educational resources, empowers growers of all levels to cultivate with confidence. With a focus on quality, privacy, and legal compliance, ILGM is a go-to destination for premium cannabis seeds and cultivation expertise.
