All medical marijuana that is grown outdoors in this state must comply with Michigan House Bill 4851, which amended the MMMA.
According to these rules, all outdoor cultivation must not be “visible to the unaided eye from an adjacent property when viewed by an individual at ground level or from a permanent structure” and must be “grown within a stationary structure that is enclosed on all sides, except at the base, by chain link fencing, wooden slats, or a similar material that prevents access by the general public and that is anchored, attached or affixed to the ground, located on land that is owned, leased, or rented by the registered patient or caregiver and restricted to that grower’s access.
6 tips to help you stay in compliance when growing outside:
1. Always grow on your own property, or property that you have the proper permission to grow on. If you rent the property you wish to grow on, be sure to check with the landlord, as under current law, landlords have the right to deny you permission to cultivate marijuana.
2. Make sure your grow is secured on all sides and cannot be seen by anyone unless they are on your property. Fencing around your greenhouse or other grow structure is the best solution. Chain link fence will do, but you may need to acquire translucent material to line the fences. Just on leaf popping out counts as being non-compliant, so be sure to give your plants plenty of room to grow.
3. Secure your fencing to the ground. Fencing must be secured in such a fashion that prevents unauthorized access. If you are growing on a concrete slab, secure your posts with high impact concrete screws. If you are building your structure on bare earth, use 4x4 posts every four to six feet around the grow structure. Using a post hole tool, dig two foot deep post holes and use quick setting concrete to secure the posts to the ground. For further explanation on this topic, look into a DIY guide to deck building. Be sure to secure the posts to the grow structure so that nothing can lift it.
4. Put something on top of your grow structure, such as chicken wire. This will keep you in compliance for both structural integrity, as well as preventing your plants from growing too high and being seen from a distance.
5. Use motion sensor floodlights, security cameras, and watch dogs for added security. If somebody breaks into your growing operation, not only will you lose your crop, but you can be assured that your security system will be the first thing to be investigated.
6. Finally, do not tell anyone that does not need to know. This seems like common sense, but more grows are stolen as a result of bragging to friends than anything else.
