Tom O'Rite

Hello people.
I've been lurking and reading for time, but I've been inspired, mainly by the vibrant good health of my first touchy-feely take-it-as-you-go crop of the wondrous herb, to say a few things.

I would first like to say a big thankyou to all the people who make this site what it is; the people who ask and answer all the questions! -A couple of names stick out- Wolfman, Organic- but I've learned so much from this place and every post I've read has taught me something. More than anything else, the growing of my own plants has been (so far) a fascinating and rewarding experience- to see a plant, the image of which alone is a form of protest- or at least a 20th century icon- grow to prodigous and healthy size from the tiniest of seeds- in my own cupboard!
As my sense of wonder and awe for the plants developed, inline with my horticultural techniques, so did my sense of bewilderment that in a grown-up society our legislators see fit to 1) effectively make a life-form illegal and 2) persecute those who are 'perpetrating' a victimless crime. It is my sincere belief that the prohibition of personal-supply level production of cannabis is a foolish mis-focusing of governmental powers which can only serve to alienate a substantial proportion of the population and waste the time of an overstretched and underfunded police force.

From what I've read, and my own experience, I feel that this country- in terms of the bulk of the population and figures of authority, is substantially less hostile towards cannabis growers and smokers than the States, and for this I thank my lucky stars. There are over a hundred specialist hydroponic and lighting shops in easy reach of the city I live in (including mail order outlets) and these establishments see fit to advertise (on a regular basis and presumably hence at some profit) in a wide variety of magazines. A whole sub-culture is beginning to enter a flowering state in this country, and I hope that it is only a matter of time before our 'leaders' see the light and agree that we should not be persecuted for growing a substance substantially less dangerous than tobacco or alcohol, our dependence on which dangerous substances the government acknowledges by heavily taxing them for guaranteed constant revenue.

Now, to digress for a little while into territory I haven't really seen explored on this site, I'd like to wonder out loud about the lessons growing these plants have taught me- primarily lessons in patience. I've always been an impulsive person, but the knowledge that people I know have ruined perfectly viable crops through haste has caused me to exert caution (but not too much) and to take things easy and watch the plants for signs that they need something. This in turn has affected other areas of my life and in general I feel the responsibilty of managing a crop has taught me skills which I'll use in other fields. If nothing else, I've been through some difficult times while I've been growing, and this absorbing hobby has provided a welcome escape channel from the hectic troubles of everyday life.

I have a cupboard, in which reside several large, healthy and mature plants, just tipping over into the flowering stage. I could not have done it without reading and absorbing the info on this site, and I thank you, the askers and answerers at hempcultivation.com for what you've done for me.
Another quick point- although a lot of the postings on this site are related to setups costing hundreds of pounds / dollars, the little guys just dipping a toe in the water are well catered-for, and it should never be understated that healthy, mature and potentially fruitful plants can be grown on a modest budget with cheap equipment and A-Team ingenuity.

So... in conclusion

1) the governments are mad- let's take a source of revenue from the criminal / terrorist underworld and grow ourselves, ideally with the approval of the societies we live in (this would save loads of money that has to be spent on blackout material, de-ionizers etc)

2) Growing (good) marijuana, besides connecting you with the earth and making you a saner human being all round, is a discipline which runs contrary to the popular misconception of dope smokers as disorganised layabouts and which can teach you valuable lessons applicable to other areas of your life. (don't rush things, evaluate all the data you can see before you make your move, but equally don't be afraid to make moves with haste if it seems like the best course of action.)

3) My crop is doing fine, apart from a minor worry I'll ask about in the right forum, and I'm secure in the knowledge that with the help and combined knowledge of you people I'll carry it to fruition and beyond. Thanks people, and sorry for rambling

quantumhydro

Nice One
keep on tokin QHC

Tom O'Rite

They're still going strong- Just waiting at the moment and keeping everything stable

lilbuddie

I like this part the best

You are on the road to enlightenment my friend
LB

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Dope will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no dope
Pass the Roots and Hit the Culture
Catagory 5 Survivor

art alexander

From everything I read, the UK is further along in the acceptance of decrim/legalization than the US. I think the US actually needs the UK or Canada to take the next steps. The land of the free is getting less free than other lands.

Tom O'Rite

>You are on the road to enlightenment my friend

I'm certainly learning a lot, which is a good feeling because I haven't learned anything from work for a while!

art- yeah- it does look like the UK's more relaxed than the States in this respect- I know people who've had quite substantial stashes confiscated but not been arrested- we don't have the big war on drugs propaganda and marketing that you guys have, so there's never been a strongly consistent governmental message which the politicians and lawmakers became afraid to deviate from (although I'm sure they'd deny that given a chance). I like the way it's done in Australia, as far as I know- it's very low-key, but I think in some states you're _allowed_ 5 plants per house- any Aussies out there who can clarify that? (on ya)
I wouldn't want Amsterdam-type legalisation here, I don't think, but decriminalisation of posession for personal quantities (to be defined in law) and a set number or volume of plants would be excellent and shouldn't substantially affect the number of people either partaking or growing in the long term.
Another rant!

tom

Mad dog

ive got the same train of thought you have just not as much detail but i like the knowledge i live in the states and here your known to get thrown in jail and decently fined for even a small roach.anyways let us know how things are happening in your neck of the woods now and again.

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Md

Tom O'Rite

Thanks
Things are good here- I am a month into 12/12 and the plants are coming along well. I was lucky enough to have the 3 seeds I got from fine ganja come up female, and they're quite densely covered in buds which are increasing in size all the time now Two are approx 3 feet high, and one is a flat bonsai-style bush- one plant was a weakling, so I experimented with bending it at 90 degrees and now it's turned into a very odd flat plant. It's got some large buds forming on it though, which is a surprise.

tom

jcf1

Good to hear another UK grower out there, stickin it to Anne Widdecombe... Heartily agree with every sentiment expressed, everyone has the inherent right to grow a plant for there own personal use, and should exercise it. In a modern society, ravaged by the ill effects of legal, taxed drugs such as alcohol, it seems absurd that a relatively beneficial herb, with over 3000 years of historical recreational use, medicinal benefits, and neglegible negative physical, behavioural or social effects, should be made illegal. We WILL keep growing.

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Proper job.

Tom O'Rite

Watcher geezer, how's it going?
Nice to hear another voice from our, ahem, green and pleasant land
Tell you what- I've found UK growguides to be a bit on the patchy side- some time soon I'm planning on sticking up a post giving UK brand names, prices and so on and so forth- because it can be baffling for UK growers trying to get started when the products everyone mentions are the U.S. versions. I don't know how long you've been growing, but if you've been around here a while you're bound to have some useful knowledge. I'm only on my 1st grow, but I've learned so much... enough, I think to lay out some kind of basic UK grow info... sound interesting?

and btw, I wouldn't stick it to anne widdecombe if I was paid!

take care and keep the land green and pleasant

tom