Supplies but no plants

The law legalizing recreational marijuana in Massachusetts, approved by ballot measure in November, allows home growers to grow up to six marijuana plants per person or 12 per residence.

While state legislators are debating what to change in the new law, many residents have taken an interest in growing plants in their homes.

Here We Grow in Hadley is one of a handful of shops that sell all of what people need to grow marijuana – except the plants, which cannot be sold legally in Massachusetts (a plant can be given from one friend to another however).

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Here We Grow's business sign invites customers to get help with growing marijuana plants. (Photo by Diane Lederman / The Republican)

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Below are some tips for home marijuana growers:

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Controlled environment is key

A grow house or tent allows the environment to be controlled and dust free, and to provide darkness and light in equal measure.

Above: This photo taken at grow house in Denver shows a marijuana plants ready to be harvested. (Photo by Ed Andrieski / Associated Press file)

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Light is at the heart of successful growing

Above: Various lamps and light bulbs used for growing marijuana are on display at a Massachusetts grow shop. (Photo by Diane Lederman / The Republican)

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A marijuana plant must be placed in light for 12 hours every day in order to keep the plant from flowering. That’s where lights come in. There are two types of lamps used:

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Metal-halide lamps, which produce light that is blue-ish white, are generally used during vegetative growth.

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High pressure sodium lamps produce light that is more on the red-orange end of the spectrum and are used during the flowering stage, according to leafly.com.

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Ventilation and fresh air

Cannabis needs fresh air and ventilation, which is where a fan comes in.

Above: Fans and ventilation products used for growing marijuana are on display at a Massachusetts grow store. (Photo by Diane Lederman / The Republican)

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What kind of soil to use?

Marijuana needs nutrient rich soil. There are myriad soils available. Some require more work than others. Growweedeasy.com, for example, recommends Fox Farms Happy Frog soil and adding perlite.

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Some people like to mix their own, and add things like bat guano to the mix.

Above: Soil used for growing marijuana plants is sold at a grown shop in Massachusetts (Photo by Diane Lederman / The Republican)

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Where to find help

People like Nicole Stetzer and Gary Capone at Here We Grow in Hadley can offer guidance and suggestions for successfully growing marijuana.

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Here is a list of some other businesses in that offer products and provide help:

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Green Wave, Garden Supply & Hydroponics, 328 College St., Amherst

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Western Mass Organic Garden Supply, 12 Kenwood St. Greenfield

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Grow Haus, 26 Strong St., Northampton

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New England Hydroponics, 15 College Highway, Southampton, and its affiliated consulting business, growgreenline.com

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Myriad websites — such as leafly.com; ilovegrowingmarijuana.com; hightimes.com and medicaljane.com — and books also are available.

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