To grow or not to grow (using my home)?

[t7rln]

Hello Folks,

I have to say that I am deeply grateful for such an amazing accumulation of contributed information. The general feel of this forum is definitely that of kindness, and creativity.

Thanks for that, and I vow to give as much as I can back to this community (as soon as I know enough to be useful to others):nod

So, I will say that I am considering a grow, following closely as possible the recent Under Current grow diary posted by Texas Kid.

I know there are tons of details that I will need to figure out along the way, and without being a burden to others, hopefully find some help and assistance here.

I have a few options as far as growing space, and a few questions that will affect the way I do things.

My first option is to grow in my house. I am a bit concerned about using my house however, as it has .5M equity in it, and I have neighbors who are very very official, like on a federal level.

I am in the Bay Area CA, and I would like to know how much of a risk I am taking with my house, even though I will stay within my legal limits. I have an apt. with an attorney tomorrow who should be able to shed light on this for me. If anyone has confident insight into this, I would love to hear it.


T7rln

 

[SkyHi]

How did it go with the attorney?

 

[Pow3rBaLL]

If your aren't 100% positive about growing, then dont even do it. i have made this mistake a lot of times only to end up destroying some top shelf genetics before harvest. if u aint comfortable, it aint gonna work. its killin me again that my situation now is keeping me from growing again, its really killin me.

 

[ncga]

so your in the low rent area LOL

IF you are legal no problem. It is really only when you have a lot of toys and WAY out of the limits do you have a problem. They like things they can use or is cash. Why do they want to try and sell a house, in this market

nc

 

[t7rln]

I was referred to a more local attorney and still waiting for a return call. I did talk to the County Health Dept. (where I will get my card), and he was very knowledgeable, answered every one of my questions without a second thought. He told me that in Contra Costa County the number of plants is a judgment call by the LEO. Maybe that is how it is everywhere (still learning the difference between what the law says and how it is applied). He then told me that he has never heard of one bust for too many plants in Contra Costa County. I like that.

I learned that power bypass is a first degree misdemeanor, and restitution is the only common recourse. I am considering it, but still not sure about it morally speaking, from the inside.

Thanks for the insight ncga.

T7

 

[t7rln]

If your aren't 100% positive about growing, then dont even do it. i have made this mistake a lot of times only to end up destroying some top shelf genetics before harvest. if u aint comfortable, it aint gonna work. its killin me again that my situation now is keeping me from growing again, its really killin me.

Doesn't everyone have a few doubts before their first grow? (This is a completely serious question and not sarcastic at all).

I do have another option...which would be to grow in a place that is not my property, but build out would be a lot more to deal with, and a lot less profit.


T7

 

[Seamaiden]

I'm adding my more than two cents here because I've been both a landlord with a renter who grew in our home and am now a grower growing both in my home (basement) and on the property.

If you're going to grow, grow in your own home or on your own property. Period. The renter destroyed our house, which he moved into as a brand new construction. We even painted to his liking, and the son of a bitch still trashed the place.

If you are a med patient and Contra Costa county has not voted on plant limits, then that should not be a problem. The bigger issue would be the same as mine (I'm in Cali as well, but in a decidedly 420-UNfriendly county), which is how LE would treat you, especially because of what that person on the phone told you (plant limits an LE call? WTH?). My advice is to keep it small, keep it on the down low, and use odor control if your neighbors are close. I keep my nose clean and my house cleaner, if you get my drift.

 

[t7rln]

@ Seamaiden - I sure appreciate your taking the time to post rather than to not. Thank you.

The other property that I am considering is a relatives greenhouse, and she would be in on the grow, so this is not the typical situation of landlord and tenant.

I wouldn't be the renter who trashes a place as you describe, and I am sorry that there are people who choose to treat others' property with such disrespect. I am a landlord as well, and I have been screwed by tenants.

The decision as to which place I grow will be based on the property that has the lowest risk.


Thanks,

T7

 

[t7rln]

Oh just to complete communication loops, I spoke with the marijuana attorney today. It was clear to me that he knew very little in the area that I was seeking information. I wanted to know the temperature of the County that I was in. Things like how aggressive is LE against growers here in Co Co County. He is a pot attorney and seemed to be giving me his fatherly advise of "I don't recommend that you make your money by growing pot. You could be killed or robbed by stepping on someones else territory...etc."

Not much help. I will continue to seek legal insight.

T7

P.S. When will I be able to post without my post needing bot approval? Hmmm.

 

[Midnight_son]

After 10 posts they will appear instantly. Just be careful man, a 1/2 mil in equity is a lot to lose.:cash

 

[Seamaiden]

Ten or fifteen I think is the magic number here.

I'm legal and have already had my grows robbed, twice successfully, and twice unsuccessfully. Because we have neighbors who are former LE in our county they apprised us of the climate in our county and informed us that if we reported the thefts, even being well within my numbers (this was before the 9th's decision overturning most of AB420), that *I* would be the one most closely examined and scrutinized.

That blows my mind. I have absolutely no record. I pay my bills. I raised my kids. My vehicles are always registered and taxes paid. I don't even get traffic tickets. But *I* am the one who would be treated like a criminal if I went to police for help. And so, we're handling it ourselves with fencing and extra security.

As for the greenhouse, honestly, I would LOVE to get a chance to grow in a greenhouse, with the caveat that in good weather the roof can be moved back to allow direct sunlight.

So... You're staying in the landlord business, eh? We sold the place after spending several thousand dollars just to repair and will likely never do it again.

 

[t7rln]

After 10 posts they will appear instantly. Just be careful man, a 1/2 mil in equity is a lot to lose.:cash

Thanks for the concern brother. If I do it here it will be on the wayyyy down low.

@ seamaiden - Four times? Wow That is not cool, at all. How do you figure people are finding out?

I just evicted my tenant and won't be renting again. I am sure you understand, and I don't need to elaborate.

Do you mind disclosing which county belongs to that magic number of 10-15?


Thanks

T7

 

[FileError404]

I learned that power bypass is a first degree misdemeanor, and restitution is the only common recourse. I am considering it, but still not sure about it morally speaking, from the inside.

Don't even consider it. People get busted that way. You want to do something legal with illegal means? Much easier for them to consider the grow illegal, too...Just pay your bill.

Best of Luck!

 

[Seamaiden]

Thanks for the concern brother. If I do it here it will be on the wayyyy down low.

@ seamaiden - Four times? Wow That is not cool, at all. How do you figure people are finding out?

I just evicted my tenant and won't be renting again. I am sure you understand, and I don't need to elaborate.

Do you mind disclosing which county belongs to that magic number of 10-15?


Thanks

T7

Sorry, the 10-15 was regarding post count.

As for the ripping, not people, person. Long story, has to do with some folks a neighbor hired to maintain his landscape.

Totally understand about the tenant thing, totally.

 

[t7rln]

Don't even consider it. People get busted that way. You want to do something legal with illegal means? Much easier for them to consider the grow illegal, too...Just pay your bill.

Best of Luck!

Thanks for the advice. Can you elaborate as to how power tap leads to discovery of a grow? Seems to me that a $2000 power bill would draw more heat (little pun intended):party0044:

Thanks,

T7

 

[JACKMAYOFFER]

Thanks for the advice. Can you elaborate as to how power tap leads to discovery of a grow? Seems to me that a $2000 power bill would draw more heat (little pun intended):party0044:

Thanks,

T7

NEVER STEAL POWER. This will turn your grow if it was ever found in to a much bigger deal then it would of been if you where paying your electric bill..And if you think your electric bill will be $2,000 dollars you are way off way way off...JACK

 

[t7rln]

NEVER STEAL POWER. This will turn your grow if it was ever found in to a much bigger deal then it would of been if you where paying your electric bill..And if you think your electric bill will be $2,000 dollars you are way off way way off...JACK

Hi Jack, you have my attention and respect (from all that you have contributed here). I am here to learn so I appreciate the time that you have taken to respond. Can you elaborate on the details of the 'much bigger deal'? This is information that I need to make a decision.

Also, I am interested in a completely sealed room, split AC, and all that goes with that. Still not close to $2K/month?

Thank you sir,

T7

 

[bowlpacks]

NEVER STEAL POWER. This will turn your grow if it was ever found in to a much bigger deal then it would of been if you where paying your electric bill..And if you think your electric bill will be $2,000 dollars you are way off way way off...JACK

Yup, stealing power will fuck you fo sho. Do not do it. A dude here in Co got bumped and the feds said that if he is convicted (and he will be because he had his op on the NEWS) they will take his house. I think they said it was worth around 650k. If you've got a half mil in equity and investment properties I would keep doin' what your doin', bro. Otherwise I would grow in the greenhouse. If you were to get bumped the feds wouldn't be able to take your house because you bought and maintained it with legit money. (I assume)
It sounds like you've got alot to lose. Keep your assets far far away from any commercial grow and you'll be fine, but if you get popped with a grow in a house worth over 500k then your using that house in the commission of a crime and they LOVE taking that shit.
Just my 2 cents. Be safe and good luck.:cool0010:

 

[bowlpacks]

I'm legal and have already had my grows robbed, twice successfully, and twice unsuccessfully. Because we have neighbors who are former LE in our county they apprised us of the climate in our county and informed us that if we reported the thefts, even being well within my numbers (this was before the 9th's decision overturning most of AB420), that *I* would be the one most closely examined and scrutinized.

That blows my mind. I have absolutely no record. I pay my bills. I raised my kids. My vehicles are always registered and taxes paid. I don't even get traffic tickets. But *I* am the one who would be treated like a criminal if I went to police for help. And so, we're handling it ourselves with fencing and extra security.

SHOTgun! ;)

 

[Seamaiden]

There is no way I'm going to mix firearms with my grow. No way in hell.

Hi Jack, you have my attention and respect (from all that you have contributed here). I am here to learn so I appreciate the time that you have taken to respond. Can you elaborate on the details of the 'much bigger deal'? This is information that I need to make a decision.

Also, I am interested in a completely sealed room, split AC, and all that goes with that. Still not close to $2K/month?

Thank you sir,

T7

You in PG&E territory? It won't take much to blow that $2K/mth figure. Say... about four 1K lights, fans, and A/C should put you right about there, including your normal household power usage. Don't forget that nifty tiering system they use! 300% above baseline puts charges at something like $.50/kwh.