New hydro shop owner in town. What to say i grow??!!

gagekko said:

Disagree, to an extent. Some local law enforcement have been known to log the automobile plate number at hydroponic shops, track the individual, and go through their trash as once its put out for a garbage truck, a warrant is no longer needed... Then, whatever "evidence" is gathered in your trash can be used to secure a warrant.

Does this happen very often? No - but it does happen :/

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It doesn't happen often, but once in a while, I'm glad I live in Alaska. Thanks for reminding me today!

I second what other's have said. The store owner wants to make a legal profit. So why ask them about specific problems? How do you know Product A will fix your problem, or Product A is what has the greatest profit margin?

Do you're research outside of the store, and talk about "plants" or "tomatoes". Even in Alaska, I'm not going to say what I'm growing, and they don't say it either - we all know, though.

They know what you are doing but they dont care. They saw a oppurtunity to open a shop and make some money.

I never really talk to them. If I have to and they ask, I say "Cut flowers" it is common for florists even small ones to grow some stuff and since we actually just growing cut flowers it works for the sake of conversation about new products or what not. I also grow some veggies in my back yard in summer I use hydroponics for that so I'm always buying lots of stuff and if the feds looked in my yard they would see that I'm an avid gardener. Other then that I say nothing and I absolutely NEVER ever talk to other customers.

So what type of plants are you growing? Mexican tomatoes

In the area I am in, there are about 4 hydroponic stores in the city. Now, I don't know about you, but I find it hard to think that there are enough people growing tomatoes in the basement to keep 4 decent sized hydroponic stores open and operating in one area... They know the people who come in are likely doing some home growing of a particular sort. First time I went in to a shop, just said im growing some "stuff" and asked what soil/nutrients they would recommend. As it were, the guy was oddly knowledgeable in the subject and pointed me towards the appropriate products
Basically, I figured if you don't come out and say you are growing flowers or tomatoes, they will get the hint, but these store owners know that probably the majority of their business is going to come from people not much unlike ourselves....

I go in, grab my c{^k and b$//s and say i grow flowers and here's a free bouquet.

Do not throw any marijuana related items in your regular trash. Then they have nothing to find. Empty light bulb boxes, nutrients etc are not grounds for a warrant.

I would also advise anyone growing illegally to have the number of a good defense lawyer with experience with marijuana law at the ready. If anything did ever go down, don't say a single word. Call your lawyer and have him meet you at the station or even at the grow location. While it would suck to have a crop ruined, you could still get the charges dropped when your lawyer has a judge deem the search/warrants illegal.

Also, grow some herbs on a window sil. Throw away your tomato/basil/rosemary trimmings, seed packs etc in your regular trash.

Remember. NEVER TELL ANYONE.

cheechako said:

It doesn't happen often, but once in a while, I'm glad I live in Alaska. Thanks for reminding me today!

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Why does being in Alaska matter? You still have local police and are subject to US federal laws?

Just curious!

ThirstyRoss said:

Why does being in Alaska matter? You still have local police and are subject to US federal laws?

Just curious!

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Alaska has murky laws, and it is "sort of" legal to have a small personal grow in a private home. Ravin v State, 1995, Supreme Court of Alaska. A later law confused the matter, but basically cops here ignore the minor stuff. And some odor or whatever at your front door is not probable cause. From my understanding of Ravin v State, finding empty nute bottles in the trash is not probable cause either. Still, though, I take basic precautions until if/when it is officially legal.

And, yes, just like everywhere - including WA and CO - federal law can trump state laws. But that matters once you're busted, not not always leading up to a bust.