With the Cannabis Act officially in place, more Canadians are starting to grow their own weed plants and asking themselves how many plants can a medical patient grow in Canada.
The new recreational laws allow for 4 plants per household in only some provinces.
Medical patients on the other hand have essentially no limits when it comes to plant counts.
In this article we will discuss the following topics related to how many plants a medical patient can grow in Canada:
- Why the 4 plant recreational limit is useless
- The solution for medical patients
- ACMPR plant counts for a medical patient growing in Canada
- How are plant counts determined for medical patients?
- The difference between indoor vs outdoor plant counts
- How to grow up to 463 medical marijuana plants in Canada
Would you like an ACMPR medical license to grow up to 500 plants at home?
4 Plants Per Household Canada
Nearly all provinces are following the 4-plant system, which allows Canadians to grow 4 plants from home. At first glance, legally being able to grow up to 4 plants per residence seems like a sweet deal.
But as soon as you invest the time, energy, and money into this tiny four-plant grow op, it will quickly become obvious that growing 4 plants just isn’t worth it. A lot of work is involved in growing weed from home, even for a small grow operation.
The other issue with the four-plant rule is that this number of plants is insufficient for a high percentage of medical patients. Four plants may sound like it has the potential to produce a fair amount of bud.
Image from 420magazine.com
But for someone who uses medical cannabis every day for treatment, it’s really not enough. The 4-plant limit is meant for recreational use, not for medical use. A medical patient suffering from chronic pain, ADHD or anxiety requires more cannabis on average than a recreational cannabis user.
To make it worth your while, it’s time to forget about the four-plant limit and move on to bigger and better things (and higher plant counts). Whether you’re looking to grow more than 4 plants per household in Ontario, BC, or Alberta, the best way to do it is with a medical grow license.
The Solution for Medical Patients
Medical patients require regular use of cannabis on a daily basis, so the low 4 plant limit is useless to them.
For Canadians wondering how to grow medical cannabis, there’s an easy way to solve the 4-plant problem.
All you have to do is apply for an ACMPR license to grow or renew your existing license.
We’ll get into the details on how many plants a legal medical grow license allows in Canada and how to get started below.
How Many Plants Can a Medical Patient Grow in Canada with an ACMPR license?
The amount of plants a medical patient can grow with a valid license is essentially unlimited.
Technically this is true, but there are few factors that put a cap on your medical grow license.
You have to keep in mind that Health Canada would never approve a licence for an “infinite” plant count, so a limit is necessary.
What Are the Penalties for Growing More than 4 Plants in Canada?
If you’re thinking about growing more than 4 plants at home without an ACMPR license, think again. Depending on the circumstances, the penalties for growing more than 4 plants in Canada can be pretty severe. There are 3 potential outcomes for cultivating over the limit without a license.
The best case scenario is that you’ll simply get a “ticket” from local authorities. This is typically the case if you’re caught with just a few plants over the limit. These tickets range in cost, but the lowest you’ll likely have to pay is about $200.
For anyone who breaks cannabis laws by growing well over the recreational limit could be convicted of a criminal offence. This could get you up to 6 months in prison or a $5000 fine.
Worst case, you’re looking at spending a maximum of 14 years in prison. This is highly unlikely, but it’s still a possibility for anyone who is caught growing thousands of plants over the limit – and even worse, selling it illegally.
Get started on your medical grow license today!
Step 1: Enter your email to book your ACMPR license appointment today
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How are Plant Counts Determined for Medical Patients?
The main determining factor is the prescription you receive from your medical doctor.
Your plant count directly relates to the amount of grams your doctor prescribes you per day.
The higher the gram amount, the higher the plant count.
Indoor Plant Counts vs Outdoor Plant Counts
The number of plants you’re allowed with a medical license to grow also depends on where you plan on growing.
Health Canada allows for more indoor plants since these tend to be much smaller in size than outdoor plants.
When you apply, you’ll be required to check a box for whether you plan on growing indoors, outdoors, or a combination of the two.
In addition to your prescription size, this will help determine your number of plants.
Below you can find the exact breakdown of plant counts for indoor, outdoor, and combination growing.
Breakdown of indoor plant counts depending on prescription size
- 10 grams = 49 plants
- 30 grams = 146 plants
- 50 grams = 244 plants
- 80 grams = 390 plants
- 95 grams = 463 plants
Breakdown of outdoor plant counts
- 10 grams = 19 plants
- 30 grams = 57 plants
- 50 grams = 95 plants
- 80 grams = 152 plants
- 95 grams = 181 plants
Breakdown of indoor & outdoor plant counts
- 10 grams = 37 indoor plants and 10 outdoor plants
- 30 grams = 110 indoor plants and 29 outdoor plants
- 50 grams = 183 indoor plants and 48 outdoor plants
- 80 grams = 292 indoor plants and 76 outdoor plants
- 95 grams = 347 indoor plants and 91 outdoor plants
Growing a combination of both indoor and outdoor plants allows you to take advantage of the warm weather growing season.
The perk of applying for an indoor/outdoor combo is that you won’t have to stop growing during the cold Canadian winter months.
Why is 95 Grams per day the Limit at Cannabis Growing Canada
Our doctors at Cannabis Growing Canada cap off prescriptions at 95 grams per day.
We have found that Health Canada responds well to 95 gram prescriptions and lower.
These applications have faster turnaround times compared to applications higher than 95 grams per day.
How to Grow up to 463 Medical Marijuana Plants in Canada
There are four main steps for receiving your medical licence to grow cannabis in Canada.
Here’s what they are:
1. Submit Your Information
First you’ll need to submit some basic info about yourself to Cannabis Growing Canada.
Once this is done we will give you everything you need to know about applying and set you up with a doctor.
2. Skype with a Doctor
Finding a compassionate and experienced doctor is half the battle.
With us, the work will be done for you. We’ll schedule your appointment that is done via Skype and takes no longer than 5 minutes.
No matter what your medical condition is, you’ll have a say in how many grams per day you are prescribed.
Our doctors actually listen, and if 95 grams/day is what you’re hoping for that’s what you’ll get.
3. Mail Your Documents
Shortly after your appointment you will receive the Doctor’s prescription in the mail.
You’ll mail this in along with the required Health Canada forms.
Remember to specify whether you plan on growing indoors, outdoors, or a combination of the two.
4. Receive Your License
This is the fun part! Once Health Canada has processed your application, you’ll receive your official Health Canada legal grow license in the mail.
This puts you in the clear to start growing up to 463 medical plants at home.
Can I grow my own medical plants?
Just follow our steps on how to grow medical marijuana and you’ll be growing your own medical plants in no time.
Even if you have never had a medical cannabis prescription in the past, that won’t stop you from growing your own medical plants.
There are so many reasons to start growing your own medical marijuana, and we can help you with the entire process.
Don’t forget to check out our ACMPR calculator to find out exactly how much you can grow, have a read of our article on MMPR here.
If you would like more information on the prices, and exactly how we can help, please enter your information below for an automatic reply with tons of information.
Ivana Balaz says
Are plants that are seedling and in veg considered marijuana plants?
cannbis-admin says
Yes they are, all the more reason everyone needs high plant count!
Blake christopher says
What about drug testing can i get a prescription with cocaine in my urine?
cannbis-admin says
There is no drug testing for prescriptions
Beth Stubbs says
My mother has a medical marijuana card , can I grow plants for her on top of the legal amount of four per household ? If so up to how many plants ?
cannbis-admin says
You will need a prescription to grow from us. Enter your email on the page for more info about the ACMPR license :)
l. wells says
if your script says for example 30-50 dried grams how will health canada respond?
cannbis-admin says
A script wouldnt say that, email us and we can get you a real script
Dan says
Hello, i have a criminal offense for “dui” in 2004. I had applied for a record suspension in July of 2019. I am expecting to get clearance in the next few months of this year. I am eligible to apply and obtain a amcpr license? I have a medical condition. Need help please and thanks
cannbis-admin says
Yes! This mainly affects those who want to be a designated grower for others. If you want to be a personal medical grower, Health Canada will ask that you “attest” you haven’t been convicted of a cannabis related offence in the last 10 years. The key word here is “attest”, they are asking you to be honest, in reality they only know what you tell them.
Ryanboutin says
What is considered growing indoors can a fenced in area b consider indoor or does it have to b a green house??
cannbis-admin says
Indoor = Inside
Brittney Minett says
Is it hard to grow the plants? How long does the process take?
Craig says
Is a greenhouse considered indoors or outdoors?
cannbis-admin says
There is no definition of ‘greenhouse’, or ‘indoor’ or ‘outdoor’, in the Cannabis Regulations. Generally, Health Canada considers indoors to be located within a building with a roof and walled structure built for permanent use.
Garebear says
Can you grow indoors if you are a renter
cannbis-admin says
Yes you can
Paulio says
If I have an ACMPR for 49 indoor plants, is my wife still allowed to grow four plants outside under the general provisions of the cannabis act
cannbis-admin says
Yes!
Kris says
If I have a current licence, can my wife still grow her 4 recreational plants?
cannbis-admin says
Yes!
Lil Joe says
When is it classed a plant when it has fruits on it? Or from a seed?
cannbis-admin says
As soon as it has roots its a plant
Matt says
I am currently on high dose of cecemet(synthetic thc) my doctor wants me to smoke cause the pills are doing alot of damage to my organs. Please email any info on if your company can help.( I am looking into all sujections my doctor told me to look into
ron tippett says
what is the strain you send to grow
cannbis-admin says
We are a licensing consultant, we do not send any strains
Marlene says
How many medical marijuana license holders grow on a property
cannbis-admin says
You can have four licenses at one address. Two would be for residents of that address, and they would each be a designated grower for someone else.
As an example, a husband and wife both get a personal license to grow. Then, their 2 adult chidden get a prescription and designate one of each of their parents. This works for friends as well, none of the prescription holders need to live at the address.
Marlene says
Thankyou for clarifying that for me . Just one more question if you don’t mind . I have two tenants wanting to grow for medicinal use . I’m also a tenant of the same property . Can I acquire a prescription and licence to grow for my self also or would I have to designate one of the tenants to grow for me . Or is this not allowed at all ?
Angel says
How many different clients may I grow medical marijuana for in B.C at one time?
cannbis-admin says
None. This is a PERSONAL medical license.
Aden says
Can an indoor and outdoor mixed license be done simultaneously for example can I have 29 outside and 110 inside at the same time with the mixed license or do the indoor need to be taken down while outdoor are out?
cannbis-admin says
No, has to one or the other at any give time
Nancy Moisan says
You are suggesting getting a license but not informing of municipal bylaws. This is straining relationship between neighbours when it is taken to court and budget for municipality. Check bylaws before getting into this
cannbis-admin says
Municipal bylaws do not apply to ACMPR license holders. That would go against the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms by denying reasonable access to your medicine you need.
janet says
I need someone to call me, so I can explan my paper work I got or my medical document, that I got. I don’t spell or explan what i need by writing it, could someone call me.
cannbis-admin says
Hi Janet
I suggest you google the phone number and call health Canada. They will walk you through exactly what to do
wayne says
i have arthritis and would like to grow my own and try it out as I hear it helps so many people but I cannot afford the meds without growing the plants myself. Can i still get a licence to grow even though I dont use the stuff at the present time.
cannbis-admin says
Absolutely! Just drop your email into the website and we will help you out :)
Barbara says
Need info on acquiring seeds and how to grow
Lynn says
If your boyfriend has a Medicinal license to grow plants, does he have to live at the residence where he is growing them?
cannbis-admin says
He grow elsewhere but has to fill out the HC forms correctly
AJ says
If I have two ACMPR licences – one for myself and one for a friend who has designated me to grow for him – what costs can I legally recoup from him without being considered a seller? I’m not talking profit, as I’m assuming that will put me into the seller category. I’m thinking costs associated with growing.Utility, equipment, testing, labour? Thanks!
cannbis-admin says
HI AJ, thats more of a question for Health Canada. We aren’t family with the specific of recoiupling costs from a DG, but they are experts and will know for sure. We can however help you guys with your next licenses!
Garth says
Do. You help with the papers from health Canada and the prescription I send in.
author says
We help you get your prescription. Just email [email protected]
Peter says
I have a license for 25 plants and I am a renter, am I still allowed to grow the plants?
Peter says
If I have a medical license for 25 plants am I considered a ‘grow op’?
Ed Thompson says
Hello, Why would someone need 95 grams or over 400 plants for personal use?
just trying to figure out why someone would need that much weed per day if we can’t sell it or share it?
Xena says
If my apartment rental lease says I can’t grow marijuana does that apply to the ACMPR license as well?
author says
Nope! It is your medical right to grow if licensed by Health Canada
Xena says
Thanks. Is storage of dry flower regulated under ACMPR to not exceed 150 g? What’s the point of growing many more plants if ACMPR only allows you to store 5 ounces?
R Jackson says
Can international students apply for ACMPR license?
author says
Hi there! Please drop your email into the form above to chat with one of our specialists and they can answer all you questions :)
Franzi says
Is a non-citizen allowed to grow 4 plants of non-medical cannabis (status: one officially protected person under the refugee act and one tourist who are preparing their application for permanent residency)?
And for the future after receiving PR: Is a non-citizen with PR allowed to get a medical prescription (or even without PR status?)?
Can a permanent resident apply for a cannabis license to sell?
Thank you in advance :)
author says
Hi there! Please drop your email into the form above to chat with one of our specialists and they can answer all you questions :)